Five-star Obinna Ekezie Jr. makes college commitment announcement: Live updates on the nation's top 2027 center

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Five-star Obinna Ekezie Jr. makes college commitment announcement: Live updates on the nation's top 2027 center originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Obinna Ekezie Jr. is on the verge of deciding where he'll take the next step in his career. The top-rated center and No. 4 player in the 2027 basketball recruiting class is down to five schools with Louisville, BYU, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Maryland fighting for the blue-chip big man.

Ekezie is expected to make his announcement on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET.

All five teams are intriguing options for the future college basketball star. Louisville is reportedly the frontrunner for Ekezie, but Maryland has surged late in his recruitment. BYU and Arkansas have two of the most NBA-ready coaches in the country in John Calipari and Kevin Young, respectfully. Kentucky has felt the agony of defeat lately after losing Tyran Stokes, but can get back on track with Ekezie in Lexington.

Obinna Ekezie college commitment live updates​

Obinna Ezekie Jr. will announce his commitment at 4:30ET today.

One of the top players in Class of 2027 and plans to reclass and play college this season.

Skilled big man and the son of former Maryland big man Obinna Ekezie.

Louisville has been considered the frontrunner.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 3, 2026

NEW: 5️ Obinna Ezekie Jr. will announce his commitment at 4:30ET today.

The No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2027 will be one of Kentucky’s first misses in the cycle. pic.twitter.com/JMi7SudHx7

— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) May 3, 2026

Ekezie a possible NBA top-five pick?​

Obinna Ekezie Jr. (@ObinnaEkezieJr) will announce his college commitment today at 4:30 PM ET. The 7-footer, who is nearing his 18th birthday, brings a strong interior presence and developing two-way versatility, projecting as a potential top-five pick in a future NBA Draft.

— Aryan (@Ary_Report) May 3, 2026

Here's the scouting report from 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein.

"Ekezie is a true 7-footer with long arms and vertical athleticism. At the 2025 NBPA Top 100 Camp, he measured at 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-4.5 wingspan and 9-foot-4.5 standing reach. He’s a bouncy finisher, who frequently dunks on the way up, and a real rim protector who averaged over 2 blocks per game in both the E16 circuit with Vegas Elite and the high school season with Southeastern Prep.

"His most immediate impact at the college level will be as a vertical threat and finisher, shot-blocker, and drop coverage ball-screen defender. Ekezie is still young though, turning 18 in May of 2026, and has tools to develop in other areas. He has a projectable frame that should continue to add muscle mass and really blossom in a college weight room, but still needs to develop the physicality and assertiveness to maximize it. He also has a foundation for further skill development with a soft natural touch, good left hand, and signs of passing potential."

More college basketball news:​

• Darryn Peterson situation not alarming to NBA teams, ESPN insider says
• Duke Basketball upending Big Ten over Amazon deal has social media buzzing
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
• Tyran Stokes commits to Kansas: No. 1 college basketball recruit heads to Lawrence
• Where Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. ranks among John Calipari's best NBA guards

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