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Five-Star Center Obinna Ekezie Jr. Commits to Louisville, Reclassifies to 2026

He said Pat Kelsey's detailed development plan sealed his choice following a visit that felt like home.

Overview

  • Ekezie, who announced his choice Sunday, picked Louisville over Arkansas, BYU, Kentucky and Maryland and will move from the 2027 class to 2026.
  • The 7-footer is a consensus five-star and ranked No. 4 nationally in the 2027 class by 247Sports, with NBPA Camp measurements of 7-1 height, a 7-4.5 wingspan and a 9-4.5 reach.
  • He told ESPN he chose Louisville for Kelsey's plan to develop him at power forward and center, plus the campus visit that made the program feel like home.
  • He becomes a cornerstone for 2026–27 alongside transfers Flory Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad and Karter Knox, a group outlets say could form one of the nation's top frontcourts.
  • The son of former NBA center Obinna Ekezie Sr., he played at Southeastern Prep and previously lived in Louisville for a year, attending St. Raphael during eighth grade.