KZ Okpala facts for kids
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Okpala with Stanford in 2017
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| Small forward | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 28, 1999 Anaheim, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American / Nigerian |
| High school | Esperanza (Anaheim, California) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Stanford (2017–2019) |
| NBA Draft | 2019 / Round: 2 / Pick: 32nd overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Pro career | 2019–2023 |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2022 | Miami Heat |
| 2019–2020 | →Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 2022–2023 | Sacramento Kings |
| 2023 | →Stockton Kings |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Chikezie Jake "KZ" Okpala, born on April 28, 1999, is a talented American-Nigerian basketball player. He used to play professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for teams like the Sacramento Kings. Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
KZ Okpala was born in Anaheim, California. His parents, Martin and Mary Okpala, came from Nigeria. KZ started playing basketball when he was just four years old.
He didn't join a youth league at first. Instead, he played against adults at fitness clubs and parks. This helped him learn the game in a different way.
When he was in fourth grade, his family moved to Yorba Linda, California. There, he found a local club team to join. KZ also played football and baseball as a kid. By age 11, he decided to focus only on basketball.
High School Basketball Journey
Okpala went to Esperanza High School in Anaheim, California. He grew a lot during his high school years, from 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 8 inches tall. This growth helped him a lot in basketball.
He became a starter on the team in his second year. In January 2015, he made a game-winning three-pointer against El Dorado High School. As a junior, he was amazing, scoring about 23 points and grabbing 8 rebounds per game. He led Esperanza to a conference title and was named Crestview League Player of the Year.
In his final high school year, he got even better. He averaged 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. In November 2016, he scored 41 points in one game. He also set a school record with 46 points in another game against Crossroads School.
In March 2017, Okpala led Esperanza to win its first California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division II championship. He scored 22 points in that big game. He was again named Crestview League Player of the Year. Many colleges wanted him to play for them. He chose to go to Stanford in July 2016.
College Career at Stanford
KZ Okpala started his college basketball journey at Stanford. He missed the first 11 games of his first year because of school rules. But once he was cleared to play, he made his debut in December 2017.
In March 2018, he had his first "double-double," which means he scored double digits in two categories (points and rebounds). He scored 18 points and got 10 rebounds against Arizona State. As a freshman, he averaged 10 points per game.
In his second year, he started strong. In November 2018, he scored 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made 5 assists in a win against Seattle. He was even named Pac-12 Conference player of the week.
After his second year, Okpala decided to leave college early. He chose to enter the 2019 NBA draft to become a professional player.
Professional Basketball Journey
Playing for the Miami Heat (2019–2022)
In the 2019 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns picked KZ Okpala as the 32nd player overall. But soon after, he was traded to the Miami Heat. The Heat officially signed him in July 2019.
He played in a few games for the Heat but then missed many due to an Achilles strain, which is an injury to the back of the ankle. In December 2019, he also played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. This team is part of the G League, which is like a development league for the NBA. He played well there, averaging 11.7 points and 7 rebounds per game.
In February 2022, Okpala was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he was waived, meaning he was released from the team, just two days later.
Time with the Sacramento Kings (2022–2023)
In September 2022, KZ Okpala signed with the Sacramento Kings. He played for them for a while. In February 2023, he was waived by the Kings.
Playing for His Country
KZ Okpala also had the honor of playing for the Nigerian national basketball team. He represented his country at the 2020 Summer Olympics, which took place in 2021 due to a delay.
See also
In Spanish: KZ Okpala para niños
