 In 2002, he won the award for "Most Spectacular Player" at the Spanish All-Star Game.Okulaja had three different attempts to join the NBA; his first training camp experience was with the Philadelphia 76ers, then with the San Antonio Spurs, and finally the Utah Jazz, but was unable to make an NBA roster.In 2008, he was diagnosed with a spinal tumor and had to go into a one-year long therapy.