NBA Comparison: Khem Birch

Strengths: Nigerian-born center with excellent size, length, and physical tools for the modern interior role … Measured 6’11.5 barefoot, 234 pounds, with a 7’2.5 wingspan and elite 9’4 standing reach, giving him excellent play-finishing and rim protection tools … Good athlete who runs the floor hard, plays above the rim, and consistently generates easy offense through effort, positioning, and physicality … Thrives as a rim runner and vertical spacing threat, diving hard to the basket in pick-and-roll situations and finishing plays emphatically around the rim … Understands his limitations and consistently plays to his strengths, rarely forcing offense outside of his comfort zone while maximizing opportunities near the basket … Strong screener who gets low, embraces contact, and consistently creates separation for ball handlers … Excellent at sealing defenders and carving out deep post position, allowing himself easy baskets around the rim … Physical player who welcomes contact and can power through defenders for explosive finishes in traffic … Though not a featured scorer, he consistently impacts games through hustle, offensive rebounding, and efficient finishing around the basket … Displays flashes of a workable jump hook and improving comfort scoring through contact near the rim … Productive offensive rebounder who generates second-chance opportunities and extra possessions through effort and physicality … Good defender who protects the paint effectively, alters shots with his timing and length, and competes with physicality around the basket … Reliable rim protector who averaged at least 1.3 blocks per game in all four collegiate seasons … Mobile enough to operate in pick-and-roll coverage while bringing solid energy and activity defensively … Winning player who contributed to strong defenses at both Ohio State and Tennessee … High-motor big man who embraces dirty-work responsibilities and consistently competes.

Weaknesses: Offensive upside appears somewhat limited, as he projects more as a low-usage finisher than a player capable of creating offense for himself … Limited scoring package and remains heavily dependent on teammates and offensive structure to generate opportunities … Despite flashes of offensive growth, he never developed into a major offensive factor despite expanded opportunity and minutes over four collegiate seasons … Overall production plateaued somewhat during college, showing only moderate year-over-year offensive growth … Does not create offense off the dribble and lacks advanced self-creation ability in the post or face-up game … Shooting remains a major question mark despite converting 36.4 percent from three as a senior, as the sample size (4-of-11) was extremely limited and does not yet suggest real floor-spacing upside … Slow shooting mechanics reduce confidence in long-term perimeter projection … Career free throw percentages hovering in the low-to-mid 60s may be a more telling indicator of long-term shooting touch than low-volume three-point shooting … Lacks particularly soft touch around the basket outside of dunks, putbacks, and power finishes … Can appear limited offensively when unable to generate easy baskets near the rim … Though a good athlete, he is not an elite mover laterally and may face challenges defending quicker NBA spacing-oriented lineups in space … Older prospect who will be 22 entering the NBA, slightly lowering perceived developmental upside relative to younger frontcourt prospects … Projects more as a role player than a high-upside developmental big.

Outlook: Okpara projects as a likely second-round pick and rotational NBA center whose clearest pathway to success comes through defense, rebounding, screening, rim running, and physicality … Teams seeking a low-maintenance, high-energy backup center capable of protecting the rim, finishing efficiently, and embracing a dirty-work role should find appeal in his profile … While his offensive limitations likely cap his long-term upside, his size, athleticism, toughness, and willingness to consistently play to his strengths give him a relatively high floor as a reserve big … Could ultimately develop into a dependable backup center capable of carving out a long NBA career in the mold of a rim-running, defense-first interior presence if he continues improving his touch, defensive versatility, and feel offensively … Spent first two collegiate seasons at Ohio State before transferring to Tennessee, where he developed into a productive defensive-minded starting center … Production remained relatively steady throughout his four-year college career, showing moderate improvement but largely plateauing statistically despite expanded roles and minutes … Led Tennessee in blocks and field-goal percentage as a senior while tying for the team lead in rebounding … Finished with 69 dunks, ranking among national leaders and highlighting his effectiveness as an interior finisher … Ranked among SEC leaders in offensive rebounding and shot blocking throughout his senior season … Elevated his play during Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament run, recording a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double with three blocks against Iowa State in the Sweet 16 and adding 10 points and seven rebounds against Michigan in the Elite Eight … Recorded two 20-point performances during his senior season.

Notes: Measurements: 6’11.5 barefoot, 234 pounds, 7’2.5 wingspan, 9’4 standing reach … Senior season at Tennessee: 35 GP, 26.9 MPG, 59.7% FG, 36.4% 3PT (4-of-11), 63.5% FT, 6.3 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.0 TOPG, 8.0 PPG … Born: April 20, 2004 (Lagos, Nigeria) … Nigerian background, moved to the United States in 2018 after beginning basketball shortly before relocating … Did not begin playing basketball seriously until shortly before moving to the United States, having grown up playing soccer in Nigeria.

Aran Smith 6/15/26