Prospect Spotlight: Evan Obia (2019)
With such a wealth of talent within the Valley Tigers’ system right now, there’s guys that could be lost in the shuffle a bit at times.
Evan Obia, a 6-foot junior guard, will compete with a stable of solid guards, older, younger and even his same grade for playing time this season and next.
No matter his level of success with the Tigers the next two seasons, two that will certainly see them in state title contention; the fact remains, that Obia is one of 2019s best guards.
He was sensational two weekends ago at our Top 250 Expo in Des Moines, flashing a high level of skill, and a savvy that makes him a threat with or without the ball.
“I like to start with driving and kicking out to my guys, and if that’s going kind of well, I’ll try and switch it to more shooting, I would say I’m best with my pull-ups and off the dribble,” said Obia, who explained his spring and summer schedule.
“I was doing stuff with my high school team in June, and then I played with All Iowa Attack Red this summer. I’d say I was mostly working on my jump-shot, and being able to handle the ball better, and my confidence as well.”
Obia is aware that his role with Valley could be lesser than it would be with almost any other program in the state. But he’s embracing his role as a possible bench player.
“My role will probably be close to a sixth-man, and maybe even move my way up to a starter,” said Obia. “I’m just going to be that player that does anything for his team, just to get them a win. And that’s what I’m looking forward to this winter.”
Throughout his junior season, Obia will go head-to-head in practice every day against guys like Trayvon Williams, Braxton Bayless, Luke Sueppel and Carter Frey, and will inevitably improve from the stiff competition.
That’s a fair tradeoff for the hit in playing time he may take.
“Playing with them will just make me better,” said Obia. “it will pick me better and ultimately make me better and more confident.”
As for recruitment, Obia hasn’t had a lot of exposure just yet, but is certainly a college prospect. Some smaller Midwest schools have already taken notice.
“This summer was a little different for me, I was injured for a lot of it, so I didn’t get to see a lot of recruitment,” said Obia. “But some NAIA schools like Nebraska Wesleyan and William Penn have hit me up, just stuff like that.”