Wizards Take the Safe Route in Selecting Second Round Role-Playing Big
Wizards Take the Safe Route in Selecting Second Round Role-Playing Big
The Washington Wizards opted for a classic rim-runner in Felix Okpara with their final pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, a decision that doesn't exactly fit their drafting style.Henry Brown|Nov 17, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers center Felix Okpara (34) reacts to a play against the Rice Owls during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
The Washington Wizards' odd of playing out an entire NBA Draft without any trade and pick movement would have been rare by their standards, but that's exactly the position they seemed to be preparing fans for midway through this past cycle's second round.
After shuffling selection slots in all three previous drafts with this present Wizards front office calling the shots, they'd done very little to bolster their asset trove following their choice to snag AJ Dybantsa first overall. Reports that they were attempting to add another first-rounder persisted in the weeks leading up to the draft, yet they remained tied to fringe picks in Nos. 51 and 60 as the lone supplements to the headlining spot.
That is, until just a few picks before they went back on the clock. That's when they swung a deal with the Orlando Magic in handing their Southeast Division-mates the two late-seconds in exchange for Tennessee center Felix Okpara, who'd just been taken 46th.
Felix Okpara gets selected as the 46th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft by Orland Magic.
He's the Wizards' 10th draftee of the last four combined summers, but Washington's never taken a flier on his specific brand of basketball.
Draft Goals Varying Based on Round
For one, Okpara is opposite Dybantsa as a prospect in just about every way imaginable. BYU's star forward oozes with raw upside; at 18 years old, his blend of athleticism, shot-making and creation captivated the Wizards' attention for them to take him above any other 2026 draftee, even if he still leaves some to be desired as a developing distance shooter and defender. Everything the draft's top picks are meant to provide to basement-dwellers is represented in Dybantsa.
Okpara, meanwhile, is already a known quantity, and we know that before he's logged a single minute alongside any of his new teammates. The 22-year-old is a pure "need" pick -- the Wizards could use another near-7-footer to eat occasional minutes behind brittle bigs Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr, as well as some general dirty work and physicality to aid the rest of the young corps.
Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers center Felix Okpara (34) attempts to shoot the ball on Virginia Cavaliers guard Dallin Hall (30) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
There isn't a ton to his game. He generally sticks to makeable shots at the rim, shooting between 58-60% from the floor across four collegiate seasons split between Tennessee and Ohio State, but this is an archetype that's been known to work at the NBA level within the right context, and arguably no point guard is better at utilizing and rewarding mobile pick-and-roll lob threats than Trae Young.
You may as well make Young's life easier mere days after signing him through the remainder of the decade, and Washington's coaching staff won't say no to a little more defensive versatility during the reserve minutes. Tristan Vukcevic and Julian Reese aren't reliable-enough two-way forces to earn consistent minutes, while Okpara, limited as he is as a scorer, demonstrated strong awareness as a rotating, rim-protecting and occasionally-isolating defender during his time as a Volunteer.
He won't be overwhelmingly-helpful on the boards, having wrapped up 6.3 as a college senior, and Okpara shouldn't expect any dramatic big league minutes jump in his road to cracking Washington's rotation.
A free agent center may, too, soon deepen the platoon, but this pick already reads like one of the most clear-cut evaluations of any prospect this iteration of the Wizards has ever offered a draft night hat to. More talented options may have been available, but this is someone with the physical tools to fill gaping holes on both sides of the paint alongside an already-blossoming, freshly-drafted unit.
Henry covers the Washington Wizards with prior experience as a sports reporter with The Baltimore Sun, the Capital Gazette and The Lead. A Bowie, MD native, he earned his Journalism degree at the University of Maryland.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
HENRY BROWN
