Ooni of Ife Names NBA Star Jaylen Brown ‘Babatunde’

On Monday, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, hosted American basketball player Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics at his palace. During the visit, Ogunwusi bestowed upon Brown the traditional Yoruba name "Babatunde," which means "the father has returned" or "ancestor has returned." The Ooni described this name as a formal connection to Brown's Yoruba heritage and ancestral roots, stating, "This is to certify that you have been officially issued Babatunde as your traditional and ancestral name." Ogunwusi expressed hope that the name would bring Brown good fortune and strengthen his ties to Yoruba culture.

He highlighted the historical significance of Ile-Ife as the center of Yoruba civilization and urged people of African descent, especially those in the diaspora, to reconnect with their ancestral roots. Brown expressed gratitude for the warm reception and noted that the experience deepened his understanding of his heritage, encouraging others to explore their ancestral connections.