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Scouting center Lewis Obiorah, Sean Miller's newest addition to Texas men’s basketball

by: Keenan Womack05/19/25
Sean Miller
Sean Miller - Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Saturday, Sean Miller added English center Lewis Obiorah to the roster for the 2025-2026 season. Obiorah is a 7-foot-1 prospect with a 7-foot-5 wingspan that will step in to replace Jamie Vinson, who transferred to Texas A&M this offseason. 

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Playing for Barking Abbey in Division 2 of the British National Basketball League, Obiorah demonstrated rim-running skills and the ability to be a paint deterrent throughout last season where he was the Player of the Year. He averaged 10.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. Though Texas landed him, he had also received offers from Ohio University, Illinois-Chicago, as well as interest from other programs like Michigan State. 

Eventually settling on the Longhorns, Obiorah is considered a developmental piece overall – he may even be a candidate for a redshirt, as he has not played against high-level competition. BNBL D2 is most comparable to NAIA programs in the United States, and sits below leagues like NCAA D-I and much of D-II. For Obiorah in particular, his dominance at this level will not immediately translate, especially to a league like the SEC. 

When looking at the differences between the SEC and the highest level of British competition, the BBL, it becomes obvious that high-major NCAA basketball is more competitive and contains much higher-level prospects. This isn’t to dismiss what Obiorah has accomplished, but more to illustrate that he will take some time adjusting to the speed and physicality of the SEC. 

The primary thing that sticks out about Obiorah is his size – though he is not a polished prospect by any means, the potential to be a rim-running threat. He also demonstrated ability to pass out of the short roll occasionally, and can be a roll man in general in PNR sets due to his ranginess. 

Some of his dominance was simply due to the fact he was much bigger than opposing players in most instances. After all, due to the level of competition, most of his opponents were around his age, so therefore, not fully physically developed. When faced with American players, even ones he will scrimmage against like Matas Vokietaitis and Lassina Traore, there will be a steep learning curve. 

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Overall, Obiorah is probably at least year away from being a true contributor, but is a necessary piece of front court depth that can fortify a unit that will be crucial to competing in the SEC.

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