When Newman arrived to Babson College on Friday for the start of the first NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase, the Cardinals were missing one of their best players. There was a good reason. Collins Onyejiaka, the star big man for Newman and Team New England, is reclassifying to the 2025 class and making a late commitment to...
When Newman arrived to Babson College on Friday for the start of the first NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase, the Cardinals were missing one of their best players. There was a good reason.
Collins Onyejiaka, the star big man for Newman and Team New England, is reclassifying to the 2025 class and making a late commitment to Alabama, sources confirmed to New England Basketball Journal. The 6-foot-11, 270-pound center from Abuja, Nigeria, visited Alabama earlier this week and will bolster head coach Nate Oats' frontcourt in a big way.
Onyejiaka was a starter for Newman as he helped the school capture its first NEPSAC Class AAA championship. He averaged 9.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks for the Cardinals, which included a 14-point, 14-rebound, seven-block performance in the title game victory. Onyejiaka, who landed on our inaugural All-Class AAA first team, was arguably the most physically imposing big man in NEPSAC; he's a monster at the rim at both ends of the court, and his physicality, athleticism and interior defense should help him make an impact in the SEC.
Onyejiaka recently attended the NBPA Top 100 camp in Rock Hill, S.C., and he was ranked No. 92 in 24/7 Sports' Class of 2026 national rankings that were updated earlier this week. He is now ranked No. 114 in the 2025 class.
Onyejiaka will join fellow NEPSAC standout London Jemison (Bloomfield, Conn.), who starred at St. Thomas More, as incoming freshmen at Alabama next season.
