In a ceremony celebrating African heritage and global sports excellence, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, hosted American professional basketball star Jaylen Brown at his palace on Monday, September 7, 2026.
During the reception, the revered monarch conferred the traditional Yoruba name “Babatunde” on the NBA forward. The event took place inside the Enuwa Palace in Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba nation.
The Boston Celtics star arrived alongside a delegation of sports executives and cultural ambassadors aimed at bolstering youth empowerment and basketball development initiatives across Africa.
Welcoming the guest, the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, stated that the visit highlights the strong cultural bridge connecting the African diaspora with their ancestral roots.
Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi explained the spiritual significance of the name bestowed upon the athlete.
”The name ‘Babatunde’ means ‘the father has returned,” the Ooni remarked during the traditional naming rites. “It is a symbolic welcome home to our brother who, despite achieving immense success on the global stage, has shown a deep reverence for his African identity and the development of the youth.”
Jaylen Brown expressed profound gratitude for the royal hospitality and the cultural honor, describing the experience as deeply moving and transformative.
Speaking on behalf of the NBA star’s delegation, media strategist and liaison Kazeem Famuyide noted that the visit marks the beginning of long-term sports and educational partnerships within the region.
The ceremonial bestowal was capped off with traditional Yoruba drumming, presentation of royal attire, and guided cultural tours around the historic palace grounds.
