Why On3 is higher than the industry with 2027 C Obinna Ekezie

Obinna Ekezie is an interesting long-term prospect. The 7-foot-0 center played this summer with the Team Lillard program on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit following his freshman season at Napa (CA) Prolific Prep. Here at On3, we are higher than the industry on the rising sophomore center, ranking him as the No. 4 overall player in On3’s updated 2027 top 50.

On3 leaves nothing to question when we talk about the objective of our rankings. The goal is to assess a prospect’s long-term potential, ultimately manifested by the NBA Draft. Our ranking does not assess who had the best high school career or who will be the best college player. This is why we will shoot to end each cycle with 14 five-star prospects. We follow the lead of the NBA Draft Lottery. This can be a different methodology from others, but our vision when creating our rankings is draft night. 

On3 has Ekezie ranked No. 4. He is ranked No. 19 by ESPN, No. 15 by Rivals, and 247 has not introduced their 2027 rankings. Criteria can be different across the industry when it comes to players and the order in which they are ranked. So let’s break down why On3 is higher on Obinna Ekezie than the industry.

Ekezie’s physical presence

On your first look at Obinna Ekezie, you notice the sheer size. Especially when you see him among his peers. He is a legit 7-footer, with long arms flowing down by his side, and wide-set shoulders that should continue to add good weight as the sophomore continues to age. Simply looking across the basketball landscape, there are not many players, at any level, that have Ekezie’s kind of size and athletic fluidity.

While the size is true, it is also Ekezie’s athletic coordination that makes him interesting at this stage as a prospect. He is able to move well and switches ends of the court with a purpose. He has good strength in his base and, while still a little stiff, he is able to turn and flip his hips. The 7-footer has solid straight-line explosion, able to get off the ground in traffic and finish above the rim with two hands or impact shots around the rim.

Certainly, Ekezie is still growing. And as he continues to grow, he will need to continue adding to his core and base strength. With that should come more explosive burst and added coordination and fluidity.

On offense

Obinna Ekezie is a throwback of sorts on the offensive end. As a true 7-footer, he plays very comfortably with his back to the basket. Ekezie sets himself directly on the block, attempting to bury his man, and sets a big target – opening his chest to the ball – for his man to deliver an entry pass. Once he receives the ball, Ekezie is comfortable in traffic getting to his left shoulder. He has good hands and he has touch, even through contact.

The fact that Ekezie is so comfortable, at this early of a stage, playing on the block offensively is encouraging. Of course, a lot of the game today is spread away from the basket, however, even at the highest levels of basketball, guys who can consistently get the ball on the block and score, get that opportunity.

The next steps in Ekezie’s offensive game will be developing some counter moves off his base go-to. As he continues to add strength to his core and his base, he should also be able to add more comfort with reps. Ekezie has touch from the free-throw line which leads one to believe that, as he continues to grow and develop his game, outside touch and range could be in the cards.

Currently, the majority of his game is based from ten feet and in on the offensive end. Even at this early stage, this is an area where Ekezie is able to consistently create an advantage against his peers. With his hands, touch, and continued development, it is worth continuing to watch how his game continues to expand as he is only about to start his sophomore year of high school.

Ekezie on Defense

Defensively, especially in the younger age groups, it helps to be big. Even when playing up in age or at the varsity level, but especially at his own age group, Obinna Ekezie is the tallest player on most floors he walks on. Two things that are impressive, at this point of his development, when watching Ekezie are his motor and his instincts.

Ekezie plays on the block, mostly around the basket. When he is pulled away from the rim, he has the ability to show and recover in the pick and roll and he rotates with a natural understanding of closing angles when guarding off ball. Ekezie has excellent timing, with a unique ability to stay grounded – not go for up fakes and ball fakes – while still affecting/blocking the shot at the rim.

Even at 7-foot-0, he will need to continue working on his flexibility. He can be a little stiff and play upright at times, and growth here will help with his lateral mobility. However, he understands how to open up and find an angle to stay with a small player. He also elevates off the ground quickly, getting his highest reach toward the top of the square off a single gather step.

Ekezie is a solid traffic rebounder, high-pointing the ball and securing it with two hands. He is learning to not take himself out of the play going for the blocked shot, and keeping on balance to affect the shot and collect the rebound.

There are a lot of things that Ekezie does naturally on this end of the floor that indicate he could be an intriguing anchor long-term for a defense. Now, it is all about continuing to work on the footwork and angles, but also seeing how to enhance and develop the athletic qualities.

Obinna Ekezie long-term outlook

Just looking at his size alone, you immediately become intrigued. You watch Obinna Ekezie play and you can see the makings of someone who has some very unique traits when it comes to coupling length, dexterity, and mobility with his size.

Ekezie’s game is interesting because he is undeniably skilled in what he does. But there is wonder in projecting how that skill translates to today’s game at the highest levels. Watching Ekezie, you see that he is able to create an offensive advantage in his area. His ability to consistently get a clean look with the ball in his hands gives him value. Seeing this ability at such a young age, the general thought is that it will only expand from this point.

Ekezie is the son of a former NBA big man. Obinna Ekezie was a part of 87 wins at Maryland, starting 105 games and averaging 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in his career. He went on to be the 37th overall pick with the Vancouver Grizzlies, where he went on to play 143 NBA games. Ekezie has the basketball pedigree inside of him.

Now, as it is with most players who are so young, it is all about development. As the old saying suggests, bigs take a little longer to fully evolve. Ekezie has a nice foundation of skill. A look through the college game, big men were the most sought-after players in the transfer portal. The value bigs bring to the college game is undeniable. Size is unique in its own right. When you add coordination, skill, and processing to a player with size, that quickly becomes a coveted player.

Physically, Ekezie checks a lot of boxes, even as only a rising sophomore. In a basketball world where spacing and switchability are some key buzzwords, how valuable is a big man who plays within his own space? So now, looking ahead, how will his game grow?