Tennessee Basketball has acquired Felix Okpara.
The Vols made a major transfer portal addition to Ohio State on Thursday. UT originally recruited Okpala out of Chattanooga High School.
The 6-foot-11, 235-pound Okpara averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 70 games over two seasons at Ohio State. He started 45 games and established himself as a starting forward as a sophomore. He averaged 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds, and blocked 82 shots.
Felix Okpara fills a need in Tennessee basketball.
Okpala is an ideal player for Tennessee, which was in the market for a big man after its top two forwards entered the portal. Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka both entered the portal in early April, leaving Tennessee without its All-SEC forward and best rebounder, respectively.
That's why the Vols wanted Okpara to bring shot blocking and rebounding to a roster that needs both. He will likely start at Tennessee, but JP Estrella and Cade Phillips are expected to take on bigger roles as sophomores. Estrella played with more confidence late in the season.
Okpara played at Hamilton Heights in Chattanooga and spent his final year of prep at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri. He was teammates at Link Academy with current Vols guard Cameron Carr and former UT forward Julian Phillips.
Who are the players added to the Tennessee basketball team through the transfer portal?
Okpara is the second player to commit to UT from the portal. Tennessee added Hofstra guard Darinstone Duvar as its first transfer portal recruit.
Duver averaged 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and shot 39.9 percent from 3-point range as a senior at Hofstra last season. The 6-8, 211-pound guard was named to the All-Coastal Athletic Association second team.
How many scholarships are there in Tennessee Basketball?
Tennessee has four scholarships remaining after making personnel cuts in the offseason.
Tracker: Tennessee basketball transfer tracker: Who's on Rick Barnes' roster, who's out?
The University of Tennessee had three scholarships available for outgoing players Josiah-Jordan James, Dalton Knecht and Santiago Vescovi. Aidoo, Awaka, redshirt freshman guard Freddie Dilione V and DJ Jefferson entered the portal, and four more opened.
The Vols have one new signee in Bishop Boswell, a four-star guard from Myers Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mike Wilson covers the University of Tennessee athletics department. Email michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow us on Twitter @.Posted by Mike Wilson. If you like Mike's coverage, consider subscribing to him digitally for full access.