Vanderbilt snags top-100 center Ejike Obinna
Ashburn, VA
After securing pieces in the backcourt earlier in the summer, Vanderbilt made its first big pick-up this fall coming in the form of Ejike Obinna. A 6-foot-9 center and native of Nigeria, the Virginia Academy product came off the board in favor of the SEC bunch today, giving the Commodores its first top-100 commitment from the 2017 class.
A solid interior piece that is never afraid to scrap and claw for positioning within the painted area, Obinna will immediately bring toughness and a motor to the frontcourt in Nashville. While improving his overall skillset and counter moves on the low block is in need, what won’ be in question is the desire for the Nigerian center to bring his hard hat and lunch pail to the playing floor.
Displaying a college ready physique and good mobility as a rim runner and defender of the high ball screen, Obinna is a throwback center that doesn’t mind physicality down low. While asking the top-100 center to score double digits on a consistent basis may be asking for a bit much early on, what should be expected from him is the senior’s reliability in rebounding the basketball and protecting his basket as a secondary line defender.
Beating out the likes of Florida, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech for Obinna, Vanderbilt has now put together a strong three-person class. The first year staff in Nashville has already landed high upside guard Saben Lee and explosive wing Maxwell Evans. Add the top-100 big man to the mix and Vanderbilt should be very optimistic for its future ahead during the new era under the tutelage of Bryce Drew.
