Nov. 10, 2016
Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew has announced the signing of center Ejike Obinna to a National Letter of Intent. Obinna will be eligible to compete for the Commodores beginning in the fall of 2017.
Obinna, a 6’9 center originally from Enugu, Nigeria, who now attends the Virginia Academy in Ashburn, Va., is a 4-star prospect by ESPN.com and Rivals.com, and is the 107th-ranked prospect in the class of 2017 by 247sports.com. He was also named the Capital Beltway Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Obinna will also be the first student at Virginia Academy to receive a full scholarship to a college academic institution. He chose the Commodores over Florida, Oklahoma, Clemson, and Virginia Tech.
“Ejike is a physical post player who rebounds very well,” said Drew. “Coming from Nigeria and being young to the game means that he has a great upside to be even better. Vanderbilt fans will enjoy the aggressive attitude he plays with in the paint.”
“I chose Vanderbilt because it felt right,” said Obinna. “The fans are the best in the country. I really believe in Coach Drew and what he is doing and I believe that this is the beginning of a great future ahead of us all.”
Obinna caps a three-man signing class for Drew, who is in his first season with the Commodores.
“Today is a great day for the future of Vanderbilt basketball,” said Drew. “Saben, Max, and Ejike are all very talented players, but more importantly, great fits for Vanderbilt University.
