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Kentucky 2027 Prospects to leave KHSAA

Kentucky 2027 Prospects to leave KHSAA
Photo: Next Up Recruits
Michael Roth
Michael Roth August 27, 2025 @ 11:01 AM
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In this article:

Obinna Ekezie Jr
Obinna Ekezie Jr 7'0" | C | 2026
OH
Davier White
Davier White 6'5" | SG | 2027
WV
Griffin Starks
Griffin Starks 6'8" | PF | 2027
KY
LJ Holman
LJ Holman 6'2" | PG | 2027
KY
Ferlandes Wright
Ferlandes Wright 6'8" | PF | 2027
KY
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep programs are securing top talents from across the country and Kentucky has been victim to numerous top talents from the state opting to play at prep schools instead of the traditional high school route. In this article we'll break down five notable 2027 prospects from Kentucky who have left the KHSAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2703014"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ae6b7df2e18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top prospects in the country, Ekezie was a Louisville native who moved to Prolific Prep last season before making the switch to Southeastern Prep for his junior season. Ekezie is one of the most dominant physical forces in the country with elite production in the paint on both ends of the court. Expect blue blood programs to be involved in Ekezie's recruitment with Kentucky, Louisville and Ohio State among the early schools mentioned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2272617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ae6b7df2e97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The third Newport prospect to leave the KHSAA for a prep school, Starks is joining Ekezie Jr at Southeastern Prep. Starks is extremely young for the 2027 class and still has a lot of upside left to reach. The way he handles the basketball and moves for a player his height and age is hard to find. Starks has the frame and physical traits to be an impact defender as well. Starks has been recruited by high major programs already like Ohio State and Cincinnati.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2380766"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ae6b7df2ee9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">White made the jump to St James Prep on the Nike Scholastic circuit after a strong sophomore season with Taylor County. One of the more polished wing scorers and shooters in the midwest from the class of 2027, White doesn't need much time or space to fire away from downtown. Excited to see him continue to play against top athletes after making an impact for Team Thad at the 16 U level this summer. I'd expect mid to high major programs to start making White a priority over the next 12 months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1751496"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ae6b7df2f31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more physically dominant players from Kentucky, Wright is leaving Fairdale to play at La Lumiere in the Nike Scholastic League. Wright had a tremendous summer for Indy Heat's 16 U group that won the Peach Jam championship. Wright holds four Division I offers but I expect that number to grow when more schools start to really prioritize the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2091803"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ae6b7df2f80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A state champion, Holdman played a key role for Great Crossing last season as just a sophomore. With a dominant month of June with Great Crossing, Holman opted to head for Hargrave Military Academy for his junior season. Morehead State, Youngstown State and Bowling Green State have all offered Holman and I'd expect more schools to follow. Holman has also announced a move to Kentucky Basketball Club on the Puma circuit for his 17 U grassroots season, he spent this summer with Brad Beal Elite's 16 U group as a complimentary piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Prep programs are securing top talents from across the country and Kentucky has been victim to numerous top talents from the state opting to play at prep schools instead of the traditional high school route. In this article we'll break down five notable 2027 prospects from Kentucky who have left the KHSAA.

Louisville
Obinna Ekezie Jr

Obinna Ekezie Jr

HEIGHT 7'0"
POS C
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Obinna
Ekezie Jr C
Class
2026
Height
7'0"
HS
Southeastern Prep
|
OH
Kentucky 2027 Prospects to leave KHSAA
One of the top prospects in the country, Ekezie was a Louisville native who moved to Prolific Prep...
Written by Michael Roth
Louisville
Read more at PrepHoops​.com
Prep Hoops

Obinna Ekezie Jr

State: Ohio
School: Southeastern Prep
Club: EYBL Vegas Elite
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Griffin Starks

Griffin Starks

KY
PF
HEIGHT 6'8"
POS PF
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Griffin
Starks PF
Class
2027
Height
6'8"
HS
Newport
|
KY
Kentucky 2027 Prospects to leave KHSAA
The third Newport prospect to leave the KHSAA for a prep school, Starks is joining Ekezie Jr at...
Written by Michael Roth
Read more at PrepHoops​.com
Prep Hoops

Griffin Starks

Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Newport
Club: Phenom United 3SSB
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Davier White

Davier White

WV
SG
HEIGHT 6'5"
POS SG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Davier
White SG
Class
2027
Height
6'5"
HS
Huntington Prep
|
WV
Kentucky 2027 Prospects to leave KHSAA
White made the jump to St James Prep on the Nike Scholastic circuit after a strong sophomore season...
Written by Michael Roth
Read more at PrepHoops​.com
Prep Hoops

Davier White

State: West Virginia
School: Huntington Prep
Club: Phenom United 3SSB
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Louisville
Ferlandes Wright

Ferlandes Wright

KY
PF
HEIGHT 6'8"
POS PF
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Ferlandes
Wright PF
Class
2027
Height
6'8"
HS
Fairdale
|
KY
Kentucky 2027 Prospects to leave KHSAA
One of the more physically dominant players from Kentucky, Wright is leaving Fairdale to play at La Lumiere...
Written by Michael Roth
Louisville
Read more at PrepHoops​.com
Prep Hoops

Ferlandes Wright

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Fairdale
Club: Indy Heat
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Youngstown State
LJ Holman

LJ Holman

KY
PG
HEIGHT 6'2"
POS PG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
LJ
Holman PG
Class
2027
Height
6'2"
HS
Great Crossing
|
KY
Kentucky 2027 Prospects to leave KHSAA
A state champion, Holdman played a key role for Great Crossing last season as just a sophomore. With...
Written by Michael Roth
Youngstown State
Read more at PrepHoops​.com
Prep Hoops

LJ Holman

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Great Crossing
Club: Tennessee Impact
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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