A family affair: Chisom Okpara reunites with sister on the Farm

Few schools in the country offer the academic opportunity and pool of athletic talent that Stanford does. There are many reasons a prospective student-athlete could be lured to the Farm. Add in the potential to compete at the same school as your sibling, and the logic seems clear. In many ways, this story resonates with junior forward Chisom Okpara, former Harvard basketball star and new transfer addition to the Stanford men’s basketball team.

This summer, Okpara became part of Stanford’s first class of undergraduate basketball transfers since 2009. Okpara was Harvard’s second-leading scorer last season, averaging 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in the 26 games he played.

While the California sun and storied history of Stanford athletics offered Okpara reasons to join the Farm, one factor may have been decisive. By choosing Stanford, Okpara would join his sister, Chidimma Okpara, at the Farm, who plays for the Stanford women’s tennis team. Okpara entered the portal on April 30, and by May 24, he had made his decision. 

“It was a pretty easy decision, transitioning from Harvard to Stanford,” Okpara said.

Choosing the Cardinal also meant making the trek out to California and adjusting to life over 2,600 miles across the country. Like Okpara, Chidimma transferred to Stanford from an Ivy League institution, moving to Stanford in 2023 after playing four years at Dartmouth College. Both siblings are also from New York.

For Okpara, having a sibling and already knowing members of the team made the move out West easier. 

“It was a seamless and easy transition,” Okpara said. “I feel like I had family out here…It’s awesome to have my sister here, 3,000 miles away from home.” 

The sibling dynamic was almost immediately apparent, as Chidimma helped Okpara get acquainted with the campus and the Stanford lifestyle, he said. 

“She showed me around campus…[she’s] like a mother away from home, always looking after and always taking care of me,” Okpara said. 

Okpara said he hadn’t been at school with his sister in over 10 years. Their reunion at Stanford has provided a new opportunity in their relationship, he said. 

“We got closer for sure and we do more things together,” Okpara said.  

Although Okpara is the younger of the two siblings, he will bring veteran experience to the Stanford squad. As a junior, Okpara hopes to bring leadership to the team in their debut ACC season. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, Okpara has the ability to go downhill to the basket while also shooting an efficient 47.9 percent from the floor.  

“[I want to use] my ability to get to the rim, draw fouls and draw defenders, kick out to my teammates and also be a good leader,” Okpara said. 

With a new head coach, a new conference and new teammates, Okpara and the rest of the Stanford men’s basketball team will be looking to make their mark in a new environment. The team’s opener will be on Nov. 4 against Denver, with Cardinal fans cheering the team on from the stands of Maples Pavilion. 

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