It doesn’t take long to understand why Baba Oladotun is basketball’s next big thing. The Maryland native is 6’8″, has a great wingspan, and is a jumper that snaps the net like clockwork. Oladotun is a James Hubert Blake High School prodigy.
The lanky small forward is drawing quite a bit of attention from colleges. While he is still early in his growth curve, Oladotun is already showing the world that he is a promising player. And no doubt, the big names are taking notice.
All Eyes on Baba Oladotun: Duke Joins the Race for Rising Star
Recently, at the Nike EYBL, the buzz was tangible. And so was the presence standing courtside. The ever-so-iconic Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was not trying to hide. He was seen up front watching Oladotun play for Team Durant against Jet Academy.
With cameras rolling and SportsCenter Next capturing every dunk and deep three, it was clear: this wasn’t just another AAU game. It was a scouting showdown. And Olodotun did what he does best.
Baba Oladotun (No. 1 ESPN 60) dropped 20 points against Kenny Smith’s Jet Academy 🔥👀
Team Durant: 88
Jet Academy: 64 pic.twitter.com/8Mef9GiZMT— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) May 17, 2025
Oladotun went on to drop 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Whether catching defenders off guard with a step-back three or skying in for a dunk, he had the crowd. And Coach Scheyer was locked in.
Team Durant went on to win 88–64. And this is no one-time wonder, either. Just a day before this matchup, Oladotun had helped his team win 85–66. Next up, he will play the Sunday games against Vegas Elite and NY Rens. And with that kind of momentum, the next match is bound to be an Oladotun show. But why is Duke scouting so hard for him?
Well, besides being Duke, they’ve always had an eye for long, rangy wings with shot-making upside. And no doubt, Oladotun fits that mold to a tee. He’s still raw in some areas, sure, but the idea of refining that natural skillset under Jon Scheyer is an enticing one. However, let’s not forget that Duke is not alone in this dance.
Oladotun’s recruitment is quickly becoming a coast-to-coast affair. UCLA’s in with a strong early push. Maryland’s right in his backyard, and hoping proximity plays a part. Georgetown, Howard, and Rutgers have all made their pitches. And that’s just the beginning.
There’s also Texas, Michigan, Kentucky, Arizona State, Tennessee, and more lining up for Oladotun. In fact, Ohio State’s already offered Oladotun. This makes him one of just two prospects they’re going after in the 2027 class.
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According to On3, he’s currently ranked No. 9 overall, the No. 5 small forward in the nation, and the undisputed No. 1 in Maryland. The race to land Oladotun is getting more intense with each passing day.
The question now is: Who’s going to get Oladotun?
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