 Ibekwe attended Carson High School in Carson, California.As a senior in 2002–03, he was a second-team "Parade" All-American after averaging 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game in leading his squad to a 23-4 record and a semi-final finish in the Los Angeles city championship.He also earned all-state honors and a first team "All-Dream Team" nod by the Long Beach Press-Telegram as a senior, while he was named to the All-L.A. city first team, the All-South Bay first team and his team's MVP as a junior and senior.