By SAM LANCE
FISHERS, IN — Obinna Ekezie Jr. hasn’t been in the United States for long, but he’s already made quite the name for himself.
Ekezie Jr. — the 7-foot, 220-pound big man from Lagos, Nigeria — transitioned to the United States in eighth grade. Back home, the big man developed at OBN Academy , which his father, former six-year NBA veteran Obinna Ekezie Sr., founded.
Fast forward to now, and Ekezie Jr. is one of the best sophomores in the nation, ranking No. 3 in the 247Sports class of 2027 rankings. He spent this past season with Prolific Prep and was the starting big man on a team that won the Grind Session World Championships and made it to the semifinals of Chipotle Nationals.
In two games at Chipotle, Ekezie Jr. averaged 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while playing against mostly seniors. He also shot 50% from the floor and totaled six blocks.
“I feel like a 7-foot mobile guy that can block shots and protect the rim,” Ekezie Jr. said of his skillset. “Score out the post. I’m developing my 3-point shot and stuff. I have touch from the free throw line. I can shoot. That’s what I feel like I am right now. A big time lob threat too.”
This summer, Ekezie Jr. will be playing with Vegas Elite, where he’ll have the opportunity to be “the guy” and showcase all facets of his skillset.
Recruitment wise, Ekezie Jr. had Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina (no offer) and UCLA out to see him during the high school season. Specifically, Mark Pope and Hubert Davis made appearances with the rest of the schools represented by assistants. The big man holds offers from other programs like Arizona State, Auburn, Cal, Houston, Stanford, Texas A&M and USC.
Here’s his breakdown of some of the schools involved:
Alabama: “They were at Tarkanian Classic I think. That’s where they offered me. They play fast. One of my big bros, Aiden Sherrell committed there. He’s doing well there too. Shoots threes, can get to the rim. That’s their type of playstyle, so great school.”
Kansas: “Kansas has been really good to me. They are at the games a lot. I feel like I have a decent relationship with the coach. He’s a really good coach and he’s a good guy too.”
Kentucky: “I really like Mark Pope too. Great guy. I like the offense.”
Michigan: “I love the way they play with their bigs. Their two big footers — [Danny] Wolf and [Vlad] Golden — that really opened my eyes to them. They haven’t extended an offer yet but it’s a good school.”
North Carolina: “Hubert Davis, great lineage. Great coach. Just a great place.”
UCLA: “UCLA is a great school too. I was really in contact with the an assistant [Nate Georgeton], so he’s a great guy.”
Ekezie Jr. hasn’t taken any visits yet and probably won’t until this coming fall.
“After AAU I’ll start planning those out, starting looking at recruitment and go deeper into it,” Ekezie Jr. said. “Right now, I’m not really thinking about recruitment.”
When he does start going on visits, Ekezie Jr. is looking for a place that feels like home.
“A place where it’s like ‘damn, I love this place,’” Ekezie Jr. said. “The fanbase nice. The area nice. Just a place where the coach going to make you feel like you belong too. And then the basketball fit is most important as well.”
Ekezie Jr.’s father played college basketball at Maryland, averaging 10+ points per game from sophomore to senior year. Ekezie Sr. was drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft (No. 37 overall). The biggest thing he’s taught his son?
“How to be a successful big man in any role, any setting you’re in,” Ekezie Jr. said. “How to have high motor, be consistent and do all the little things the big man needs to do.”
With the foundation of NBA blood and guidance, Ekezie Jr. is already turning heads on the court. But his potential is only beginning to unfold.
“Obinna has high-high level upside due to his length,” Prolific Prep head coach Ryan Bernardi told ZAGSBLOG. “Man, Obinna is going to be a heck of a player. His ability to protect the rim. His lob threat. His dad played in the NBA so his body is developing. Obinna is a hell of a prospect.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram
The post Blue Bloods headline recruitment of five-star sophomore Obinna Ekezie Jr. appeared first on Zagsblog .