MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Ross Hodge and West Virginia basketball may have its sights set on a truly program-changing talent.
Paul Osaruyi, a 6-foot-10 Canadian forward and one of the most highly regarded prospects in high school basketball, is emerging as a serious name to watch for the Mountaineers. Osaruyi currently plays at powerhouse Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona, the same program that features current WVU commits Miles Sadler and Aliou Dioum.
Osaruyi’s résumé is as impressive as it gets for a prospect in the 2027 class. He is ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the country, the No. 1 player in the state of Arizona, and the No. 2 center nationally in his class. Simply put, he is already viewed as a future star and the recruiting attention reflects that.
Recently, Osaruyi spoke with Jamie Shaw of Rivals and provided insight into where his recruitment currently stands.
“I haven’t been on any official visits yet,” Osaruyi said. “I’d say I hear the most from West Virginia, Houston, Arkansas, Texas, and Illinois, right now.”
West Virginia’s presence near the top of that list is not accidental. The Mountaineers have been building a relationship with Osaruyi for years, particularly through assistant coach Yusuf Ali.
“I know my guy, Coach Yusuf Ali, is over there,” Osaruyi said. “He has been recruiting me since I was a freshman. So I’ve been able to grow a relationship with him over there.”
That relationship is further strengthened by Osaruyi’s close ties to Sadler and Dioum, both of whom are already committed to WVU.
“Two of my teammates, Miles (Sadler) and Aliou (Dioum), are going over there. I’m familiar with their coaching staff and their playstyle, but I got to get over there and see more for myself,” Osaruyi said. “Miles and Aliou are always telling me that I got to be a Mountaineer and come join them. We’ll see what the future holds, but they’re a great group of guys.”
The Voice of Morgantown was able to speak exclusively with Osaruyi’s current teammate and WVU commit Aliou Dioum to get a clearer sense of just how real West Virginia’s chances are. When asked directly, “Does West Virginia have a legitimate shot at Osaruyi?” Dioum didn’t hesitate.
“Yes sir, for sure!” Dioum told The Voice of Morgantown.
That confidence from someone already inside the Bella Vista Prep locker room — and headed to Morgantown — only adds fuel to the growing belief that WVU is firmly in this race.
While West Virginia is heavily involved, Osaruyi is also being pursued by national powers such as Houston, Illinois, Texas, and Arkansas, and realistically, that list is only going to grow. Given his size, versatility, and production, nearly every major program in the country is expected to come knocking.
On the court, Osaruyi brings a modern, positionless skill set that fits today’s game perfectly.
“I’ll describe my game as like a stretch big who could play one through five,” Osaruyi told Rivals. “Just run the floor. People look at me, and they don’t think I can run the floor. So I use my size to my advantage, rebounding, blocking shots, and just kind of be a dominant figure for my team.”
His basketball influences speak volumes about his style of play.
“I watch a lot of Giannis, and sometimes Kevin Garnett, for the footwork. But really, I like players who are just dominant for their teams, even if it is just a role player like Obi Toppin.”
If West Virginia were somehow able to land Osaruyi, it would represent a historic moment for the program. He would instantly become the highest-rated recruit in the history of WVU basketball, signaling a major shift in national perception and recruiting reach for head coach Ross Hodge.
There is still a long road ahead in this recruitment, and official visits will play a major role. But with trusted coaching relationships, familiar teammates already committed, and growing national momentum, West Virginia is not just involved, it’s a real player.
And if Aliou Dioum’s confidence is any indication, Mountaineer fans may want to keep a very close eye on this one.
