Ayo Dosunmu

Quamdeen Ayopo Dosunmu, known widely as Ayo Dosunmu, was born to Nigerian parents in Chicago on January 17, 2000. A Nigerian-American, Dosunmu carved out a successful career as a professional basketball player with the Chicago Bulls, a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Highly regarded for his time playing college basketball for Illinois, Dosunmu was honored as a consensus first-team All-American during his junior season.

Ayo descends from the Yoruba ethnic group, one of the dominant tribes in Nigeria, and his name translates to “joy” in Yoruba. The young talent started his high school basketball journey at Chicago’s Westinghouse College Prep. His impressive figures, including a season-high score of 40 points against Crane High School, not only helped his team clinch the conference championship against Al Raby High School but also earned him the Chicago Sun-Times All-City Accolades.

After his tenure at Westinghouse, Dosunmu moved to Morgan Park. He sprouted as a star player during his junior and senior years, leading the Mustangs to a 3A State Championship, even after sustaining injuries. His scoring of 28 points in his senior year state championship broke the Illinois High School Association’s record, cementing his name in the annals of the game.

In recognition of his hard work and dedication, Dosunmu was selected among 26 high school seniors to participate in the 2018 Jordan Brand Classic held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. He was the third player from Illinois, after Dee Brown and Jalen Coleman-Lands, to receive this honor.

In addition, Dosunmu participated in the Iverson Roundball Classic All-American Game – a testament to his exceptional skills on the court. His contribution to the Morgan Park’s second straight IHSA Class 3A championship domination was indisputable, averaging 25.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.7 steals. This achievement led to him being named a Consensus first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Champaign News-Gazette, and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA).

On October 19, 2017, Dosunmu committed to play college basketball for Illinois under head coach Brad Underwood, choosing Illinois over Wake Forest. His official induction into the institution took place when he signed his National Letter of Intent in November 2017.

Upon his college debut on November 8, 2018, Dosunmu lived up to his reputation, recording 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting, earning six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. His performance did not go unnoticed, and he received honors including the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, honorable mention for the All-Big 10 Team, and he averaged 13.8 points and 3.3 assists per game as a freshman.

Dosunmu’s sophomore season continued to show promise despite an injury encountered in a close loss to Michigan State that required an MRI. He was honored with a First Team All-Big Ten selection by the media and Second Team selection by the coaches, with averages of 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

In his junior season, Dosunmu returned to Illinois, determined to excel. He showcased his talent and determination setting personal records and making a significant impact on games with consistent triple-doubles, which led to his name being cemented as the third player in program history to register a triple-double. He concluded his illustrious three-year career at Illinois with a consensus first-team All-American title and the Bob Cousy Award, awarded to the nation’s top point guard.

Post his college career, Dosunmu declared for the NBA draft. His dedication and performance attracted his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, who selected him in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 38th pick. Since signing with the Bulls in August 2021, Dosunmu has continued to amass victories for the team, even breaking rookie records along the way. The decision to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls in July 2023 underlines his commitment to the team.

In addition to his NBA achievements, Dosunmu was among the select few to represent the United States at the international level for the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship. His average performance of 9.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds during the games contributed significantly to leading the U18 National Team to a gold medal.

Quamdeen Ayopo Dosunmu remains a prominent figure in the world of basketball, continuing the sports legacy of his Nigerian roots in the United States, and bringing honor to the Yoruba ethnicity in Chicago and beyond. Whether playing college, international, or professional games, Dosunmu possesses a unique ability to leave a profound mark on the court, a testament to his hard work, dedication, and exceptional basketball talent.