Baba Oladotun Q&A: 'I want to be like a perfect player, I don't want to have any weaknesses'

Houston Rockets' Hakeem Olajuwon (34) looks to pass the ball under defensive pressure from the New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing during the first quarter of the fifth game of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden 17 June 1994. (Photo by BOB STRONG / AFP) (Photo credit should read BOB STRONG/AFP via Getty Images)

Your father grew up in Lagos, was inspired by Hakeem Olajuwon and made it to Virginia Tech. What do you know about your dad’s journey and what does it mean to you to be representing Nigeria here?

BO: Man, it's like a full circle moment. Obviously, he came from Nigeria and played at Virginia Tech. And yeah, he didn't get the opportunity to represent his country. Obviously, people know he's Nigerian now because the connection through me. But I feel like me carrying his legacy, like the whole Yoruba language and just being here connecting with a lot of guys and just wearing the jersey, seeing that the green and white flag... I haven't been back since I haven't been to Nigeria. So it's really encouraging just to represent it, still being tapped into my culture.

Have you studied Hakeem’s game, and what do you take from it?

BO: Yeah, man, my dad showed me a lot of footwork on Hakeem growing up. So a lot of my moves that I make, even on the perimeter and the post, are based on footwork. And Hakeem played soccer, and I played soccer as a kid, so a lot of the Dream Shake, obviously, you guys know that. A lot of up and under, step-throughs, turn-of-faces, all the moves that I got in my bag that are from Hakeem.

You said before you’ve never actually beaten your dad at one-on-one. What moves does he beat you with?

BO: He doesn't really even do any moves, bro. I think I said this in an interview, like, he just fouls, uses his elbows and stuff. And it's like, I can't really do anything. We haven't played in a long time. I'm going to get him back for sure. Once I get drafted, I'm going to get him.

What has your father taught you about the game itself?

BO: He just taught me patience and poise. A lot of my workouts are tailored on the moves, weaknesses and stuff that I do in the game. And it really challenges me. Like, he always tells me the truth whenever I have a bad game, whenever, like, I'm not doing something right. And he praises me, too. He praises me when I'm doing well, when I have a good game. And he really encouraged me to make other people better. We call it MOBs. So, yeah, that's something that I take from him.

You sat out with an ankle injury for quite a bit during your senior year. Watching the game from the bench, what did that teach you?

BO: Man, it was the best feeling in the world. I always like to take something positive from the negative. You know, me missing my senior season, obviously, I really didn't expect that. I wanted to be out there with my guys. But at the same time, I think it gave my teammates a lot more room to grow. It gave more spotlight on them. We went 25-3, and they won 20 straight games without me. So, I think a lot of my guys are committing to D2 schools, a couple D1s. So, yeah, it's the best feeling in the world, man. That was my goal, just to change the atmosphere in Montgomery County basketball.

How hard was it to turn down Kentucky when they recruited you?

BO: I mean, not too much to say. I mean, they recruited me pretty well. Their entire staff was great. Coach Pope, they hosted me on a great visit. So it was no knock to them. It was just that Maryland was the best fit for me. And that's what it came down to.

You were mentored by former NBA player Walt Williams for your high school career. Did that factor into your choosing Maryland?

BO: Not really. Walt Williams, I mean, he's one of my trainers. He's a good voice to have off the court, and he didn't really pressure me to go to Maryland. It was kind of like a collective effort. But I mean, it's a plus, you know, just having him there. Obviously, he was a legend there and a great player in the NBA. So, yeah, that's the perks of it.

He watched you when you were a freshman, and he took it upon himself to mentor you. I know you mentioned that it was a blessing, but what did that mentorship mean to you?

BO: We have similar play styles and similar frames. And I like to say I take a lot of its and bits from his game, just like the way he moves. He taught me a lot about getting downhill, and it really definitely helped to shape my game a little bit, like just getting downhill, hitting backboard shots. He worked on some weird old stuff, like, old move stuff. That kind of helps me in games. I pull out something like, oh yeah, they know I got that from the Wizard.

You played for Team Durant. Did you have a chance to talk to Kevin Durant?

BO: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, KD, he's a great person, great stand-up guy. Actually, I worked out with him a couple times. Last summer, I went to California, did a couple workouts with him with some of his trainers. It was really routine.

He's so disciplined, so I take a lot of stuff from him, and I'll call, text, check on him, and he checks on me too as well.

What kind of advice has he given you?

BO: Man, the biggest thing he told me was, like, just the discipline aspect of everything. Staying key to your work in the gym. Not getting off track with like the followers, the money, the social media and like staying true to why you're playing the game.

Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court during the final minutes of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

He told you to stay off social media?

BO: Nah, nah. He just told me not to let it like... Yeah, that's ironic, right? I don’t do that Twitter mess. That's not me.

Other than KD, are there any players you take things from?

BO: I take a lot from LeBron's game, just his IQ and how he sees the court. And I also take a lot from Bam Adebayo, just like his footwork in the four. My middle name's Adebayo, actually, so like, that's a fun fact. But I take a lot from just how he's poised inside the mid post and stuff. And I also take a lot from Jabari Smith. This is his catch-and-shoot game. Obviously,he's not like a superstar in the NBA, but I like the way his play style. And then Brandon Ingram, like, gets his spots, rising over defenders.

Apr 10, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) watches his teammates during warm ups before the Trail Blazers play against the LA Clippers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Throughout high school for you, have you gotten a chance to talk to any NBA players?

BO: Yeah, a lot. Dame Lillard. We're cool. I went to his camp, got his number. We check in. He talks to me all the time. Just give me tips and advice and just play hard. That's it.

What do you feel you need to improve on the most in the short-term?

BO: I think I need to improve my leadership. I feel like I'm a very vocal person, but I think like taking charge more. Especially like coming to my role at Maryland, we're trying to win a national championship. So it starts from day one. I'm just going to be a leader. I just want to make sure I'm getting better at my rebounding as well. Being more physical, off the glass, and being more intentional with that.

What about improvement in the long term?

BO: I think everything. Yeah, I want to be like a perfect player. I don't want to have any weaknesses. So I have a couple weaknesses right now, so I want to sharpen all those before I get to Maryland. So that's another one goal for me.

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Baba Oladotun Q&A: 'I want to be like a perfect player, I don't want to have any weaknesses'