Bears Pull Off a Surprise With Anyanwu's Signing

Seldom does a player of note slip far enough off a fan base's radar as a signing option to be a surprise, but the Bears pulled a surprise today, announcing the signing of 6-7/220 Cathedral Catholic PF Obinna Anyanw to a National Letter of Intent.

Rated the 4 stars on Rivals and 3 stars (89 grade) and the number 24 power forward in the country, Anyanwu was a nice pickup to round out the 2021 class, which includes wing Sam Alajiki‍ and Bishop O’Dowd guard Marsalis Roberson‍.

Anyanwu announced his signing today via Twitter video, saying:

“I’m excited to sign my National Letter of Intent today to join the Cal Bears. I wanted to thank Coach Fox and the whole Cal basketball program as we work to reach our goals. 

“Stay safe, God bless and Go Bears!”

Anyanwu, a senior at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, is a two-time CIF champion and one of the top-rated forwards in the state of California. He earned CIF San Diego Section First Team honors each of the past two years and was an all-state selection as a freshman. With his AAU team, Dream Vision, Anyanwu won the 2016 AAU Division I national championship.

“Obinna is big and can play the three or the four position,” Fox said. “He’s physically imposing, and his motor is what immediately drew us to him. He’s relentless and attacks the basket and the boards with energy. His skills have developed to where he can now consistently knock down the outside jump shot, and we see him only getting better.”

Anyanwu was rated in the Top 100 in the 2021 class until going through a car accident that hurt his stock but he appears to be healthy at present.

The Bears beat out USC, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, Texas, LSU and Miami for Anyanwu’s services.