UNC basketball alumnus Ademola Okulaja, who played four seasons with the Tar Heels and appeared in two Final Fours, passed away Tuesday, the program confirmed on Twitter. Okulaja was 46 years old.
Okulaja was part of some of the most exciting teams in Carolina basketball history, playing alongside stars such as Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter and Shammond Williams. That core led the Tar Heels to back-to-back Final Four appearances in 1997 and 1998. Okulaja started at least 30 games in each of his final three seasons with the program and averaged eight points per game during the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
His senior season in 1999, following the departures of Jamison, Carter and Williams for the NBA, was his best in a Tar Heel uniform. Okulaja averaged 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for head coach Bill Guthridge, shot 43 percent on three-pointers and was named first team All-ACC. He was also voted team MVP following the conclusion of the season.
After turning professional, Okulaja put together a successful career in Europe, including several seasons in his native Germany. He also played for the German national team in various international competitions as a teammate of NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzki. In 2008, Okulaja developed a tumor in his spine, but nevertheless continued playing after a one-year hiatus for therapy. He retired from basketball in 2010.
Tributes to Okulaja poured in on social media after news of his death was publicized.
“This is so painful,” said Carter on Twitter. “We’re going to miss you my boy. Without a doubt you have touched the lives of many with your kindness. One thing for sure you will not be forgotten.”
“My heart is breaking right now. Huge loss for the Carolina Family,” said former UNC forward Scott Williams, who graduated nine years ahead of Okulaja in 1990, but has remained close to the program ever since. “Ademola Okulaja was a great teammate and brother to us all.”
“The news that Ademola Okulaja passed away on Tuesday was jarring,” said Carolina basketball writer Adam Lucas in a tribute column to Okulaja, titled “Forever a Warrior.” “Okulaja was sometimes the one doing the dunking, but he was just as often the one making the key pass or the important steal that led to the jam — and then he was enjoying it just as much as the rest of us. ”
Okulaja’s cause of death has not yet been made public.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
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