Duke Basketball Shocks the Recruiting World with Offer to Maryland Legacy Obinna Ekezie Jr.

Duke Basketball Shocks the Recruiting World with Offer to Maryland Legacy Obinna Ekezie Jr.

Durham, NC — June 21, 2025  In a twist that few saw coming, the Duke Blue Devils have thrown their hat into the ring for one of the most intriguing big men in the high school ranks: Obinna Ekezie Jr., the towering 7-footer ranked as the No. 1 center in the class of 2027.

At first glance, it might seem like business as usual. After all, Duke recruiting elite talent is nothing new. But there’s more to this story than another top-tier target.

A Surprising Connection

Obinna Ekezie Jr. isn’t just another top recruit  he’s the son of former Maryland star Obinna Ekezie Sr., who anchored the Terrapins’ frontcourt from 1995 to 1999 before carving out a respectable professional career in the NBA and overseas. For those familiar with ACC history, this adds a juicy wrinkle: Duke extending an offer to the son of a Maryland great, especially given the infamous rivalry between the two programs during the late ’90s and early 2000s, is enough to raise a few eyebrows.

The New Generation

At 7 feet tall, Ekezie Jr. is already showing signs of being a more imposing physical specimen than his father, who stood at 6’9″. His mix of length, agility, and defensive instincts have made him one of the most coveted young big men in the country. And while his offensive game is still evolving, scouts are already raving about his upside as a rim protector, rebounder, and vertical threat in transition.

So far, Ekezie Jr. holds offers from:

Houston (under Kelvin Sampson)

Maryland (his father’s alma mater)

BYU

Miami

Virginia

Cincinnati
And now… Duke.

A Fit in Cameron?

While it’s early in the recruiting cycle, many insiders believe Ekezie Jr.’s game and personality would fit well at Duke  particularly under Jon Scheyer’s player development-focused system. He’s known for his high motor, humility, and eagerness to learn, traits that would make him a fan favorite in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

One Duke insider remarked, “He’s raw, but he’s got everything you want in a modern center. If Scheyer gets him, it’s going to be scary.”

A Recruiting Battle Brews

The addition of Duke to Ekezie Jr.’s recruitment almost guarantees a blueblood tug-of-war. Maryland will fight hard to keep him in the family, especially with their deep legacy connection. But Duke offers the exposure, prestige, and pipeline to the NBA that few programs can match.

Also worth watching: Kelvin Sampson, who’s made a name for turning underrated big men into All-Americans, and Tony Bennett’s defensive-minded Virginia program.

For now, the race is wide open — but Duke’s surprise offer just made it a lot more interesting.

Bottom Line:

Duke just made things personal.
A Maryland legacy. A 7-foot phenom.
A new chapter in an old ACC storyline may be starting  and the college basketball world should be paying attention.

Obinna Ekezie Jr. may not be a household name yet, but if he ends up in Cameron Indoor, you can bet he’ll be one in no time.