Huskies Offer Top 2027 Big Man, Son of Former NBA Player

Originally posted on Washington Huskies on SI
By Dan Raley | Last updated May 17, 2025 3:06 PM ET

Give Danny Sprinkle credit for this: The University of Washington basketball coach doesn't have any problem aiming high when it comes to seeking elite talent.

On Saturday, Sprinkle's staff offered a scholarship to 7-foot, 220-pound Obinna Ekezie Jr., considered the top big man for the Class of 2027. According to 247Sports, he's the No. 3 player at any position in that group.

Ekezie, nicknamed "Obi," is the son of a former NBA player of the same name and a native of Lagos, Nigeria.

In this country for just a few years, he played last season for Prolific Prep Academy in Napa, California, where he was teammates with 6-foot-10 Niko Bundalo, once signed to the Huskies before the UW and that player went in different directions.

Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Washington Really appreciate the opportunity pic.twitter.com/AlYiOcr3YT
— Obi (@ObinnaEkezieJr) May 17, 2025

Ekezie's father similarly moved from Africa to the U.S. for his high school years. He ended up at a Massachusetts prep school before playing as a 6-foot-10, 275-pound big man for the University of Maryland, five NBA teams and finishing up overseas.

The son appears to be very advanced, offering both an inside game and a perimeter shot. Naturally, all of the major players in college basketball are interested in this guy. He currently holds a dozen offers, which include Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio State and UCLA.

2027 | Obinna Ekezie Jr. | #RLHoops

⭐️ Top Center in 2027
⭐️ Uber skilled post player
⭐️ Elite rim runner and finisher
⭐️ Has the physique of a pro player
⭐️ Projects to be a good shooting big pic.twitter.com/Pgr5Soymvq
— RecruitLook Hoops (@RL_Hoops) April 20, 2025

Ekezie, however, is taking it slow. Remember, he's just coming off his sophomore season of high school ball.

As for what will interest him, he told Zags Blog he's partial to a place where it’s, 'Like damn, I love this place.' The fan base [is] nice. The area nice. Just a place where the coach [is] going to make you feel like you belong, too. And then the basketball fit is most important, as well.”

Obinna Ekezie (2027 7') remember the name! dominated around the rim for Session II @3SSBCircuit ! @ObinnaEkezieJr @teamlillardaau @ProlificPrep pic.twitter.com/oLSIOlqnIV
— SIMPLY BASKETBALL (@simplyy_bball) May 9, 2024

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This article first appeared on Washington Huskies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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