The good news on fall visits keep coming for Providence fans. Yesterday, arguably the best big man in the 2027 class announced four official visits, with Providence landing one of the four visits alongside Kentucky, Baylor, and Cal.
Uvwo’s story is remarkable. He went from an unranked big in late 2025 to a 5 star in the span of one AAU season, where he made his mark as the best shot blocker in his class. The Nigerian big man can legitimately make the case as best player in the 2027 class and would fit a tailor made fit for what Hodgson wants to do with his big men in his offense.
We break down his game below.
Player Recruiting Profile
The 6’10 225 big man is ranked 6th nationally on 247 Composite, a 5 star (obviously), and the top Center in his class. He weirdly is the third ranked player in the state of Florida, where he plays for Prolific Prep. He is behind in the state rankings the #1 and #2 players nationally in CJ Rosser and Beckham Black. Good company to keep.
For perspective, Friar target Carson Crawford is 50th nationally and the 11th player in the state while point guard target Aaron Britt is the 58th ranked player and 14th in the state. This is not a knock on either, as landing either of them would supercharge this Friar roster. It’s more an indicator of talent clustered in the Sunshine State.
Uvwo’s origin story is fascinating and part of why he may be the next elite name in college basketball. He is of Nigerian descent and only started playing basketball at 15. Some locals saw his frame while riding a bike and told him to ditch the bike and pick up the orange basketball. His lack of playing experience is his biggest selling point. He is a five star and only at the tip of the iceberg in terms of potential. Imagine how much better he will be in 2-3 years time?
Analyzing His Game
He is the elite of the elite when it comes to defense. He is the true definition of a rim protector. It is not that he is 7 foot plus and his measurables allow him to impact the game.
It is that he is 6’10 with a 7’7 wingspan and an absolute pogo stick on the court. For a person of his measurables with his wingspan, he is just such a fluid and graceful athlete. As somebody who loves and prefers defense over offense, he’s everything you want in a big. He is an eraser and cleans up a lot of “mistakes” from his teammates.
Some of my favorite highlights of his are the two handed blocks. He is going to have a few plays in college where he blocks a shot by picking it up out of the air with two hands…and I can’t wait for that.
He is not just blocking shots in transition or on help defense (which he is elite at). He is really good at walling up, staying patient, and leaving his feet once the defender commits to the shot.
While the defense speaks for itself, Hodgson has to be salivating at the thought of him on the offensive end. He is an incredible pick and roll big man who is a constant lob threat while also being able to gather off a bounce pass and finish at the rim.
He can also receive the ball in the post, gather himself, and finish around the rim. His post game is still a work in progress, but he will probably sleepwalk into being a 10/8/3 guy as a true freshman.
Due to his freakish athleticism, he is going to be a monster on the glass both in terms of securing rebounds, gathering second chance opportunities, and highlight reel putback slams.
What I think I love most about his game is his motor. He never seems to have an off switch. One of the guys I grew up loving was Kenneth Faried because he just never stopped hustling. The Manimal had an almost 10 year NBA career based solely on his rebounding prowess and non-stop effort despite being only a 6’8 forward. I see this same level of effort and intensity with Uvwo, and it’s worth noting Ovwo has much more impressive physical traits.
Recruiting Battle
In years past under Calipari, I think Providence fans would be resigned to us coming in second place to Kentucky. With Hodgson at the helm, Providence fans are right to be cautiously optimistic here. The running joke on the Elon app (and Kentucky fans got involved in the joke, good on them) was that they were aghast that Pope was losing battles to Hodgson and a rabid lunatic fanbase in Providence, Rhode Island of all places. Byrd and Pate were two wins over the Wildcats that shook Big Blue Nation to its core.
With all that said, we know Kentucky’s NIL is top notch even compared to Providence, and Uvwo is going to demand top dollar. This WILL become a bidding war, as the talent justifies the spend. As of now, you have to like Kentucky’s chances, but they don’t call him The Shark for nothing.
I’d also watch a team like Duke to emerge as a favorite here too. A visit hasn’t been scheduled there yet, but I know they offered, and Duke’s reputation as a one and done factory is well known.
May this photo be a foreshadowing of things to come?
Go Friars!
Providence Crier Recruiting Articles
Triston Hawthorne – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/08/25/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-forward-triston-hawthorne/
Moussa Kamissoko – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/08/25/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-wing-moussa-kamissoko/
Declan Griffiths –https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/08/24/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-small-forward-declan-griffiths/#more-14026
Micah Gordon – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/08/24/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-point-guard-micah-gordon/#more-14036
Asa Montgomery – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/08/24/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-wing-asa-montgomery/
Dylan Jones – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/07/16/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-wing-dylan-jones/
Carson Crawford – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/06/23/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-small-forward-carson-crawford/
Javion Tyndale – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/06/23/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-point-guard-javion-tyndale/
Brandon Woodard – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2026/08/24/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2027-forward-brandon-woodard/