One of the top high school basketball players in the nation made his college decision Wednesday night — and it wasn’t the news Kentucky fans were hoping for.
Five-star small forward Baba Oladotun, a consensus top-10 talent in the 2026 class, announced his commitment to Maryland, choosing the Terrapins over Kentucky, Arkansas, and Georgetown during a live YouTube stream. The announcement came on the final day of the early signing period, delivering a late recruiting blow to the Wildcats.
Oladotun, a 6-foot-10 do-it-all forward with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, originally belonged to the 2027 class before reclassifying up a year in August. Even with the move, he remained one of the most coveted recruits in America, checking in at No. 10 nationally and No. 3 among small forwards in the 247Sports Composite.
He took an official visit to Kentucky in October and attended the Blue-White Game at Memorial Coliseum. Back when he was still in the 2027 class, he was also the first prospect in that group to earn a scholarship offer from new head coach Mark Pope.
“I’m a versatile player,” Oladotun told the Herald-Leader last fall after receiving his UK offer. “I’ve always played like a guard and can play positions 1 through 5. Shooting is my number one strength — I make 500 shots a day, seven days a week. I work hard on my skills.”
Basketball runs deep in his family. His father, Ibrahim Oladotun, played at Virginia Tech after earlier stops at Wagner and a Florida junior college. He praised Pope’s energy and personality in early conversations, calling him “the guy next door” and crediting him for the work he had already done in Lexington.
At the time of his reclassification, Baba Oladotun ranked No. 1 overall in ESPN’s 2027 class.
Now committed, he becomes Maryland’s fourth pledge in the 2026 class, joining four-star combo guard Kaden House, four-star forward Adama Tambedou, and three-star forward Austin Brown. New Terrapins head coach Buzz Williams — in his first season at Maryland — brings a résumé featuring 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, four trips to the Sweet 16, and an Elite Eight run with Marquette in 2013.
Maryland has started the year 4–1 after defeating Mount St. Mary’s on Wednesday.
What This Miss Means for Kentucky
Oladotun’s commitment marks another recruiting setback for Mark Pope, whose program has yet to secure a 2026 commitment.
Kentucky had previously landed D.C. native Acaden Lewis, a top 2025 point guard, but he decommitted before arriving on campus and now starts for Villanova. Earlier this week, five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. removed Kentucky from his final list despite an October official visit. And Wednesday morning, five-star center Arafan Diane committed to Houston, another head-to-head loss for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats still have several scholarship offers out, but not all are active pursuits. The most likely near-term addition is five-star power forward Christian Collins, who is expected to choose between Kentucky, UCLA, and USC.
For now, Kentucky remains without a single member in its 2026 recruiting class — and the search for a marquee commitment continues.
