Egbuji has put together an outstanding summer for State 38 United, but he saved one of his most complete performances for this weekend. He embraced the role of team leader, constantly communicating, encouraging teammates and setting the tone with his effort and intensity. His final game was arguably his best of the summer, as he completely controlled the paint. He scored with his back to the basket, showcased polished post moves and finished with a soft touch around the rim while also throwing down several emphatic dunks. Egbuji proved he can dominate in multiple ways, combining skill, strength and leadership to anchor his team on both ends of the floor

I’ve seen Egbuji a few times to start the Spring/Summer already, and I was wondering why he was spending so much time on the perimeter, and now seeing another game from him, it makes a bit more sense. He’s going to have to find ways to score and not just work the high post on high/low action, and that’s where that change is coming. Fossil Ridge has two bigs trying to feed off of each other, and he’s also one of the better ball handlers on the team. Having him bring the ball up provided some spacing and allowed him to generate open looks for himself and teammates. He’s shooting mid-range shots, attacking off the dribble, and getting to where he wanted. He continues to rise as one of my personal favorite players in this class due to his versatility, and they’re going to have to be creative with how they use him. So guard play, coming off of screens, being on the block, he’ll have a different look each time out. 

Malachi is a two-way standout who has good length, a motor, and moves extremely well. He had some tough finishes at the basket, went on a few runs where he looked to score down low, and even stepped out and broke defenders down with iso baskets off the dribble. It looks like Malachi has been working on his ball handling and going off the bounce to get to his spots. He had a few mid-range jumpers, he played a bit more on ball than he did a season ago, and also had some high-low finishes and dump-offs over the top. He will certainly get a bump in usage this year, and Fossil Ridge made sure that he was part of every action that they ran. 

Egbuji continues to bring it every time out, playing at a consistently high level and setting the tone with his energy. He’s aggressive from the jump, attacking with confidence and using his quickness and strength to make things happen down low. He embraces the physical side of the game, battling for position and finishing through contact. On the defensive end he’s tough, active and hard to move, making opponents work for everything. Add in a smooth mid range game, and he becomes even more difficult to guard. Egbuji isn’t just productive, he’s reliable, bringing toughness and intensity that shows up in every possession

Egbuji is a must watch this summer because his blend of length, athleticism and upside makes him an intriguing prospect with plenty of room to grow. He runs the floor well for his size, giving his team an easy target in transition and adding pressure on opposing defenses. Defensively his interior presence stands out as he uses his length to alter shots, protect the paint and make finishes around the rim difficult. On the offensive end he continues to become harder to stop as his confidence and skill set expand. With improving touch, strength and finishing ability, he is turning into a more complete threat inside. As his game keeps progressing, Egbuji has the tools to make a big impact this summer

Malachi Egbuji Malachi Egbuji 6'8" | PF/C Fossil Ridge | 2028 State CO has refined his play style and adapted to tougher defenses as his role at Fossil Ridge continues to grow and expand. The giant big man knows how to manipulate defenses with his attention to detail and concise footwork. Averaging nearly 13.7 PPG, a massive uprising from 7.3 PPG his freshman year, improvement is inevitable for Egbuji. While his rebounding and defense should be the focal point of his offseason, Egbuji has all the tools he needs to become a star in due time. With this heavy amount of production and reliability from coaches, he’ll be the emphasis that every opposing coach wants to stop in the future.

Malachi’s sophomore season got off to a bit of a rocky start as he adjusted to being a forward and not the sole big man for Fossil Ridge, but fast forward to now, and he’s playing extremely well. He’s averaging 13.2 points a game on the season, but he got up to 16 a game in January and looked consistent and like his usual self. He has been efficient, run the floor for dunks and finishes in transition, and has been a force on the boards. They have a formidable front-court duo that has found some chemistry, and it has opened up his game. He’s certainly a player to keep an eye on, and he excelled in January. 

Malachi Egbuji Malachi Egbuji 6'8" | PF/C Fossil Ridge | 2028 State CO dominates the game in a multitude of ways and gives his squad the edge on a consistent basis. Competing at a high intensity level is the norm for Egbuji, as he can shoot over defenders at 6’8 and maneuver efficiently around the mid-range. Egbuji’s footwork around the paint impressed me, as well as his patience and pace of play.

Malachi is a player who had a solid freshman season. He was a player to watch moving forward that we were intrigued by, but when he got to come down and compete against top teams in the state and hold his own, he put everyone on notice. He’s 6’8, mobile, and ready to get inside and dominate. He defends without fouling, alters shots at the rim, and finishes well around the basket. Every opportunity he gets early to prove that he’s one of the best players in the class, I believe he should take it, as I feel he will be a sought-after player come junior and senior season. We want to see him there on September 7^th. 

Malachi Egbuji Malachi Egbuji 6'8" | PF/C Fossil Ridge | 2028 State CO takes the ‘all gas no brakes’ approach to the game, slicing through defenses and finishing at the rim creatively. The inside-out versatility that Egbuji has makes him such a dynamic big man for any roster. His ability to snag plenty of rebounds while blocking shots at the other end is remarkable, especially considering his class.