John Calipari still needs a big man to round out his 2027 Arkansas roster
The job is not finished. Arkansas basketball and John Calipari still need another roster piece for 2027. Coach Cal still needs a big man after Obinna Ekezie -- pursued by the Hogs, Kentucky, Maryland, and BYU -- chose Pat Kelsey and Louisville. ESPN has more:
"'I have chosen to commit to University of Louisville as I feel it's the best situation to develop, showcase my game and strive to win a national championship,' Ekezie told ESPN.
"Louisville was the perceived favorite for most of the past few weeks, although Maryland -- where Ekezie's father played in the late 1990s before being a second-round pick of the Vancouver Grizzlies -- ma"de it close down the stretch. Ekezie visited Louisville's campus in late April and was impressed by coach Pat Kelsey.
"'Coach Kelsey separated himself with his detailed plan for my development, specifically being able to play and develop at both the 4 and 5,' Ekezie said. 'His excellent staff was completely bought in to helping me reach my goals. But honestly, what put it over the top was the visit. Louisville felt like home from the moment I got there.'
"A 7-footer out of Southeastern Prep Academy (Florida), Ekezie is ranked No. 4 in the SC Next 60 for the 2027 class. He's the No. 1 center in the junior class and will push for the No. 1 center ranking in the 2026 recruiting class, as well. Ekezie has powerful, physical tools and finishes above the rim with force, capable of catching and dunking off lobs, screen-and-rolls or occupying the dunker spot in the half court. He possesses elite shot-blocking ability and rebounds over the rim and beyond his area. With long, fast strides, he sprints the floor and covers ground in transition. He's most effective in the paint and on post-ups, where his footwork and hands combine to seal defenders and secure feeds -- but he also has shown some straight-line driving ability and outside touch. He averaged 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks this past season."
John Calipari can't call it a day. He has to find another big man. Cooper Bowser has energy and skill but is not a supremely rugged, physical hammer in the low block. Arkansas needs a defensive enforcer, someone who takes no prisoners in rim protection and who can allow the defense-first guards to be aggressive on the perimeter, knowing that if they get beaten on the drive, they have a stopper near the basket who can still deter opposing offensive players.
Arkansas has a top-10 roster, maybe even an Elite Eight roster, especially if Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond come back. To get to the Final Four, though, another big man is needed, and the work remains unfinished for John Calipari despite his No. 1 recruiting class.