Earlier this month, Ohio State Buckeyes big man Felix Okpara firmly announced his return to the Ohio State basketball team. But that announcement was very short-lived as he has since changed his mind.
On April 1, Felix Okpara announced on social media that he was returning for another season with the Buckeyes as he shared a graphic that included the words “I’M BACK” in big, bold letters with a message saying he was “100% committed to running it back” with Ohio State this upcoming season.
“I am excited and grateful to announce I am 100% committed to running it back with OSU and Buckeye Nation! Can’t wait to start a new chapter with Coach Diebs, my returning teammates, and the new staff and players to get Ohio State back to our rightful spot at the top of the Big Ten. Thank you for the love and support from the fans & fellow students and a special thanks to The Foundation, my family, and THE Ohio State University family for being with me through this amazing journey,” Okpara said.
But on Sunday, Okpara apparently changed his mind as he announced that he will instead be leaving the program and entering the transfer portal.
“Thank you Buckeye Nation for two amazing years,” he wrote in a post to Instagram. “Thank you for embracing me and supporting me through the ups and downs. … I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to have represented the Scarlet and Gray. As I thought of the player I want to become and the program moving forward in a new direction, I believe it is in my best interest to continue my pursuit of my dream at a different school.
“I wish Ohio State and especially Coach Diebs the best!”
Perhaps his original announcement was simply an extended April Fool’s joke.
