Kentucky Targets Ekezie Jr. for Frontcourt Future

0:00On April 27, Kentucky coach Mark Pope is already hunting for the class of 2027 and he's got his eyes on 7-foot 5-star center. Obena Akaze Jr., the number 2 player in that class, and the top big man. Akaze just narrowed his list to 5 schools. Kentucky, Maryland, Arkansas, BYU, and Louisville. Pope and his staff visited the kids' home on April 1, putting in that early work to stand out. His dad, Obena Akaze, played in Maryland and got drafted to the NBA so the terps are a real threat here. Fans are buzzing because Kentucky desperately needs center depth after losing some key guys, and this recruit could fill that gap perfectly. What makes Akaze special is his crazy athleticism. He dunks easy, runs pick and roll smooth, locks down on D, and even steps out for threes, which fits Pope's system to a T. There's talk he might reclass up, jumping into the mix sooner. Some doubt Pope on elite high school polls, but he's in a strong spot now.

1:01Keep watching this recruitment heat up, as it could lock in Kentucky's front court future for years.