Talented young center Ike Obiagu seeks transfer from FSU basketball

The 2017-2018 Florida State basketball season ended on an indisputable high note, with the Seminoles putting together an impressive run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, a result better than even the most optimistic FSU fans could have envisioned. Yet in the wake of that impressive campaign, a couple of instrumental players have opted to leave the program. And while one departure is far from surprising, another is downright shocking.

Point guard C.J. Walker’s decision to head back to his native midwest was entirely understandable, given the emergence of Trent Forrest at the same position. However, the recently announced exodus of Ike Obiagu, who had just completed his first year of college ball, is another story altogether.

A 7-foot Nigerian, Obiagu showed enormous potential in his lone season with the Seminoles, deftly patrolling the lane as an adept shot-blocker. Blocking shots is much more than a function of mere height: the skill requires an innate sense of timing that is often understated. Obiagu displayed an intrinsic ability to alter opponents’ offenses— now, the questions surround where he will showcase his gift next, as well as why, exactly, he left FSU.