Unlike most other years, some the top recruits in the 2012 HS recruiting class took their time in making their final announcement as to where they will be playing their college ball. Among those that announced late were Amile Jefferson to Duke, Anthony Bennett to UNLV, and Devonta Pollard to Alabama.
But the final remaining truly elite level recruit, 6’9 and 230lb shot-blocking and game changing forward Chris Obekpa, has finally made his college choice to attend St. John’s this Fall. Obekpa is a New York native who played his HS ball at Our Savior New American HS on Long Island. He helped lead Our Savior to an impressive 18-3 record and a lofty Top 10 ranking in NY State.
Chris is perhaps best known for blocking 20 shots in a high school game back in January, a feat which put him in high demand to some of the nation’s top schools like St. John’s, Cincinnati, UCLA, UConn, Oregon, Providence, Rutgers, and Pittsburgh. For the record, the 20 blocks were legit, as St John’s head coach Steve Lavin was a witness, sitting courtside. Chris also totaled 11 points and 15 boards to register the ever elusive triple-double in HS competition.
Many think Obekpa’s senior season meteoric rise up the recruiting rankings(#77 in 2012) reminds many of Anthony Davis’ jump last season. While Obekpa may rank right up their with Davis when it comes to shot blocking, he still has a ways to go to even come near to Davis’ potential as an offensive player.
Obekpa joins fellow Top 100 recruit SF Jakarr Sampson in Steve Lavin’s 2012 recruiting class. Along with the elite Top 100’s, is Obekpa’s HS teammate SG Felix Balamou, SG Darrick Wood, Texas A&M transfer PG Jamal Branch, and JUCO transfers PF Orlando Sanchez and SF Marco Bourgalt. Lavin returns a plethora of talented returnees like God’s Gift Achiuwa, D’ Angelo Harrison, and Amir Garrett. Of course, he loses arguably his best player, freshman Moe Harkless to the NBA Draft.
Check out Chris Obekpa’s Senior Mixtape:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
