WVU Basketball Welcomes Center Harlan Obioha from UNC-Wilmington…

Morgantown, W.Va. — West Virginia University men’s basketball continues to reshape its roster for the upcoming season, adding size and strength in the paint with the transfer of 7-foot-1 center Harlan Obioha from UNC-Wilmington. The Mountaineers officially announced the addition on Thursday, marking another key move in new head coach Darian DeVries’ offseason strategy.

 

Obioha, a redshirt sophomore, brings a rare combination of size and potential to Morgantown. After spending two years with the Seahawks, he enters WVU with three years of eligibility remaining. The move reunites Obioha with assistant coach Rob Judson, who recently joined WVU’s staff and previously recruited Obioha out of high school.

 

“We’re excited to welcome Harlan to the Mountaineer family,” said Coach DeVries. “He’s a player with a tremendous physical presence and has the kind of work ethic we value. We believe he has a lot of untapped potential, and we’re looking forward to helping him develop in our system.”

 

Obioha’s journey to WVU has been anything but conventional. Originally from West Plains, Missouri, the big man began his college career as a project player at UNC-Wilmington. While he saw limited minutes in his first two seasons, he made steady progress under the guidance of the Seahawks’ coaching staff. Known for his rim protection and rebounding in practice, Obioha has been praised for his discipline, coachability, and eagerness to improve.

 

In a brief stint last season, Obioha appeared in 15 games, averaging 2.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just under 9 minutes per game. While those numbers may seem modest, WVU’s staff believes Obioha’s impact could be far greater with consistent development and increased playing time.

 

“We see Harlan as a long-term investment,” said assistant coach Rob Judson. “He’s a 7-footer with a 7’4” wingspan, good timing on defense, and a willingness to learn. That’s a great foundation for us to build on.”

 

With the departure of several key frontcourt players during the offseason, including Jesse Edwards and Mohamed Wague, WVU had an immediate need for size and depth in the post. Obioha joins a reshaped Mountaineers roster that also features returning forward Pat Suemnick and incoming freshman big man Aiden Holloway.

 

For Obioha, the move to Morgantown represents a fresh start and a chance to grow within a Power Five program.

 

“I’m incredibly grateful for my time at UNCW, but I’m excited for this new chapter,” Obioha said in a statement. “WVU has a great basketball tradition, and I can’t wait to get to work with Coach DeVries and the staff. I’m ready to compete, learn, and help this team in any way I can.”

 

With summer workouts just around the corner, Mountaineer fans will soon get their first look at Obioha’s potential. And while he may not be a household name just yet, WVU is betting on the future—and Harlan Obioha could be a big part of it.