The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has honoured Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown with a traditional Yoruba name, “Babatunde,” during the American basketball player’s visit to Ile-Ife.
Brown, who plays in the National Basketball Association, was received at the Ooni’s palace on Monday as part of his visit to the historic Yoruba city.
The monarch was joined by other traditional rulers and palace officials during the NBA star’s visit.
According to a statement issued by the Ooni’s Senior Media Officer, Sodiq Lawal, the name “Babatunde” means “the father has returned” or “ancestor has returned.”
Ogunwusi explained that the name represented Brown’s ancestral identity and was intended to establish a formal connection between the basketball player and his Yoruba heritage.
Addressing Brown, the Ooni said, “This is to certify that you have been officially issued Babatunde as your traditional and ancestral name.
“Henceforth, you shall be known as Babatunde Jaylen Brown.”
The monarch expressed optimism that the traditional name would bring Brown good fortune while deepening his relationship with his ancestral roots.
Ogunwusi also used the occasion to highlight Ile-Ife’s place in Yoruba history, describing the ancient city as a centre of Yoruba civilisation and ancestral heritage.
He noted that slavery and forced migration had historically separated families and communities with shared ancestral origins across Africa and the diaspora.
The Ooni therefore called on people of African descent, particularly those in the diaspora, to reconnect with their ancestral roots and explore places linked to their history.
He said Brown’s visit offered an opportunity for the basketball star to gain a deeper understanding of his heritage and the generations of ancestral history preserved in Ile-Ife.
According to Ogunwusi, the palace remains a custodian of Yoruba ancestral history, royal lineage, cultural traditions and other aspects of the heritage of the Yoruba people.
He further encouraged Africans around the world to visit Ile-Ife and other sites connected to their ancestry, saying such visits could strengthen their appreciation of African culture, identity and history.
Responding to the honour, Brown thanked the Ooni for the warm welcome and hospitality he received during his visit.
The NBA star said the experience gave him an opportunity to learn more about his heritage and encouraged others to explore their ancestral roots.
