Five-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr. has committed to Louisville and will reclassify to 2026, he told Rivals.
The 7-foot big man out of Southeastern Prep (FL) was ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the 2027 class and the No. 1 overall center in the Rivals Industry Ranking. He will now will suit up for Pat Kelsey’s squad this season, choosing the Cardinals over a final group of Arkansas, BYU, Kentucky, and Maryland.
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Ekezie joins a loaded recruiting class for Louisville, joining Kansas transfer center Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer point guard Jackson Shelstad, Iowa transfer forward Alvaro Folgueiras, Arkansas transfer wing Karter Knox, Dayton transfer guard De’Shayne Montgomery, and USC transfer center Gabe Dynes.
Ekezie on his commitment to Louisville
Obinna Ekezie Jr. discussed his decision to choose the ‘Cards with Rivals.
“I chose Louisville because it has everything I need in terms of winning and development. I have a great opportunity to develop and showcase my game at both the 4 and 5 alongside Flory Bidunga. Louisville already feels like home to me and we’re going to be an incredibly competitive team. We’re striving to win a National Championship.”
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What made him decide to reclassify and enroll in college a year early?
“After my high school season, I evaluated the rewards and risks and felt college was the right move for my development. I get to practice every day against elite competition and develop at a much faster rate. I want to compete at the highest level and this gives me the best opportunity to grow as a player.”
Along with his finalists, Ekezie also received offers from Michigan, Georgia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, USC, Miami, Villanova, Ohio State, Auburn, Kansas, Alabama and others.
He is the son of former NBA player Obinna Ekezie, who played for teams like the Wizards, Mavericks, Clippers, and the Hawks in the early 2000s. Before playing in the NBA, Ekezie played at the University of Maryland from 1995-1999.
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More on Obinna Ekezie Jr.
Rivals’ National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw has evaluated Obinna Ekezie Jr. in depth. Here’s what he previously wrote about the big man:
Ekezie makes his mark around the rim, on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he is the anchor, the player that the defense funnels toward and allows the perimeter players to gamble further up the floor.
Ekezie has natural timing, but he also does not get himself out of position much, keeping his plus wingspan high and his feet on balance and grounded. While he blocks his share of shots, what he does not get to he contests and makes clean sightlines difficult for opponents. Ekezie moves his feet well for a player his age and size. He can fluidly hedge, open up, and slide down while maintaining contact and recovering to the roll man.
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Ekezie makes his mark around the rim, on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he is the anchor, the player that the defense funnels toward and allows the perimeter players to gamble further up the floor.
Ekezie has natural timing, but he also does not get himself out of position much, keeping his plus wingspan high and his feet on balance and grounded. While he blocks his share of shots, what he does not get to he contests and makes clean sightlines difficult for opponents. Ekezie moves his feet well for a player his age and size. He can fluidly hedge, open up, and slide down while maintaining contact and recovering to the roll man.
