The extinction of the throwback big man who you can throw the ball to the on the low block, clear things out for, and let him go to work and consistently score with a plethora of back to the rim and counters moves in the post has reached a critical stage. Whether it was the ascension of the Kevin Durant-type, or the evolution of the way certain players are valued at the NBA level, the low-post center is becoming harder and harder to find. Just take a look at this past year’s NBA Draft. Jahlil Okafor, one of the most polished back to the basket bigs in recent years to show face at the college level, was taken at number three overall, and at no fault of his own. Ten years ago, Okafor would have been the shoe-in for top dog in the draft. However, it is Ejike Obinna who enters the mold of a physical, rim presence who has become quite the commodity recruit throughout the east coast in recent weeks.

Obinna, a native of Nigeria, attends Virginia Academy, which is located on the outskirts of downtown Washington D.C., and the center could see priority recruitment whenever the time presents itself. He can score with his back to the basket, has quite the physique that definitely passes the looks test, and comprehends his major strengths on the hardwood and plays to them.

Standing at 6-foot-9 and with an improving game and body, LSU, Xavier, Virginia Tech, and Rhode Island have become the latest programs to offer the big fella in the junior ranks. With other offers already in hand from the likes of Seton Hall, Miami, and St. Joe’s, the recruitment of the interior force has taken a 180. Ray Matthews, Obinna’s guardian, spoke on the recent uptick in the attention. “Ejike takes it all in stride and doesn't get worked up about any of it. That's just the way he is. He knows he has two more years of high school before he enters college and he needs to continue working hard to be the player that colleges expect him to be and then to ultimately reach his potential.”

Obinna recently saw the campuses at Seton Hall, Princeton, George Mason, and Virginia Tech, and Matthews gave insight on the recent trips that have been made and if the junior big man is leaning in any direction with his recruitment. “He is not favoring any particular school or conference at this point, but we're using the unofficial visits to expose him to a wide variety of schools: large or small, private or public, urban or rural, to help him understand the offerings and differences along with finding the fit that is right for him and the program.”

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Obinna carry many more high-major offers come this time next year and with visits ahead this week in tripping off to Xavier and Cincinnati today, August 25, and Temple on Friday, August 28, Matthews gave insight into what the low post presence is looking for in a school and program. “He desires to be in a program with a high level of competition. He is also a 3.5 GPA student and wants a program that shows it players value on their educational goals as well as athletics.”

When it does come time to decide, the program of his choosing should expect a tough and physical big man who can score in a variety of ways around the basket and also bring quality grades to the classroom.