Odiase played high school basketball at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. He was ranked as a top-25 senior in the state of Illinois and the fifth-best center. Odiase helped the Vikings claim a conference title during his junior season and was named All-Conference. During his senior year, he averaged 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.[3]
College career
Odiase, a three-year captain, played 130 games at UIC from 2014 to 2018. He started 117 times, including all 102 under Steve McClain leadership. The Glenwood, Ill., native was named the Horizon League Defensive Player as both a junior and senior and he is one of only three players in Horizon League history to be named to the conference's All-Defensive Team three times. Odiase is the all-time leader for both UIC and the Horizon League with 361 career blocks. That number places him tied for 37th on the NCAA's all-time list with Harvey, Ill., native Melvin Ely.[3] As a senior, he averaged 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.[4]
In August 2024, The Puerto Rican Basketball Federation (FBPUR) authorizes the approval of the naturalization process of Tai Odiase in order to be able to represent Puerto Rico on the world stage.[13]