Ike Opara (2025) - Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame - Wake Forest University Athletics

Ike Opara

Induction:
2025

An impact player from the start for the Demon Deacons, set program freshman records for starts (23) and appearances (26) while earning Soccer America first-team All-American honors as Wake Forest would win the 2007 NCAA National Championship
As a sophomore, his leadership helped lead Wake Forest to a third-straight College Cup appearance while being named the second ACC Defensive Player of the Year in program history, earning All-ACC honors and first-team All-American honors from TopDrawerSoccer and College Soccer News
Set career-highs in points (10), goals (five), and game-winning goals (two) during the season
Completed Wake Forest career in 2009, once again guiding the Deacs to the College Cup, while starting all 17 of his appearances and being selected as an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, Soccer America, College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer
Claimed ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year and was named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy
Finished decorated Demon Deacon career appearing in 65 matches with 62 starts before being selected with the No. 3-overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the San Jose Earthquakes
As a professional, appeared in 180 matches between the 2010-21 seasons, earning appearances with the Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United
Earned MLS Defender of the Year honors twice (2017 and 2019), MLS Best XI selections twice (2017 and 2019), two US Open Cup titles (2015 and 2017) and the MLS Cup in 2013
Earned a United States Men's National Team call-up in 2018 and played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.