Ikey Obiagu will block your shot, but he might also help you with your math homework, too.
The Greenforest (Ga.) senior, and Nigeria native, has committed to play at Florida State. His major is yet to be determined, but there’s a good chance his course of study – or future job outside of basketball – will involve numbers.
“I’m really good at math, so anything to do with math (would interest me),’” Obiagu said. “I haven’t really made up my mind yet on what courses or career I’m going to pursue.
“Anything math, I love it.”
On the court, Obiagu is a defensive force. He entered this weekend’s Bass Pro Tournament of Champions averaging around 7.5 blocks per game.
Among teams that submit their stats to MaxPreps.com, Obiagu ranks third nationally in blocks.
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Obiagu flirted with a triple-double in Thursday’s quarterfinal round loss to Memphis East, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds and 10 blocks. He was two blocks shy of tying the tournament’s single-game record of 12, set by Branson’s Steven Hill in 2004.
After blocking seven shots against Kickapoo on Friday, Obiagu is six blocks away from setting the all-time tournament record.
“I think he’s the premier shot blocker in high school basketball, maybe even college basketball,” said Greenforest coach Larry Thompson. “The guy has an extremely incredible gift that he’s been blessed with in protecting the rim.”
Pride in the homeland
Obiagu hails from Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja. Daily life presented its own challenges, vastly different from those others in the U.S. experience at a similar age.
Obiagu didn’t go into detail on his experiences, but said he’s used them to better himself.
“It was really, really rough, but everything’s just a way to make you stronger,” Obiagu said. “It was tough growing up, but I got through it and I’m still alive. One day I’ll look back at it and say, ‘Thank God for those situations because they made me stronger.’”
The national sport in Nigeria is soccer. Obiagu tried that for a few years, but soon realized there wasn’t a lot of use on the pitch for a 6’10” guy, outside of maybe goalie.
“I started playing basketball around five years ago,” said Obiagu, whose first full name is Ikechukwu. “I tried playing soccer but I really wasn’t good at it so I just stuck to watching people play.”
Basketball, Obiagu said, offers a pathway to a better life.
He came to the U.S. before his freshman year of high school at Greenforest Christian Academy. He lives with guardians while his parents have remained in Nigeria.
“Basketball gave me an opportunity to come over here, because things are hard back home. Everybody over there wants to come over here,” Obiagu said. “I knew that through basketball, it was a medium to get a free education over here.”
Learning the sport
While he’s a standout defender, Obiagu’s offensive game is admittedly a work in progress.
He’s averaging fewer than 10 points per game on the season. Most of his points occur via dunks or putbacks. But remember: he’s only been playing basketball for five years.
Obiagu’s trying to improve his offensive arsenal, through practice and modern-day film study. Former Houston Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon, a Nigeria native known for his humanity work, remains an icon for Obiagu.
“I watch a lot of Karl-Anthony Towns, Hassan Whiteside and DeAndre Jordan,” Obiagu said. “Sometimes, I just go on YouTube and watch film so I can work on my footwork. I watch a lot of Hakeem Olajuwon.”
But shot-blocking remains Obiagu’s calling card and he seems fine with that. Having that one elite skill means playing time.
“I didn’t really know how to play when I first started. (Blocking shots) was the only thing that kept me on the court, so I just kind of went with it,” Obiagu said. “(Basketball) was really difficult (to learn). It’s not something you just wake up and learn. I just took everything step by step, and I’m still learning the game.”
Obiagu’s coach says the 7-footer is the ultimate eraser on the basketball court. Obiagu’s presence at Greenforest, both on and off the court, will be missed when graduation day arrives.
“He neutralizes our defense. He makes up for so many mistakes, when guys that are on the ball are gambling trying to get the steals or get out of position,” Thompson said. “He just makes up for a lot of so much and I promise you I’m going to miss that kid when he graduates in about four more months.”
Welcome to America
It didn’t take long for Obiagu to get noticed once he moved to the United States. A 6-foot-10, 14 year old from Africa tends to stand out in a crowd.
“The first day I got here, I went to shop and get my clothes. As soon I walked in the mall, everybody was just like… kind of around me,” Obiagu said. “As soon as I stepped my foot in here, that’s how it started. I was really amazed.”
Being a 7-footer isn’t all glitz, glamor and fun, however. Those daily annoyances – finding the right clothing, sleeping on ill-fitting hotel beds, drawing constant stares from strangers – can add up over time.
“I know some people that don’t like being this tall, because every time I go out someone comes up to me and asks how tall I am or what size shoe I wear,” Obiagu said. “There are people I know that don’t really like being tall, because they feel like they’re being bothered. But I’ve gotten used to it, it’s fine.”
In a few months, Obiagu will head to Tallahassee, Fla to play at Florida State. He hopes to become the latest in a line of Nigeria-born big men to done a Seminoles uniform, following in the steps of Michael Ojo (2012-17) and Solomon Alabi (2007-2010).
“They have a good history with Nigerian bigs,” Obiagu said. “Playing in college and living here’s like a dream come true. It’s what everybody wishes for. I just try to stay humble and enjoy the process.”
