Despite multiple attempts early in his professional career, he was unable to extend his solid career into the NBA. Making the training camp squads of the Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, and Utah Jazz got him close from 2000 to 2003. In 2008, Okulaja was diagnosed with a spinal tumor but managed to return to action and conclude his professional basketball career in 2010. Following his playing days, he called basketball games for German television and was also an agent.