Louisville basketball recently received good news from 5-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr., as the Cardinals landed in his final five. The Cardinals are making a strong push for this top-five prospect, as they continue to try and build their 2026-27 roster.
The Louisville Cardinals are in a heated recruiting battle with four other teams as BYU, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Maryland all made his lists, but it appears this race has two schools ahead of the pack, including Louisville.
On3 Sports Joe Tipton reported that Louisville and Arkansas are his two favorites for the 5-star, with BYU having a chance to make a strong push as they need a center. However, On3 Sports recently updated its prediction for Ekezie, and Cardinals fans quickly noticed some good news as they are now the slight favorite over the Razorbacks.
Louisville basketball gets big boost in race for 5-star Obinna Ekezie Jr.
Ekezie is a unanimous 5-star recruit in the 2027 cycle with the possibility of reclassing into the 2026 class. Right now, he sits as the No. 1-ranked center in the 2027 recruiting class and the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2027 class.
The Cardinals got a big boost from the 5-star when he recently took another visit to Louisville, as On3 Sports now has the Cards as the slight favorites over Arkansas with the highest chance of earning his commitment at 38.7 percent. Arkansas is close behind at 33.8 percent.
Tipton reports “the odds are he will ultimately reclassify into 2026,” and the 5-star will likely play college basketball in the 2026-27 class, meaning if Louisville does earn his commitment, the 7-foot 5-star center will be paired up with the Cardinals' dominant portal class, including 5-star transfer Flory Bidunga.
Now, Louisville earning Bidunga’s commitment, of course, has some raising doubts about the Cardinals' chances, but Tipton reports Louisville is in a good spot, as “He’s (Ekezie) familiar with the area and still has friends there.”
It sounds like a 2-horse race between Louisville and Arkansas for 2027 5⭐️ Obinna Ekezie Jr., who is still a reclass candidate, per Joe Tipton.
— PGU HQ | The Ville (@thepointguardU) April 28, 2026
BYU could also make a late push though.
“He’s [Ekezie] is familiar with the area and still has friends there [Louisville]. #GoCards pic.twitter.com/YaFLUMrOfC
The Cardinals and the Razorbacks have each earned a recent visit, and it appears this race for the 5-star is going to be a close battle between Pat Kelsey and John Calipari. Kelsey continues to try to build a team that can contend, and if he can work his magic and land Ekezie, this would be Louisville’s best frontcourt under Kelsey by far.
Related: Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball making major push for 5-star after key visit
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.
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