RICHMOND — Elias Obenyah is staying home.
The Salesian basketball star committed to Stanford on Monday, choosing to continue his career just 52 miles where he has become one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic guards. Obenyah, a four-star prospect in the class of 2026, announced his decision via the social media news account League Ready, which first reported the news.
Obenyah won the Tri-County Rock Division MVP last season and chose Stanford over Cal, Saint Mary’s, San Diego State and Colorado State among others. He was an all-Bay Area News Group first-team selection for the 2024-2025 season.
“I’m totally happy for him because he’s worked really hard to elevate his game to the point that it is now,” Salesian coach Bill Mellis told the Bay Area News Group on Monday. “I think Stanford has pretty much always been his dream school. So for him to be able to and fulfill his dream is pretty awesome.”
Salesian’s Elias Obenyah (2) is guarded by Riordan’s Cole White in the NorCal Open Division boys basketball semifinal, Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Obenyah was a key defensive player for Mellis during Salesian’s run to the CIF Open Division title game in 2023. Obenyah made another jump last season becoming the Pride’s go-to scorer while continuing to round out his game on defense.
In last year’s NorCal Open Division semifinal, Obenyah scored a game-high 29 points to help Salesian topple Archbishop Riordan at home.
While his play on the court has turned heads over the last few seasons, Mellis praised Obenyah’s commitment to the classroom as to why he has gotten to this point.
“He’s always been very serious about his academics,” Mellis said. “His parents have raised him right and to take his academics seriously,” Mellis said. “He would only be able to commit to Stanford if he was able to do what he’s done in the classroom.”
Stanford snags Obenyah just a few days after getting a commitment from consensus top-40 player Aziz Olajuwon, son of NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. As of Monday, Stanford currently has the third-best recruiting class in the country for the Class of 2026, according to 247 Sports, after receiving commitments from Obenyah, Olajuwon and four-star point guard Isaiah Rogers from SoCal powerhouse Centennial-Corona.
Related Articles
Archbishop Mitty senior Emma Cook commits to UC San Diego
Archbishop Riordan guard Andrew Hilman stays in the City, commits to USF
North Coast Section commissioner Pat Cruickshank to retire in 2026 after seven-year tenure
Getting closer: McKenna Woliczko’s long road back almost complete as college decision nears
Keshad Johnson’s Summer League slam brings back memories for San Leandro alum
Salesian will go into this season as one of the favorites to come out of Northern California. Along with Obenyah, the Pride boast a team that includes two-sport star Carlton Perrilliat, junior guards Asante Johnson and Ronnie Selleaze and senior forward Leon Powe.
For Mellis, the longtime coach expects Obenyah to be the senior leader for his team this upcoming season.
“He’ll play a lot of point guard for us this year,” Mellis said. “He’ll be the main leader this year. … He’ll take on that role and that responsibility of being one of the captains.”
Salesian guard Elias Obenyah (2) looks to drives past Saint Mary’s forward Tremaine Moore II (21) during the third quarter of a boys’ high school basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Richmond, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group)