“Twenty minutes from the house,” his father joked as Baba Oladotun officially committed to the University of Maryland, announcing the decision live on his YouTube page Wednesday evening.
Oladotun, one of the nation’s top high school basketball prospects, made his choice at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, surrounded by family, friends, teammates, and a packed gym of Montgomery County basketball fans.
The 6’10” wing, ranked No. 8 overall in ESPN’s SC Next 100, chose the hometown Terps over Arkansas, Georgetown, and Kentucky. His father, Ibrahim, previously shared with ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi that the announcement would be made in front of the school community, something the Oladotun family wanted to keep local from the start.
Oladotun has rapidly become one of the most talked-about recruits in the country. Originally a member of the Class of 2027, he reclassified to 2026 after dominating local and national showcases, and is now a consensus five-star prospect.
At Blake, Oladotun averaged over 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game last season, leading the Bengals to a 23-2 record. His ability to handle the ball, shoot from deep, defend multiple positions, and finish above the rim has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, Brandon Ingram, and Jayson Tatum.
Scouts describe him as a “long and wiry” forward with elite scoring instincts and tremendous upside. Analysts believe his frame, shot creation, and defensive versatility give him one of the highest ceilings in the 2026 class.
His recruiting process included visits to several top programs, Kentucky, in particular, generated significant national buzz, but Maryland’s effort to keep the local star home, led by new head coach Buzz Williams, ultimately sealed the deal.
For Montgomery County hoops, the moment is historic. Few local public-school players have achieved this level of national attention, and Oladotun’s rise has placed Blake High School squarely on the national basketball map.
With his decision made and the hometown crowd roaring behind him, Oladotun now becomes the centerpiece of Maryland’s future, and one of the biggest commitments the program has landed in years.
