“I had a good discussion with my family, and I think it’s the best opportunity for me,’’ said Obi, a native of Nigeria. “It’s a good balance between academics and basketball. I fell in love with the coaches, and that was a big factor. I saw the campus and the people, and they were very loving. I got along with them very well. It’s a good opportunity to play in Conference USA.”
Obi, a 6-foot, 9-inch center, averaged 18.2 points and 20.0 rebounds per game last year for Greens Farms, leading the Dragons to an 18-5 record. He has lived in Greenwich with the family of GFA teammate Hunter Eggers since coming from Nigeria in 2010.
Rice finished 19-16 last year under coach Ben Braun, the school’s first winning season since 2004-05. The Ivy League schools showed interest in Obi, but Rice came into the picture in late summer and recruited him heavily.
“He’s in a very good academic school, and that pulls a lot of weight,’’ Greens Farms coach Doug Scott said. “Houston has a huge Nigerian population as well, and he wants to major in business. I think it’s perfect. It’s really about education, and Rice is one of the top 20 universities in the country.”
One of Obi’s objectives at Greens Farms was to land a basketball scholarship. Now he can focus on the season, which begins Monday against St. Luke’s, and not have pressure to impress college recruiters this winter.
“Getting a scholarship was a goal, but I didn’t go crazy,’’ Obi said. “I just played basketball because I loved it. I just focused on getting better every day. I’m very fortunate, it’s a great opportunity for me. I wish everyone could get the opportunity that I have.”
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