NCAA Under the Radar: Chris Obekpa, St. John’s

Position: Forward/Center
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6’9″
Weight: 240 pounds
NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

Relatively unknown, St. John’s Red Storm big man Chris Obekpa has emerged as one of the best interior defenders in the nation. His fundamentals are far from perfected, but for what he lacks in polished skills, he makes up for with dynamic physical gifts and a knack for the basketball.

This all adds up to one comparison: Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Before Ibaka was a reliable mid-range jump shooter with a strong reputation, he was a fundamentally-flawed athlete who could block shots with the best of them. It’s what put him on the court early in his career and it’s what has helped to mask his lackluster rebounding and poor low-post game in recent seasons.

The same can be said about Obekpa.

As a freshman in 2012-13, the Nigerian big man dominated the interior for St. John’s. He finished the season with averages of 3.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 4.0 blocks and 0.9 steals in 26.0 minutes of action.

Only Nerlens Noel averaged more blocks per game than Obekpa. That alone should offer intrigue, as this defensive menace will find his way onto an NBA roster via the NBA Draft or the summer league.

In 2013-14, it’s on Obekpa to display signs of progression in other areas of his game to make the leap into the first round.

Current Draft Stock: Late Second Round

As it presently stands, Obekpa doesn’t have much traction when it comes to the stacked 2014 NBA draft. He’s a good athlete with a strong motor and extraordinary physical gifts, but he’s mediocre on the glass and is very raw on the offensive end of the floor.

Obekpa’s physical gifts could push him into the first round, but at this point, he’s a late second round prospect.

Obekpa stands at 6’9″ with a massive 7’4″ wingspan. St. John’s reports that he weighs 240 pounds, but there have been conflicting measurements that suggest he’s closer to 225.

Either way, a 6’9″ athlete with a 7’4″ wingspan and elite shot blocking skills always seems to catch the NBA’s attention come draft night.

As Obekpa progresses in 2013-14, the most significant area that he must improve is on the offensive and defensive glass. He needs to average somewhere in the ballpark of 8.0 rebounds, and if he does, he’ll enter the first round conversation as a defensive anchor with value for contending teams.

He’s raw, but Obekpa is also one of college basketball’s best kept secrets.

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