Emeka Okafor feels like this is the right time.
He’s been out of the league for four years, but he isn’t ready to let go of basketball just yet.
Drafted No. 2 overall by the Charlotte Bobcats, the 2004-05 rookie of the year is just three days shy of being 35. A herniated disc in the center’s neck has kept him sidelined since 2013. Surgery was originally recommended for the injury, but he opted to go for “the natural path” — physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, and a lot of rest.
“Being back in this environment, being back in the NBA umbrella, with the guys, the team, talking to the press, just feels so good,” Okafor said Monday.