2027 top center Obinna Ekezie on Mark Pope

[chasingwildcat]

Ekezie is impressed by how Pope uses his bigs.

"That's something that me and my dad are really taking into consideration. Most schools, for big guys like me, it's different than guards. To get drafted, you really got to showcase what you can do. Kentucky is – for big men – one of the best places," Ekezie told Cole Parke of CatsPause.com this summer.

"They really play through their bigs like Amari Williams last year. They really played through him and that stuff is what I look at too for a college. For guards, you look at someone like Thomas Sorber, he wasn't (as highly touted), but he played at Georgetown and they played through him, they let him rock out, and he got drafted first round. In high school you (would have though) two years, three years (of playing in college). But Khaman Maluach, pre high school he was the best, but (Duke) didn't utilize him well and that dropped his stock. Mark Pope, being a big, (would know) how to use me."

 

[Yardeth]

Would be a great pick up!

 

[chasingwildcat]

 

[chasingwildcat]

My gut feeling is we are getting this one

 

[bnewt]

Would be a great pickup

 

[gonefishin]

I like his shot at duke there. Now I really want him.

 

[Big BlueBeard]

That’s a well thought out and detailed answer. This kid has it together. I liked what he said. A lot!

 

[chasingwildcat]

That’s a well thought out and detailed answer. This kid has it together. I liked what he said. A lot!

I always think Duke did not utilize the skills of many center well, and they were only drafted high because of their huge potentials.

Maluach did not grow much during the season in Duke. And we can see how Amari evolves throughout the season

This kid is right about this.

 

[chasingwildcat]

 

[BlueSince92]

Love it. I thnk we will always have a leg up with top centers because of how Pope uses them and because he talks to them as a center. I think we'll be extra attractive to PGs as well. They'll be thinking of how much our PGs excel here offensively, with opponents always needing to game plan for them and a point center both.

 

[xmayor]

Well, he convinced me. I hope he convinced himself.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

That’s a nice insight into how recruits see UK when deciding.

I hope he’s incorrect in how guards might see UK.

 

[chasingwildcat]

That’s a nice insight into how recruits see UK when deciding.

I hope he’s incorrect in how guards might see UK.

Mark Pope system is good for every position

Last season Oweh/Butler/Amari/Carr/Brea all great in offense

Everyone has the ball in Mark Pope system. Every position can shine under Mark Pope. Not like Calipari's system is bad for SF

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Mark Pope system is good for every position

Last season Oweh/Butler/Amari/Carr/Brea all great in offense

Everyone has the ball in Mark Pope system. Every position can shine under Mark Pope. Not like Calipari's system is bad for SF

Cal didn’t have a system. He adjusted every year to the players. That’s why players flocked to Cal.

But that’s not the point. It doesn’t matter what we think. Or if we’re right or wrong.

What is the reputation on the AAU circuit and in recruiting circles?

He seems to imply that its bigs should look at UK and guards should look elsewhere.

It’s always going to be a system argument.

And always has been. No player wants to be known as a system player.

You can bet that rival recruiters will show that statement to guards.

 

[Midway Cat]

He seems to imply that its bigs should look at UK and guards should look elsewhere.

How? I'm not seeing that at all.

 

[chasingwildcat]

 

[DraftCat]

Sounds like a smart kid. Love the dig at Duke as well.

 

[Lakercat]

I remember his dad at Maryland; yikes, I’m getting old.