By JAMES MADDEN
Pat Kelsey and Louisville just keep on adding.
The Cardinals landed a commitment from five-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr. on Sunday, who was originally a member of the class of 2027, but now has reclassified to the class of 2026.
A 7-footer, Ekezie chose Louisville over Maryland, BYU, Arkansas and Kentucky.
Ekezie moved to the United States from Nigeria four years ago, but quickly became one of the most coveted recruits in the class of 2027.
The 7-footer just wrapped up his junior season at Southeastern Prep (FL) and finished the season ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the junior class.
In Ekezie’s recruitment Maryland was viewed as an underrated player in his final list, as his father, Obinna Sr. is an alum of the program.
Ekezie credits his father, who played parts of five seasons for the Vancouver Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks for helping him fine tune his skillset.
He spoke with ZAGSBLOG last April about his style of play.
“I feel like a 7-foot mobile guy that can block shots and protect the rim,” Ekezie Jr. said of his skillset. “Score out the post. I’m developing my 3-point shot and stuff. I have touch from the free throw line. I can shoot. That’s what I feel like I am right now. A big time lob threat too.”
Ekezie Jr. is Louisville’s seventh addition of the spring and first high-school commit, headed into next season. He joins a class that consists of Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad, USC transfer Gabe Dynes, Dayton transfer De’Shayne Montgomery, Iowa transfer Alvaro Folgueiras and Arkansas transfer Karter Knox.
Louisville's incoming class is INSANE 😳
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) May 3, 2026
#1 Flory Bidunga (Kansas)
#4 Obinna Ekezie Jr. (High School)
#18 Jackson Shelstad (Oregon)
#59 Karter Knox (Arkansas)
#65 Alvaro Folgueiras (Louisville)
#134 De'Shayne Montgomery
N/A Gabe Dynes
Pat Kelsey is on FIRE. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CppAYediR1
He’s ranked as the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2027 prior to his decision to reclassify, according to 247Sports.
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