The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has hosted NBA star Jaylen Brown at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where the American basketball player was formally given the Yoruba ancestral name “Babatunde.”
Brown visited the Ooni’s palace on Monday and was received by the monarch alongside other traditional rulers and palace officials. During the visit, Ogunwusi described the occasion as an opportunity to strengthen the basketball star’s connection with Yoruba heritage and the wider history of Africans in the diaspora.
According to the statement from the Ooni’s palace, “Babatunde” means “the father has returned” or “the ancestor has returned.” The monarch described the name as an ancestral identity for Brown and formally declared that he would henceforth be known as “Babatunde Jaylen Brown.”
Ogunwusi said the naming was connected to Ile-Ife’s historical and spiritual importance in Yoruba civilisation. He noted that slavery and forced migration had separated families and communities with shared African ancestry and encouraged people of African descent, particularly those in the diaspora, to make greater efforts to reconnect with their roots.
The Ooni also encouraged members of the African diaspora to visit Ile-Ife and other places associated with their ancestral history. He said such visits could provide opportunities to learn more about African culture, identity and traditions preserved over generations.
Brown expressed appreciation for the reception and hospitality he received at the palace. The NBA star said the experience gave him an opportunity to learn more about his heritage and encouraged people to make efforts to visit and understand their ancestral roots.
The visit carries significance beyond the naming ceremony because of Brown’s profile in American basketball. The 29-year-old is a five-time NBA All-Star, an NBA champion and a former NBA Finals MVP. He spent the early part of his career with the Boston Celtics before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2026 off-season.
Brown’s visit therefore gives Ile-Ife another international platform to showcase Yoruba history and culture, while the conferment of a traditional name provides a symbolic link between the ancient Yoruba city and the African diaspora.
For the Ooni's palace, the engagement also fits into its broader emphasis on encouraging people of African descent to reconnect with the continent. For Brown, the visit offered a personal opportunity to explore a part of African heritage while receiving a name that the monarch presented as a connection to ancestral identity.
The occasion reflects the continuing cultural relationship between African societies and the global African diaspora, with Ile-Ife remaining an important reference point in Yoruba history and identity. Brown’s acceptance of the name and his comments about learning more about his roots added a personal dimension to the cultural exchange.
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