Ross Hodge Brings in Size for WVU Basketball, Signing 7-Footer Harlan Obioha

Ross Hodge’s first transfer commit now becomes the first player he signs for West Virginia. The WVU basketball program has officially signed UNC Wilmington transfer 7-footer Harlan Obioha.

“We are excited to welcome Harlan to Morgantown,” said Hodge about Obioha. “He has been part of winning a championship and brings NCAA Tournament experience with him. He has continued to get better throughout the course of his college career and gives us a physical presence on both ends of the floor.”

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

Welcome to Almost Heaven, Harlan Obioha!

🔗 https://t.co/vQq5DzP1dO pic.twitter.com/k0zVHBA3Y2

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) April 11, 2025

Obioha averaged 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in his lone season at UNCW. He played in 35 games and made 23 starts. He also blocked 42 shots.

Last year at UNCW, he produced 17 double-digit scoring efforts and had five games with at least 10 rebounds. Obioha moved into the starting lineup in conference play and averaged 10.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game from that point on while shooting 64.8% from the field. He scored a career-high 23 points to go with 10 rebounds at William & Mary, which started a six-game win streak and led UNCW to the CAA title. Obioha recorded five double-doubles and posted seven points and nine rebounds against Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament.

Obioha started his career at Niagara. In 2023-24, Obioha played in 32 games, making 31 starts, and averaged 10.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He produced season highs of 22 points against Rider and 16 rebounds against Manhattan. Obioha finished the season shooting 63.3% from the field.

UNCW went 27-8 this season, cunning the CAA. Obioha scored seven points and had nine rebounds in the team’s NCAA Tournament game against Texas Tech.

Obioha had five double-doubles this year and set season highs with 23 points against William & Mary, 13 rebounds against Towson and five blocks against East Carolina.

Prior to UNCW, Obioha, a native of Hoxie, Kansas, spent three seasons at Niagara. After redshirting in 2021-22, he averaged 2.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 2022-23 and 10.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in 203-24.

Obioha was WVU’s first commitment this offseason and the first player brought in by new head coach Ross Hodge.

Find more coverage of WVU basketball recruiting at WV Sports Now.