Chiddi Obiazor, a 6-foot-6 junior forward from Eden Prairie (MN) High is one of the top two-sport athletes in Minnesota.
Obiazor has scored in double figures in all 12 games this season and is averaging 20.7 points per game as the Eagles are off to an 7-5 start. He has scored 20 or more points in seven contests, including a season-high 28 points versus Prior Lake and Eastview.
Obiazor averaged 16.1 points per game as a sophomore, scoring in double figures in 17 of 19 games and had 20 or more points in five contests. He had a career high of 33 points against Prior Lake. Eden Prairie finished 12-7, losing to Chaska 48-45 in the Section 2AAAA semifinals.
GopherHole recently caught up with Obiazor to learn more about playing two sports at a high level, his recruitment and junior season.
GopherHole: I think I saw on Twitter you got your first offer for football from Ohio University. When did you first start hearing from them?
Chiddi Obiazor: They offered my brother (Namdi, who played at Eden Prairie and Iowa Western Community College and recently committed to TCU) and saw my film and they came to watch me this Thursday and really liked what they saw and they offered that night.
GopherHole: You have one offer for basketball from Hampton, right?
Chiddi Obiazor: Yes.
GopherHole: Is it one of those situations whatever sport you are playing is your favorite or do you have a favorite sport?
Chiddi Obiazor: No, I don’t have a favorite. I haven’t decided which one I want to play yet.
GopherHole: Is it like now that you are playing basketball and basketball is more your favorite?
Chiddi Obiazor: Yes. Season by season.
GopherHole: Eden Prairie is known as a great football school. You guys made it to the final four. How pleased were you with how well you did this year?
Chiddi Obiazor: I was pretty happy this year, but next year, I do have higher hopes to win a state championship.
GopherHole: You guys are always used to being in the Prep Bowl most year. Is that something you guys have even talked about already to get even farther than you did this season?
Chiddi Obiazor: Yes.
GopherHole: How about basketball? You are just starting the season. What are the expectations for the Eagles this year?
Chiddi Obiazor: To win our section.
GopherHole: You play in one of the toughest conferences in the state with Wayzata, Edina and Hopkins is always good. Do you think that helps you that that you play in a tough conference and you normally play a tough non-conference schedule to get you ready for the postseason?
Chiddi Obiazor: I think all the tougher games that we play now is going to help us build our team for March and be ready for the playoffs and sections.
GopherHole: You currently play two sports. Have you thought about the future and playing just one or is it going to be hard to give up the other one? I know that you are a competitive kid and like to be out on the field or court. Is that going to be tough to play just one sport in college?
Chiddi Obiazor: Yes. I am thinking probably just one. I don’t know how manageable two sports would be in college.
GopherHole: What would it mean to be play Division I sports, either football or basketball?
Chiddi Obiazor: It has been my dream since I was a little kid. It is what I have worked really hard for.
GopherHole: What other schools are you hearing from in football?
Chiddi Obiazor: I’ve been talking to South Dakota, Vanderbilt, Iowa. Those type of schools.
GopherHole: Have you heard much from Minnesota yet?
Chiddi Obiazor: Yes. I’ve also been talking to Minnesota. I went on a couple of visits to Minnesota.
GopherHole: Did you get a chance to go to any college games this fall?
Chiddi Obiazor: I went to a South Dakota game and a couple Minnesota games..
GopherHole: Which Gopher games did you get a chance to go to?
Chiddi Obiazor: The Nebraska game was one of them.
GopherHole: What are you hearing from the Gophers? What are they saying to you?
Chiddi Obiazor: They really liked my performance at the camp and they want to see some more film before I get an offer.
GopherHole: Are you planning on doing some more camps this summer. I know that it is hard since you also play AAU basketball?
Chiddi Obiazor: I’m planning to work in some camps when I don’t have out-of-state tournaments.
GopherHole: What do you see as your strengths as a football player?
Chiddi Obiazor: My height and my athleticism. I’m very explosive.
GopherHole: What position do most teams see you playing in college in football?
Chiddi Obiazor: D End.
GopherHole: What schools are you hearing from in basketball?
Chiddi Obiazor: I’ve been hearing from Minnesota, San Diego and some others schools I can’t think of right now.
GopherHole: They have a young squad with some good talent on the team. You had some good chemistry last year. How much do you think that has helped your play?
Chiddi Obiazor: Just playing against high elite competition has definitely helped me elevate to a new level.