Babalola’s Basketball Search Brings Him to Clemson

Feb. 10, 2005

By Ashley Washington Clemson Sports Information

Basketball courts can be found in nearly every neighborhood, school and also churches in America. One Clemson player traveled thousands of miles to play on one.

Clemson’s senior forward, Olu Babalola, never even touched a basketball until the age of 14. While simply playing around with a basketball one day, Babalola found his love for the game. “I remember making my first shot, I was so amazed. I quit all of the other sports that I played,” said Babalola.

While time or money did not withhold the London native from playing on his own, it was actually finding a court to play the game that presented the challenge. “There were not many places to play, I always had to search for a court.” Although the opportunities may have been few, Babalola worked hard on his skills for the game.

There are many stories in which players are stars from childhood and expectations are set high during middle and high school. For Babalola, basketball was still only a hobby, as the sport never acquired popularity in his native country. “My [middle] school didn’t even have a team until my last year. And we played so bad; I even scored 82 points in one game.”

The lack of opportunities to play in London would not be the reason that Babalola would not play for better teams. Babalola and a few of his friends had developed good skills in the game. Not wanting each of their talents to go to waste, the group of young men found help from a local coach to help get them in a better basketball world. “Coach Joe [White] helped us to play in the states and now we are all playing all over the country. He helped to put us in the position where it is now possible to play at the next level.”

Before the start of his sophomore year in London, Babalola and his teammates traveled to Iceland for a tournament. It was there that the opportunity to play in a country where basketball was more prominent became available. “Quite a few American high schools wanted me to play for them,” says Babalola.

Following the tournament in Iceland, Babalola recalled his mother’s disbelief that he would be leaving to play in the States. “My mother always thought that I was joking until she saw how serious I was about basketball. She also understood that basketball kept me out of trouble.”

Once in the States, Babalola made his mark while playing in Richland, NJ, for St. Augustine Prep. Babalola made third-team all-state during his junior year and quite a few colleges and universities noticed his talent. “I had a scholarship offer from every school in the Big East,” says Babalola.

During his senior year, Clemson became one of the more active recruiters for Babalola. “Clemson’s staff was very active in recruiting me during the summer. It was appealing that they [Clemson] wanted me so much,” says Babalola.

Making the transition from the London culture to American culture was different, yet intriguing. But moving to the South introduced a few complications and differences to Babalola. The complications did not stem solely from cultural differences, but were a combination of social life and playing basketball on the college level.

“My Freshman year was the most frustrating [year] of my life. I wasn’t playing as much and the lifetstyle was different.” Babalola did not allow his frustration to overwhelm him, as he focused on the following season.

“My sophomore year was much better, and I had a lot of fun. I still wasn’t fully adjusted socially, but basketball made things so much more fun.”

During his sophomore year, Babalola had to deal with the loss of White, his mentor and coach in London. In December of 2002, he learned of his illness and flew back to London, only to learn he had passed away while Babalola was on the plane.

Babalola has matured as a player and a person throughout his Clemson career. On the court, he has been a starter for most of the last three years. He has been among the more successful Tiger players in the clutch, dating to his sophomore year when he made two free throws with 5.7 seconds left to give Clemson a one-point win against Virginia. This season he scored what proved to be the winning field goal in the win at Florida State.

His top game in 2004-05 came at Virginia when he led Clemson in scoring (22), rebounding (7) and assists (5) in the same game. He became the first Clemson forward in 34 years to lead Clemson in those three categories in the same game.

While making the adjustment to life in Clemson, Babalola says that it has made him appreciate his family and home more. “When I was at home [London], I took a lot of things for granted. Little things that I hear through the phone make me miss it, even when I talk to my sister and hear the clock in the house sound.”

Babalola searched the streets of London for the game, the game has in return found him, and has given him opportunities beyond the British territory.