Fordham Lands Top Recruit Kelvin Odih via Transfer

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Fordham University has secured the transfer of Kelvin Odih, a former four-star recruit from St. John’s, ahead of the 2026-27 basketball season. Odih’s addition is expected to strengthen Fordham’s competitiveness in the Atlantic 10 Conference as the program looks to end its NCAA Tournament drought dating back to 1992.

Fordham University has secured the transfer of Kelvin Odih, a former four-star recruit and standout at St. John’s, marking a significant acquisition for the Rams’ men’s basketball program. Odih joins Fordham ahead of the 2026-27 season, becoming the program’s highest-ranked recruit since Jio Fontan in 2008.

Odih’s collegiate journey began with a commitment to West Virginia under coach Darian DeVries. However, after DeVries departed for Indiana, Odih reopened his recruitment and ultimately chose St. John’s over offers from Marquette, Rutgers, and Utah. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Odih built his reputation at La Salle Academy, where he averaged 19.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game. He later transferred to South Kent School in Connecticut before finishing at SoCal Academy.

During his freshman season at St. John’s, Odih’s playing time was limited. He appeared in only 10 games, averaging 1.5 points per contest while contending with two injuries. The arrival of new talent via the transfer portal at St. John’s under coach Rick Pitino further reduced his opportunities on the court. Seeking a fresh start and increased minutes, Odih remained in New York and opted to join Fordham.

The addition is expected to bolster Fordham’s competitiveness in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Nick Light, Odih’s former AAU coach with Rhode Island Elite, highlighted Odih’s defensive and rebounding abilities as key assets. “Kelvin is a high-level athlete whose ability to defend and rebound will help Fordham win games from Day 1, adding his growing skill set,” Light said. He also predicted that Odih could have a significant impact on the Rams’ fortunes this season.

Fordham has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 1992 and has yet to win an Atlantic 10 title. With Odih’s arrival, the program is aiming to build a deeper and more competitive roster capable of ending that drought. As a promising young talent with a strong athletic profile, Odih is viewed as a pivotal figure in the Rams’ efforts to elevate their basketball program in the coming years.