In the college basketball world, they’re always looking for “the next big thing” who will go on to star in the NBA.
Baba Oladotun could be that young man.
And he’s going to do it a year sooner than expected.
This past week, Oladotun, an American with Nigerian parents, announced that he is “reclassifying” so that he will be leaving the high school ranks after this coming basketball season. That means he will be finding his way into the NBA, possibly as the #1 overall draft choice, in 2027.
At 6’9″ and about 175 pounds, Oladotun needs to add some weight, but his all-around skills stand out; scouts compare him to Kevin Durant, who has mentored him.
Learning from Durant
As he was competing for the Team Durant AAU squad, he would find himself shooting around with Durant and picking up valuable input by way of observation.
What’s perhaps most important about Baba’s arsenal is that it includes good habits and good instincts. One of his coaches described him as a “student of the game” and said he stays “morally grounded.”
Baba’s dad has some perspective
Oladotun’s father Ibrahim was a basketball player too, but did not push his son into playing the game. Rather, what he’s done is try to instill a sense of discipline and appreciation for personal development. That includes the academic side of things, where Baba excels. This is part of the “formula” for his success, as it helped him build his confidence and social skills.
Ibrahim did not begin his athletic career in basketball, but as an amateur boxer. But he began to idolize Hakeem Olajuwon, a fellow Nigerian, and that provided inspiration to play hoops, as he did at Virginia Tech and later in Europe. Olajuwon, who was perhaps the most complete center ever to play in the NBA, is obviously someone Baba looks up to as well.
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Where the next step takes him
Baba’s talent could have landed him at any number of private high schools in the Washington DC area, including the legendary DeMatha program. He chose instead to go to Blake High School, a public school. Last season he averaged 22.3 points and 7.3 rebounds and established himself as a potential top ten recruit.
He considered several options, including one of the many basketball-focused prep schools across the country. For example, Montverde Academy, home to Cooper Flagg and many other notable players—made the list.
But he’s reclassified instead, which will bring the invariable decision – where to play his college ball, if only for a year.
Every high-level program in the country is looking for an angle, and they have to step up their timetable now. Baba will visit Virginia Tech, where his dad played, and there are others under consideration, like Texas, Maryland, Gonzaga, Kansas (+1800 to win the national title according to BetOnline) and others who undoubtedly will flood his inbox with inquiries.
It’s a pretty good bet that he’ll be grounded throughout this process. Unless, of course, he’s on the court, in which case he’s going to fly high.
