The recruitment landscape just got a lot more competitive. Baba Oladotun has reclassified from the 2027 class to 2026, accelerating his college timeline and putting major programs on high alert.
His father, Ibrahim, confirmed the strategic move that brings the elite prospect into an earlier recruiting cycle where heavyweight programs are already circling. As the 2025-26 college basketball season inches closer, which SEC programs are eyeing him, and when will he sign?
Why Did Baba Oladotun Reclassify to the 2026 Class?
Baba Oladotun has not finalized any college visits, though his father, Ibrahim, said those plans are expected to take shape soon. However, one school has already secured its position at the top of the list — the Kentucky Wildcats.
NEWS: 5⭐️ Baba Oladotun is reclassifying into the 2026 class, he tells @Rivals.
The 6-8 small forward has often been viewed as the top prospect in the 2027 class. https://t.co/Wwye9G0NBE pic.twitter.com/PNChituZrE
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 7, 2025
“100 percent. They’ve been on board from the get-go,” Ibrahim said. “Their interest has been consistent. Their energy has been consistent. We have to make sure we visit there. Coach [Jason] Hart has been very, very proactive. He’s been on it. He’s given us so many dates.”
The Wildcats were the first program to offer Oladotun when he was still part of the 2027 class. That offer remains in place following his reclassification to 2026.
“Coach [Mark] Pope has been great talking to us. They’ve been keeping in touch, as allowed by the NCAA rules,” Ibrahim said.
“I’ve been a big fan. I don’t remember too many games Baba played at the EYBL where I didn’t see Coach Pope and the staff. Coach Pope and Coach Hart are calling within the NCAA guidelines, but they’ve definitely shown interest. We told them earlier that we may be considering a reclass, so that’s something they’ve already bought into.”
How Does Cooper Flagg Factor Into Oladotun’s College Timeline?
Ibrahim made it clear his son is not approaching his career with a one-and-done mindset, using Cooper Flagg as a reference point for a different path.
“I don’t want him to be labeled as a one-and-done. Baba is not Cooper Flagg,” Ibrahim said. “I want him to go to a program where he’s going to be given the opportunity to be the best for himself and be a leader. He’s going to turn 18 in his freshman year. That’s why we’re not waiting until next year when he’s 19 as a freshman.”
He continued, “At least we know that if he’s not ready in year one, he can go in year two. I don’t want that label on him at all.”
The strategic timing behind the reclassification becomes clear through Ibrahim’s planning. Baba, a 6’9″ forward from Montgomery County, Maryland, is bypassing a year of high school basketball to graduate in 2026 instead of 2027.
“He took summer school the last two years to get ahead,” Ibrahim said. “You only need 22 credits to graduate in Montgomery County.”
This approach gives Oladotun flexibility in his development timeline while ensuring he’s not pressured into an immediate NBA jump.
What Can Programs Expect During Oladotun’s Recruitment Process?
Recruitment interest has been steady, with Ibrahim noting that many schools have reached out beyond Kentucky’s early commitment to the process.
“We’re definitely going to take a lot of visits,” he said. “College basketball has changed a lot. You want to see as much as you can see, but I know that there will be a situation where something just clicks for us. This is the right institution to be.”
In the 2024-25 season, Oladotun put up 22.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.8 steals per game, leading Blake High School in Silver Spring to a 23-2 record.
These production levels, combined with his size and versatility as a forward, explain why programs have maintained consistent interest even through his reclassification. The move puts Oladotun in direct competition with other elite 2026 prospects while giving college programs an earlier opportunity to land a player many considered the top prospect in the 2027 class.
