How Felix Okpara escaped international basketball's 'dark side' — and found family in TN

[kamoshika]

The last day Felix Okpara spent in Nigeria shook his nerves. The traffic through Lagos to Murtala Muhammed International Airport made him sure he’d miss his flight. His siblings sobbed. His mom helped get him organized. His dad met them in the terminal just in time to bid his 14-year-old son farewell. Okpara hugged his family and rifled through his documents one final time. He had his visa, his tickets and a packet with his most important papers. His heart sank with a parting glance from the security line. He saw his family weeping and waving. He was surrounded, but he felt alone. “I just remember looking back,” Okpara said. “It didn’t really hit me until I saw myself alone in the airport.”

Sixteen hours of flights transported Okpara to a life unimaginable. He plunged into the seedy underworld of handlers and middlemen running a form of human trafficking with African basketball prospects. He endured threats and fear on the opposite side of the world from his family, finding refuge with a second family in Chattanooga.

He discovered he was never alone on his route to Tennessee basketball.
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/spor...trafficking-adoption-chattanooga/76667988007/

 

[Cuonzoball]

Omgosh . . . what a fantastic story. I had no clue. My new favorite player!

 

[esarmstrong]

I really like this guy. His engine runs hot when he's playing. We really got a massive upgrade with this young man at his position.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Would really like to read this but unfortunately don’t have a KNS subscription.

 

[kamoshika]

Would really like to read this but unfortunately don’t have a KNS subscription.

I've never had a KNS subscription, not sure why you can't access but here's another source:
https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sp...trafficking-adoption-chattanooga/76667988007/

 

[JohnWardForever]

I've never had a KNS subscription, not sure why you can't access but here's another source:
https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sp...trafficking-adoption-chattanooga/76667988007/

Subscription required......Jackson Sun...

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Go Fund Me needed to bring his family to Knoxville next season.

 

[A.Vol70]

Would really like to read this but unfortunately don’t have a KNS subscription.

Here you go. This is how I read paywall articles. Site called archive today. It is a great read so I hope it works!

https://archive.is/YgxCQ

 

[wrangler]

Outstanding.

 

[Mikevol1964]

Here you go. This is how I read paywall articles. Site called archive today. It is a great read so I hope it works!

https://archive.is/YgxCQ

Thanks and it is a great read

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Wonder if Kennedy walks on here

 

[rocketskates]

Go Fund Me needed to bring his family to Knoxville next season.

If someone knows how to get this going, we all know how Vol Nation will respond.

 

[Wrangler95]

Great story and so happy it worked out so good for him!

 

[tennrich1]

God's providence is undeniable. So incredible that God had placed the desire for missions into the heart of the Levitt family. AND (as scripture tells us)...God will do far above what we can ask or think ...SO he ends up playing in the most secure family atmosphere in college basketball at Tennessee with Rick Barnes and Staff. Of course Rick has grandchildren (who he dearly loves) that were adopted from Africa and feels a unique connection with Felix and family. Thanks for posting. Very uplifting story!

 

[tennesseeduke]

The last day Felix Okpara spent in Nigeria shook his nerves. The traffic through Lagos to Murtala Muhammed International Airport made him sure he’d miss his flight. His siblings sobbed. His mom helped get him organized. His dad met them in the terminal just in time to bid his 14-year-old son farewell. Okpara hugged his family and rifled through his documents one final time. He had his visa, his tickets and a packet with his most important papers. His heart sank with a parting glance from the security line. He saw his family weeping and waving. He was surrounded, but he felt alone. “I just remember looking back,” Okpara said. “It didn’t really hit me until I saw myself alone in the airport.”

Sixteen hours of flights transported Okpara to a life unimaginable. He plunged into the seedy underworld of handlers and middlemen running a form of human trafficking with African basketball prospects. He endured threats and fear on the opposite side of the world from his family, finding refuge with a second family in Chattanooga.

He discovered he was never alone on his route to Tennessee basketball.
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/spor...trafficking-adoption-chattanooga/76667988007/

VFL now!

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Both the Levitts and the Okparas are really great families. Very glad both sides ended up finding each other

 

[lastlap]

Amazing story of two great families. Of all the horror stories we read about daily it’s GREAT to see one that works out for a change. Hopefully his family can rejoin their sons soon. God is good, all the time.

 

[EZE]

Goodness! Amazing stuff

 

[Sudden Impact]

I know this sounds odd, but this could be the year. Back Stories of players, Z, Okpara, and even the Lofton overdue story. More to come? Mashack still being here after contemplating leaving. Some talk of Barnes retirement.

Something about heart and soul when it comes packaged under God's purview. Behind the curtain, there has been a lot of chaos that only a family could deal with in the process. Although we go Okpara late it was God's way of fixing a wrong. Perfect place for him to be.

We are not always aware of as fans, but the right coach, the right teammates enables fellow teammates to walk down a path lined with setbacks. Can't do it without a family. God has a plan, it may not be to reach the FF or win a NC but the journey will be done with a Basketball family as well. Psalms 23.