Okafor started off strong to begin his sophomore season, averaging 12.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 33.2 minutes in 26 games and reaching double-figure scoring 20 times and double-figure rebounds 17 times before being sidelined with the injury.

The second overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Okafor become the first draft pick in Bobcats history and became only the third player from an expansion team to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors after leading all NBA rookies with averages of 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds in 35.6 minutes.

Okafor stopped by BobcatsBasketball.com between practice sessions in Wilmington on Wednesday to chat live with fans. Check out what Emeka had to say about this year's team, what he does in his spare time and much more.

Neil (Charlotte): Emeka, All of Charlotte wants to know: How is the ankle? Is it at 100%?

Emeka Okafor: The ankle is fine. I've had a great day and half of camp. I'm really looking forward to the season and thanks for your concern.

---

Brian (D.C.): Even though your season was ended by an injury what was the most important thing you learned from your sophomore experience?

Emeka Okafor: Sometimes disappointments are part of life and you just have to bounce back from them. You can't get discouraged, you just have to overcome it. Any obstacles in your way, you just have to overcome that.

---

Josh: Hey Emeka, I was reading the paper yesterday and i saw that you had lost about 20lbs. Was that a goal or did it just happend because you didn't play for a long time?

Emeka Okafor: No. First of all, I lost about 10-15 pounds of muscle, which was on purpose, as I found out that bigger wasn't necessarily always better. I've kept my strength, but I will be much quicker on my feet. That's what we've concentrated on.

---

Justin(Indian Trail): Emeka, in your first two years as a pro, you had the unfortunate luck of suffering injuries that forced you to miss significant parts of the regular season. What types of things, if any, have you done to try and prevent these types of injuries from happening again?

Emeka Okafor: Well. last season was the first time I ever missed alot of time. Other than that, I've been very healthy. Just missing a game or two here or there. I'm always serious about my body and training and being prepared to physically play and barring another unforseen fluke injury, which can happen to anybody, I look forward to playing a lot of games this season and in the future.

---

Leandro: what do you think about new small forward walter herrmann

Emeka Okafor: Walter is pretty athletic and has a great shot. He can be a valuable addition to our team.

---

Rebecca (Charlotte): Just wanted to say first that I was a huge fan of yours at UCONN, so I am thrilled to have you play for the Bobcats! What do you like most about the town of Charlotte?

Emeka Okafor: Thank you for your enthusiam. Go Huskies! I just like how much the fans of Charlotte have embraced our team. It's also a very nice chill town, all year round it's a great place to be. But I've been most impressed with their support of our team.

---

Jon Wilkesboro: Emeka, Who is your favorite UConn alumni to play against and why? Have a great season!!

Emeka Okafor: Hmmm. I don't know. I don't really have a favorite. All of them.

---

Cathy(Raleigh,NC): What are some of the things that you do in your spare time?

Emeka Okafor: I like watching movies, I have a DVD collection of TV Series. I also like to read.

---

Leroy (High Point): If you could play any other sport besides basketball, what would you play?

Emeka Okafor: I think tennis would be pretty fun. (Ha-ha) Laughing.

---

Tom (NC): I've heard that you actually carry around a dictionary when you read books. Is that true?

Emeka Okafor: I did that like once or twice, but then, WHAM, it got all blown out of proportion.

---

Ben (Washington): I heard that you were working out with Hakeem this offseason. What's that been like? What have you learned?

Emeka Okafor: Yes, I did attend the Dream School this summer. It's great. I learn about game-time strategies. He is one of my biggest basketball idols so any information I can get from him, I use that to my advantage.

---

Russell (Cary, NC): Emeka, do you and Jake Voskuhl have a rivalry between Raymond Felton and Sean May? After all, Connecticut and UNC both won NCAA championships, and each school has 2 former players on the 'Cats roster!

Emeka Okafor: We don't really have a rivalry, as we're all a part of the same team on this level.

---

Charlotte, NC: The past three years we have seen a tremendous "recuiting class" of top colleagiate talent come to the Bobcats (yourself in '04, Felton and May in '05 and in '06 Morrison and Hollins). What do you feel are the most important factors for such a young team in the NBA to be successfull as a playoff contender?

Emeka Okafor: Just getting that experience. The more you play, the more you learn, the better you get. It's that simple. Experience.

---

Russell (Cary, NC): Emeka, which player on the Bobcats is the most underrated/under-publicized on the Bobcats?

Emeka Okafor: I think all of us. I don't think any of us get the shine we deserve. We're all hard workers and we understand we're a young team and we'll earn that respect by winning.

---

Tanesha( Greensboro,Nc): First I have to say that you have the cutest smile in the world! Where is your favorite place to travel?

Emeka Okafor: Thank you, very much. Europe is a nice place. I have a whole bunch of travel destinations. I'd like to hit up South America next.

---

JP(Monroe): Emeka, what has impressed you about Adam Morrison the most and why?

Emeka Okafor: His competitiveness. He has a real competitive fire on the floor. It's something to see in person.

---

Marissa( Los Angeles): On your off time, do you attend any other sports events?

Emeka Okafor: I just watched my Panthers whup up on the Saints! I hit a couple NASCAR events too, when possible.

---

Columbia, S.C.: What is the greatest need of the Bobcats to take them to the next level.

Emeka Okafor: The greatest need? We have the ability and we're a hardworking team, so that is something we can build on. We play hard day in and day out and we'll do what we can to make the playoffs.

Emeka Okafor: Thanks to everybody for chatting with me today and for supporting the NBA and the Bobcats. Come out to watch us play this season and we'll play very hard for you this season.