2027 No. 2-Ranked Baba Oladotun's Father Was 'Almost Brought to Tears' By Mark Pope's First Season at Kentucky

Baba Oladotun was the first player in the 2027 class to receive an offer from Kentucky back in September. He and his family have seen what Mark Pope has been able to do in just one season, and it’s not only been remarkable, but something that’s driving real emotion from the Oladotun family.

KSR+ caught up with his father, Ibrahim Oladotun, at the Nike EYBL Memphis session on Friday to talk about his son’s recruitment. He described his emotions upon seeing Pope’s first season at Kentucky.

“I was blown away. It almost brought me to tears,” Oladotun said. “Everything that’s happening to him is very historic. That’s just remarkable. Kentucky basketball, bluegrass, and all of that stuff are a big deal. It’s living the dream.”

Kentucky was in to see Oladotun play with Team Durant at the Nike EYBL in Memphis on Friday. He used that opportunity to go for 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting with four rebounds, four assists, and one block in a 71-74 loss to Nightrydas Elite.

“I just saw a guy who, first of all, wants to win,” Oladotun said. “He doesn’t come here with any type of role. He can do anything for the team. You can tell that he’s scrappy from the get-go with putbacks, steals, assists, distribution, and when he had the opportunity to finish strong, he finished very strong.”

‘It Doesn’t Get Better’ Than Kentucky

Kentucky’s history is something that appeals to Baba Oladotun and his family. The blue-blood status carries weight.

“It’s a great program. It’s probably one of the best in the country,” Oladotun said. “To match that with Coach Pope, that’s incredible. I like his energy. He also has NBA experience. It’s a very good program. It doesn’t get better. They’re the blue-bloods.”  

That’s not to say they won’t hear out other schools. With 34 offers already, they don’t want to count out anyone.

“We’re going to listen to everybody, whether they’re blue-blood or yellow-blood. We want to talk to everybody because it just has to be a fit,” Oladotun said. “A coach who knows how to use a big guard like him, he’s not a forward. He’s a one and two. He can play the three, but he’s a one and two.”

Even After June 15, Ibrahim Oladotun Will Handle the Recruiting

Come June 15, 2025, college coaches will be able to reach out directly to the class of 2027 prospects. Don’t expect any change in Baba Oladotun’s recruitment, however.

“I definitely want to handle all the calls,” Oladotun said. “I want him to focus on just being a kid and keep working. I’m going to handle that. We’re going to tell everyone the same thing. I mean, he’s 16. Remember, he’s 16. Some of these kids are 18 years old. We’re going to listen to what everybody has to say and let them know what we’re looking for. Then, we’ll go from there.”

Oladotun said they will likely take visits “when it’s convenient,” whether that be unofficial or official. At some point, they plan to narrow down his list, but they don’t know when that will come.

“We don’t know how many [offers] he’s going to get by the time he’s finished,” Oladotun said. “We have to keep doing what we’re doing.”

What will the family factor into a decision? For one, it’ll be fit.

“The important thing to me is that the coach can see him for his skill and size. He may end up being 6-10, but you can’t look at him as a 6-10 power forward. You have to look at him as a 6-10 one, two, and three. He can run the offense, catch-and-shoot, and run plays. He’s a perimeter player,” Oladotun said. “I also want to make sure the school has a traditional five and four. We need to make sure all of those guys are in place so that he can fit like a glove.”