The recruiting world just got turned upside down. Babatunde Oladotun — the towering 5-star phenom widely hailed as the crown jewel of the 2027 class — has pulled off a move that has Duke fans losing their minds and rival programs scrambling. In a decision echoing the meteoric rise of former Blue Devils superstar Cooper Flagg, the 6-foot-9, do-it-all forward has reclassified to 2026, putting him on the fast track to college stardom and possibly the NBA. This isn’t just a reclassification — it’s a signal that Oladotun is ready to take over the game now.
One of the top recruits in 2027 and a primary target of Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils has reclassified to 2006.
Babatunde Oladotun, a 5-star recruit and the No. 1 player in the class of 2027, will graduate a year early from Blake High School in Cloverly, Md., and follow in the footsteps of former Duke star and No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, in reclassifying.
“First and foremost, I am ahead of schedule academically and will graduate next year,” Oladuton told ESPN. “Most of my life, I have played up in age and after playing in the 17U division for Team Durant, I felt comfortable. I have gained 20 pounds over the last year and it never felt like I was playing up. Lastly, I am staying and graduating from Blake High School. It is a great environment, and I have a lot of support.”
Oladuton, a 6-foot-9 forward with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, has all the characteristics of a future top draft pick. From ESPN:
Oladotun is a legitimate three-level scorer. When he gets inside the arc, he demonstrates the ability to rise and shoot over defenders with balance and touch, and he converts at an impressive 52% clip, according to Synergy Sports. He’s unique because he has true versatility and NBA size. Oladotun’s passing and playmaking took a step forward this summer when he dished out the ball for 29 assists despite playing up. He’s both productive and full of potential.
Duke is one of the top schools recruiting him hard, along with Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland and Kentucky, among others. Virginia Tech, where Oladotun’s father, Ibrahim, played, is also among the schools actively recruiting him.
“We are looking for a coach that has a long history of teaching and winning,” Ibrahim told ESPN. “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.”
