Obinna Ekezie Jr., one of the most coveted prospects in the Class of 2027, is drawing national attention—and Kentucky is firmly in the mix. The 7-foot big man recently opened up about his relationship with the Wildcats, his goals, and what he’s looking for in a college program.
Kentucky was one of the first blue-blood programs to extend a scholarship offer to Ekezie Jr., doing so in September 2024. That early trust has stuck with him. “Kentucky was my first blue-blood offer. I was very excited,” Ekezie told SI. “Coach Pope sees potential in me and wants to help me reach it.”
Ekezie’s connection with head coach Mark Pope has been building for a while. Pope, a former standout big man himself, has made it clear how much he values Ekezie’s game. He’s emphasized how Kentucky’s system will allow Ekezie to showcase his versatility—on both ends of the floor.
“He’s been telling me how they’d use me,” Ekezie explained. “We’ve talked about how last year’s bigs were utilized and how I could fit in even better.” Kentucky’s staff—including Pope, Jason Hart, and Cody Fueger—has remained aggressive in their pursuit, scheduling regular calls and planning future visits.
But the Wildcats are not alone. Programs like Ohio State, Kansas, Auburn, Miami, Georgetown, and Maryland are all expressing strong interest. Despite the attention, Ekezie is focused on finding the right fit. His criteria include player development, early playing time, a coach who pushes him, strong fan support, and a clear plan for how he’ll be used on the court.
“I want to be a one-and-done player,” he said. “So wherever I go, I need to know I’ll be developed and put in the best position to succeed.”
Ekezie also highlighted areas of his game he’s working to improve—especially his shooting. Known for his defense, rebounding, and passing ability, he wants to become a complete, modern big who can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions.
Now playing for Southeastern Prep in Florida, Ekezie continues to rise up recruiting boards. Ranked as a top-five prospect nationally and arguably the No. 1 center in his class, he’s in no rush to make a decision. But with Kentucky’s early offer and consistent presence, the Wildcats are clearly in strong position.
