Biography

BIOGRAPHY

KZ Okpala was born April 28, 1999, in Orange County, California. He is a guard/forward in the NBA.

Okpala was born to Nigerian parents Martin and Mary Okpala, who settled in Orange County, California before his birth. He began playing basketball at age 4 but did not join a youth league because he found them unruly. Okpala grew up playing the game against adults at fitness clubs and parks. When he was in fourth grade, his family moved from Fresno to Yorba Linda, California, and he reached out to a local club team. Okpala also played football and baseball in his childhood before focusing on basketball by age 11.

Okpala was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 32nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft but was soon after traded to the Miami Heat. 

On September 14, 2022, Okpala signed with the Sacramento Kings.