Overview
Ernest Udeh Jr. arrived on the national radar as a McDonald’s All-American in 2022, capping a Dr. Phillips High School career that included a Class 7A state championship as a junior. He averaged 10.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game that title season, then put up 13.1 points and 9.2 rebounds as a senior. ESPN slotted him as a five-star, top-25 national recruit, and he joined Kansas. After a depth role with the Jayhawks as a freshman, he transferred to TCU and grew into a starter across two seasons, then landed at Miami for his senior year and broke out in the ACC. In 33 starts for the Hurricanes, Udeh averaged 6.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game on 73% shooting from the field. He earned ACC All-Defensive Team honors and a spot on the Naismith Men’s College Defensive Player of the Year Watch List while leading the nation in defensive rebounding rate.
Analysis
Udeh anchors the paint with length and physicality. He blocks shots, blows up actions and rebounds hard. He’s quick for his weight, which gives him switchability on the perimeter and an ability to recover. Offensively, he thrives as a lob threat, diving to the rim after picks. The center’s free throw stroke has climbed every year of his college career, with the most growth coming in his final season at Miami.
Projection
Udeh projects as an NBA energy big and defensive anchor who can step into a frontcourt rotation. His mix of size, length and lateral mobility translates directly to the modern center role. He fits any lineup that needs a vertical lob target on offense and a backline eraser on defense. NBA comparisons to Udeh can be made to players like Clint Capela and Bismack Biyombo.
— Profile by RotoWire.com