Meet the founder
Adeola
“AD” Ajayi
Founder & Executive Director
“My passion is to use basketball as a tool to educate and empower African children, helping them reach their full potential and make a positive impact on the world.”
Lagos → Sango Ota
Where it began
Born in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Adeola moved to Sango Ota, Ogun State, as a young child and grew up there in extreme poverty, with almost no access to basketball facilities or proper equipment. He later developed his game at Warriors Academy under the mentorship of Col. Sam Ahmedu and Coach Peter Ahmedu.
Source: aoaimpact.com; The Sun Nigeria, Apr 2025
2009
A scholarship to America
His determination earned him a high school basketball scholarship in the United States, a dream many children in Africa share. In the US he was taken in by Coach Curtis Berry and Dr. Jacqueline Walters.
Source: aoaimpact.com; The Sun Nigeria; Startland News
2010–11
Injury changes the plan
College scouts took notice, but in his junior year he developed severe stress fractures in both shins. He played through his senior season, but lost the chance at college scholarships.
Source: aoaimpact.com
2012
College of the Ozarks
He found the College of the Ozarks, a work college near Branson, Missouri, and made the team. Worsening pain led to surgery placing rods in both shins, then a second, emergency surgery three days later for life-threatening complications. He had to learn to walk again.
Source: aoaimpact.com
2013
The end of a playing career
Persistent pain through the 2013 season forced him to give up basketball.
Source: aoaimpact.com
2019
A new mission
Instead of letting setbacks define him, Adeola founded the Adeola Ajayi Foundation and returned home to Sango Ota to host the first AOA camp.
Source: aoaimpact.com
The full story
Footprints on Concrete: The Story of a Barefoot Dreamer Who Refused to Quit
Adeola tells the whole journey in his memoir.
Discover the book