UNC announces the passing of former Tar Heel forward Ademola Okulaja

Former North Carolina forward Ademola Okulaja has died, the program announced via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. Okulaja played for the Tar Heel for four seasons and passed away at the age of 46.

“Carolina Basketball is saddened to learn of the recent, premature passing of Tar Heel forward Ademola Okulaja (1995-99) at age 46,” the tweet said. “Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and teammates.”

Coming in as a recruit, Okulaja was part of the same class as Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison, where the three had immense success within the North Carolina program.

Okulaja played under two different head coaches while in Chapel Hill, first under Dean Smith and then Bill Guthridge. His best season came as a senior in 1998-1999, averaging 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Starting in every game, Okulaja helped North Carolina reach the NCAA Tournament as one of the team’s key players. His teammates voted Okulaja the team MVP on top of his first-team All-ACC honors.

During his junior season, while his role was not as significant, Ojulaja was a key member of the Tar Heels’ Final Four squad. He finished as the team’s second-leading rebounder with 5.6 per game and added eight points a night.

Professionally, Okulaja spent his career in Europe while also playing for the German national team. Able to represent his country in two FIBA World Cups, the Germans were able to win a bronze medal during the 2002 edition in Indianapolis alongside fellow superstar Dirk Nowitzki.

When it was time to compete in the Olympics in 2008, doctors found a cancerous tumor inside Okulaja’s spine, causing the end of his basketball career. Okulaja did not want to leave the game of basketball though, becoming an agent for NBA players after his playing career. Dennis Schroder of the Houston Rockets was one of his clients, among others.