Tennessee
Felix Okpara battling hip pointer injury for Tennessee basketball
Felix Okpara is battling a “serious hip pointer” for Tennessee basketball, coach Rick Barnes said Monday.
Barnes said Okpara refuses to come out of practice, but the injury is bothering the Ohio State transfer. He played 25 minutes, scoring two points and grabbing nine rebounds in No. 12 Tennessee’s season-opening 80-64 win against Gardner-Webb at Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The 6-foot-11 Okpara is part of Tennessee’s starting five. Sophomore J.P. Estrella is the backup, but has been dealing with a foot injury throughout the summer. Barnes said Estrella did not go through shootaround with the Vols and ended up being a game-time decision.
“I think that is a major step for him,” Barnes said. “Is he 100%? No. But I thought his minutes were valuable for us tonight.”
Okpara averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 70 games in two seasons at Ohio State. He started 45 games and entrenched himself as the starting forward as a sophomore. He averaged 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds while blocking 82 shots.
Tennessee has 11 scholarship players this season. It was without two against Gardner-Webb as senior guard Darlinstone Dubar and freshman guard Bishop Boswell did not play.
Dubar, a senior transfer from Hofstra, was out due to a personal matter but is with the team. Boswell, a freshman guard, is in concussion protocol.
Barnes said Dubar’s “timetable is up to him.”
“Tough time for him personally,” Barnes said. “I think he has dealt with it for a while. We love him to death. We miss him. It is up to him. It is all on his time.”
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.