Top Basketball Recruit Baba Ibrahim Reclassifies to 2026,Family Emphasizes Development Over NBA Rush
MEMPHIS,TN – Highly-touted 2027 basketball prospect Baba Ibrahim has reclassified to teh 2026 recruiting class,but his father,Ibrahim,insists the decision is rooted in developmental prospect,not a fast track to the NBA or financial gain through Name,Image,and Likeness (NIL) deals. The news comes as Ibrahim is already familiar with the 2026 class, having competed against them extensively in club and elite camp settings.
“I don’t want him to be labeled as ‘one and done’ before he even gets to college,” Ibrahim said. “I don’t think kids should be labeled like that at all. You go into school at 18 looking for good development. We’re not trying to push him to do anything,to go to the NBA as soon as possible,nothing like that. And NIL was the last thing on our minds; obviously it comes with the territory in this day and age, but it’s not at all why we did it.”
The family is currently navigating the process of working with agents, but are prioritizing education over immediate action. “We’re talking to agents and educating ourselves, but we are not doing anything because thay say we need to,” Ibrahim stated.
Baba himself expressed comfort with the reclassification, noting a pre-existing familiarity with his new class. ”Mentally, it’s like I’m going back to my original class,” he said. “I vibe and chill with those [2026] guys all the time. It wasn’t until COVID that I ever realy played with my [grade] level. My dad always played me up to challenge me, and I hadn’t really ever got out of the 2026 mindset. I’m excited, not timid, about the challenges of college basketball. To play against the best of the best, that’s what I want.”
Currently playing for Team Durant on the club circuit, Baba has already begun a physical transformation, adding over 20 pounds sence last summer, with a goal of adding another 15-20 pounds of muscle in college. His father, who stands at 6-foot-8 1/2, believes Baba may still grow an inch or two, primarily in his torso, noting, “his legs are already longer than some 7-footers, his legs are done!”
Baba has benefitted from mentorship with Kevin Durant, whose name adorns his club team. Durant has emphasized the importance of continuous learning and discipline for a long professional career, advising Baba to “always [be] trying to learn from other players, and always continuing to develop their game.”
The reclassification also introduces a new dynamic within the Ibrahim family, as Baba aims to consistently defeat his father in one-on-one matchups. “He’s not used to playing up to my level,” Ibrahim teased. “When he can play up to my level, I’ll retire.” Baba, however, disputes his father’s officiating. “He doesn’t respect my foul calls,” he said, while Ibrahim countered, “I don’t have to respect foul calls made by a 16-year-old.”
