John Calipari targets strong start to 2027 recruiting cycle with eyes on 5-star center

The recruiting momentum keeps building in Fayetteville, and now the Arkansas Razorbacks appear to be setting their sights on yet another elite prospect.

Seven-foot center Obinna Ekezie Jr. has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in high school basketball, and Arkansas is firmly in the mix.

 Obinna Ekezie Jr.: The 5-Star Center Commanding the National Spotlight

According to basketball analyst Jonathan Givony, Ekezie was one of the standout performers at the prestigious Basketball Without Borders All-Star Camp. The review? Glowing.

Ekezie walked away with Defensive MVP honors, putting his incredible physical tools on full display. At 7-foot with a 7'3” wingspan and a staggering 9'4” standing reach, the 17-year-old dominated the paint. Givony noted his major presence defensively, along with a budding offensive skill set and promising two-way versatility, rare traits for a young big man still developing physically.

For a player in the 2027 class (with possible 2026 reclassification), that kind of national praise only further cements his status as a 5-star, National Top-5 prospect and a priority Arkansas target.

John Calipari Keeping Close Watch

Head coach John Calipari has shown clear interest in Ekezie and is high on his board. The veteran recruiter has reportedly been out multiple times to watch Ekezie at SE Prep in Orlando, and he’s not the only elite talent on that roster.

Ekezie shares the floor with two other 2027 five-star Arkansas targets: Beckham Black and CJ Rosser. That trio has quickly become one of the most intriguing collections of young talent in the country, and it’s easy to connect the dots.

Calipari has already been on a heater on the recruiting trail. The recent commitment of five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr.gave Arkansas a massive boost and further loaded an already stacked 2026 class.

Now imagine this: if Ekezie were to reclassify into 2026 and join Smith, Arkansas could be staring at four Top-5 caliber recruits in one class including JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure.

That would likely skyrocket the Razorbacks into contention for the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, and send a clear message nationally.

In an era where many programs lean heavily into the transfer portal and NIL collectives to construct rosters, Calipari appears to be doubling down on elite high school recruiting, the blueprint that has defined his career. While others chase quick fixes, Calipari continues to invest in long-term development. And historically, that formula has worked.

If Arkansas can land Obinna Ekezie Jr., and especially if they can convince him to accelerate his timeline, the rest of college basketball may have a serious problem on its hands.

For now, the Razorbacks are positioning themselves, and with Calipari leading the charge, they’re clearly not done loading up.