Harlan Obioha Talks Transformation, New Role for WVU Basketball

WVU Basketball head coach Ross Hodge has had high praise for transfer center Harlan Obioha this offseason. As the season draws near, Obioha has been developing physically while learning the new system.

According to Obioha from a press conference Thursday, he came to WVU weighing 294 pounds and has since dropped to 269 pounds. He credits WVU strength and conditioning coach Jason Martinez for helping him get within his ideal weight range of 265-270 pounds.

“Our strength and conditioning coach, Jason Martinez, has just been life changing for me. Me and him talk every morning, every night before I go to bed. Just never, never like him getting on me about anything, just like conversations about it. And I think that’s what’s been biggest for me is my relationship with Jason,” Obioha said.

While the physical transformation wasn’t a point of emphasis in recruiting conversations, he has mentioned the importance of Obioha losing weight this offseason. Obioha says he fully committed to it when he came to WVU.

“I came into college at 350, so I was already down 70 pounds. I’ve already worked a lot in that area. It was more of just like being committed,” Obioha said.

Obioha is entering his final year of NCAA eligibility, shifting his perspective on his role as a teammate and player.

“I think I have to step into a leadership role more than I have been these past few years,” Obioha said. “So being an everyday guy has been something that we’ve talked about a lot. Just being the same dude every day, being an energized guy, being a guy that younger guys can look up to and just, he’s doing the right thing every day.”

Senior guard Honor Huff calls Obioha has been that energy guy and someone eager to get his teammates the ball.

“I feel like at times, sometimes he’s too unselfish. He’s a great team player and he gets us going,” Huff said. “His energy is infectious. Anytime he scores, makes an assist, you would think he scored after the assist because he’s just so energetic. He brings that fire that we need.”

Obioha discussed the challenge of being more aggressive on offense, which includes being more confident in scoring opportunities.

“I think my role and a couple of the teams, as I’ve been in college, has been more of like, you know, get it to the score and, you know, get in rebounding position,” Obioha said. “And this year, they’re looking for me to score a lot more. So I think it’s something that I’ve got to grow up in, it’s being immature a little bit, just thinking that I don’t want to miss this shot, some of that mindset going on.”

Find more coverage of Harlan Obioha and the WVU men’s basketball program at WV Sports Now.