Player: Obinnaya Okafor
Class: 2022
Height/Weight: 6’6”/175 pounds… 6’9 wingspan!
High School: Bethel High School (Hampton VA)
Travel Ball Club Name: Hampton Hoyas – Coach Mark Godwin
AAU Coach Evaluation:
I have watched Obinnaya’s game grow so fast in the last two years! As he continues to get better and bigger he has a chance to be one of the best big men to come from this area!! Obinnaya has a drive in him where he wants to be the best, something you can’t teach! He is a very well mannered kid and a student of the game. Obinnaya comes from a great family and they are very supportive of him. Stay tuned and remember the name “Big O”!! – Coach Mark Godwin, Hampton Hoyas AAU
Middle School Coach Evaluation:
I have been coaching Obinnaya for three years and have enjoyed having a young man as committed to his team and his work habits as he is. Obinnaya has a very high motor; he enjoys going to practice and working hard. He has a team first attitude which makes him a great kid to build a team around. He scores well with his back to the rim or stepping out knocking down the mid range shot. His ability to locate the ball when shots are taken gives him an advantage when it comes to rebounding on offensive or defensive end. He has quick feet which allow him to guard his man away from the rim or get back and block shots. – Coach Linwood Baker, Phenix Middle School Basketball Coach – Hampton VA
Coach Frank says:
Really impressive prospect! “Obi” has great length at 6’6 with a 6’8 wingspan and obvious evidence of further vertical growth in addition to his doctor’s suggestion he could get to be as tall as 6’10! Obinnaya is very athletic and bouncy, strong with quick feet and good skills. He is an impact paint presence who has had a taste of varsity experience at the Virginia Wesleyan University team camp where he more than held his own battling other varsity players. Obinnaya scores around the rim and has a good touch, handles contact well and his ability to gather himself and stick back misses or repeat rebound is impressive. He battles inside, has good quickness. Obinnaya has good form and can hit the jumper at the short corners, elbow area and indications are he will extend his range as he continues to develop as he has good shooting fundamentals and stays within himself. He has a pretty good handle also and is a developing wing. He has a strong frame and very good mobility and defends the post. Doesn’t mind playing physical. Obinnaya has the lateral quickness and defensive skills that allows him to defend 3’s and 4’s away from the basket. I’m really excited about Obinnaya having watched not only his effort in skill development work and watching him compete live in games but because of a body language that exudes a confident and workmanlike approach to the game. His upside is through the roof! He will be as good as he desires to be! All coaches should add Obinnaya Okafor to their watch list; he’s going to be a special talent.