College basketball coaches have been tracking Baba Oladotun for years. The 6-foot-9 Maryland wing doesn’t even turn 17 until December, yet he’s already sitting on over 50 offers from powerhouse programs. Oladotun has attracted attention from Kentucky, Maryland, Arkansas, Arizona State, BYU, Notre Dame, USC, UCLA, and dozens more.
Once crowned the top prospect in the high school class of 2027, Oladotun’s blend of length, skill, and potential has him pencilled in as a future NBA lottery pick. However, as of last week, the story has taken a dramatic turn that could reshape his entire college trajectory.
How Did Baba Oladotun’s Weight Room Transformation Lead to His Reclassification?
On Aug. 7, following the steps of names like Cooper Flagg and AJ Dybantsa, the five-star forward announced he was reclassifying into the 2026 class. This move accelerates everything by a whole year, thrusting him into the spotlight sooner than anyone expected. According to James Hubert Blake High School head coach Brandon Howel, who’s coached Oladotun before, the decision comes at just the right time.
One of the significant issues that came up in scouting reports with Oladotun was his slight build. At 6-foot-9 with a wiry frame, his Kevin Durant-like physique had coaches loving his offensive tools but wondering if he could handle the bruising college game. While talking to On3, even Howell admitted that, “That was the stigma earlier on.”
However, things have changed dramatically. As per Howell, “He’s been in the weight room, worked extremely hard on his body, and now he initiates contact instead of receiving it.” Over the past year, Oladotun has added 20 pounds to his frame and transformed into a player who welcomes physical play rather than shying away from it.
5 Baba Oladotun (No. 1 ESPN 60) was ACTIVE in his debut at Nike Elite Top camp in St. Louis. @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/Ryltw4r8js
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) June 17, 2025
The results have been hard to ignore on the court. As a sophomore, Oladotun averaged 22.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.8 steals per game, leading Blake to a 23-2 record. On the AAU circuit with Team Durant’s 17U squad, he showcased a complete three-level scoring game and proved his newfound physicality translates to production.
Why Is Mark Pope’s Kentucky System Perfect for Baba Oladotun?
The Kentucky Wildcats were one of the early programs that recognized Oladotun’s potential. Head coach Mark Pope offered Oladotun back in September 2024 and has maintained constant pressure ever since, making the forward one of his top recruiting priorities. Kentucky is yet to land a commitment in its 2026 class, making Oladotun an even bigger target.
With a 6-foot-11 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach, Oladotun represents an emerging two-way force that could transform Kentucky’s ceiling. While Pope has proven he can develop offensive players, this recruitment isn’t a rushed decision. Oladotun already knows exactly what he wants from his college choice.
here’s some of my analysis on baba oladotun from my 2026 top 10 ranking. i don’t quite view him as a top prospect yet, but the coordination and skill are enticing https://t.co/hxRmJWq1CO pic.twitter.com/NuQdbeoySE
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) August 7, 2025
According to Oladotun’s father, Ibrahim, who finished his career at Virginia Tech, “We are looking for a coach that has a long history of teaching and winning. Someone who knows how to use a big guard and has a history of coaching big guards. A coach that also plays an NBA-style offense with quick actions.”
Kentucky could check every box for Oladotun. At BYU, Pope built one of the most dynamic offensive systems in the country, creating exactly the environment the family seeks. In 2023, BYU averaged 32 three-point shots a game, totaling 1,087 attempts for the season. That was the tied for first in all of Division I, showcasing Pope’s commitment to modern basketball.
Pope’s five-out offense spreads the floor, creating driving lanes and forcing defenders to choose between guarding the arc or protecting the rim. That system represents a dream scenario for players like Oladotun, who can operate from multiple positions and attack mismatches. Pope compiled a 110-52 record at BYU, and in his debut season at Kentucky, he posted a 24-12 overall record.
BYU (Mark Pope) | Five-Out Offense
Tenets of Pope’s offense:
Keeping the lane open (hence Five-Out)
And the refusal to “fight the defense” – when overplayed simply cut into the open space near the rim#5outsummer pic.twitter.com/4H5JRHhSnG— Radius Athletics (@RadiusAthletics) April 12, 2024
Pope’s system emphasizes efficiency and balance through constant ball movement, spacing, and quick-action sets. That approach mirrors exactly what Oladotun’s father describes as their target: “an NBA-style offense.” The fit appears natural, but Kentucky faces serious competition for his signature.
Oladotun has already lined up an official visit to Maryland, where Buzz Williams will get his chance to convince the Silver Spring native to stay local. However, Maryland represents just one of 53 programs pursuing him. With Pope’s persistence and early belief in Oladotun’s potential, Kentucky remains very much in the race, setting up what could become one of the most-watched recruiting battles of the next year.
