One of the most efficient scorers on the EYBL circuit with UPlay Canada this summer, Bakare transferred to Bella Vista Prep and makes his debut in the Prep Hoops national rankings just a few days after committing to Cal. Originally committed to Penn State, Bakare left Phelps School in Pennsylvania to head to the west coast for his senior season and will stay out west to start his college career. I’d assume Bakare gets his name added to a couple other national rankings list by the time his senior season wraps up.

There may not have been a prospect in the region who had more of a stock-rising spring than Bakare, who vaulted from an intriguing high-academic D1 prospect to a bonafide mid-to-high major recruit. An elite athlete by any standard, “Nyce” turned potential into production all spring, averaging over 14 points per game in the EYBL with UPlay Canada on blistering 48.5/40/88.2 shooting splits. His spotup shooting combined with his head-at-the-rim finishes off cuts or in transition earned him consistent buzz among college coaches, ultimately leading to offers from South Florida, SMU, and Penn State since the live period.

This week Bakare received an offer from South Florida. The USF staff must have been as impressed as we were with Bakare’s performances at EYBL S2. Across his last three games in Memphis, Bakare averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds per contest while shooting 38.5% from deep. He posted a weekend high 17 points (3 triples) against City Rocks (NY). Once again Bakare proved that he is a long, athletic, and high IQ prospect with three level scoring skills. Bakare torched opponents with his three-point shooting and dribble drive attacks on the rim. He was also a transition phenom who glided down the court and did not hesitate to flush on defender’s heads. At the other end of the court, Bakare’s physical assets, quick bursts and agility allowed him to switch 2 through 5.   

This athletic hybrid-forward saw his recruiting stock skyrocket during the 2024-25 season. Bakare is a high IQ scoring machine who can pop threes, slice through a defense off the dribble and slice to the cup for back door lay-ins. Bakare also excels on the fast break where he can finish with authority. This week Bakare received an offer from South Florida.

The outlines have always been clear with Bakare, as the swingman boasts the explosive athleticism and translatable 3-and-D skillset that can send coaches and scouts into a frenzy. It wasn’t until this year though that he began to put the pieces together consistently and produce at a high level with regularity. The best athlete on just about any court, the native of Canada routinely has his head near the rim whether skying for rebounds or finishing off cuts and transition leakouts. His improved consistency as a catch-and-shoot threat along with flashes in the dribble pullup game have made him much more dangerous in a halfcourt setting as well. The ceiling really starts to open up for Bakare if he can work on his ballhandling, but he’s established himself as a clear D1 prospect after his strong junior year.

It’s been an important season of progression for Bakare, as the Canadian swingman has gone from a deep reserve to a valued starter on the wing. In the biggest game of his career to this point, he made himself an immediate threat with multiple early jumpers that would help to stretch the defense for his teammates to create. The best athlete on almost any floor he’s on, Bakare also displayed his above-the-rim exploits while getting out in transition. He’ll likely never be relied upon as much of a ball handler or playmaker, but the way he’s been able to produce efficiently with limited usage should draw plenty of intrigue on the recruiting trail given the athletic tools he also brings to the table.

52 to 19…Despite holding offers from Arizona State and Washington, until recently it felt like that Bakare had been flying under the radar on a deep and talented Phelps School roster. Over the last few months this athletic hybrid-forward has produced several impressive performances and thus his recruiting stock has skyrocketed. Bakare is a high IQ scoring machine who can run at multiple positions. He can pop threes, slice through a defense off the dribble and cut to the cup for back door lay-ins. Bakare also excels on the fast break where he can finish with authority. As a bonus to his deep bag of scoring moves, Bakare is a fantastic distributor who excels at live dribble passing. On defense, his speed, agility, and length enable Bakare to guard 1 through 4.

On a roster filled with star power, Bakare is making a name for himself here in December. This athletic hybrid-forward averaged 16 points per game this week. The highlight of the week came when Bakare registered 22 points in win over College Achieve (NJ). Operating primarily from the wing Bakare drained threes, attacked the rim off the dribble and cut to the hoop for back door lay-ins. The combination of his speed, agility and finishing skills enabled Bakare to score in transition too. He also worked as a secondary ball handler. Bakare holds offers from Arizona State and Washington.

Bakare already holds a handful of DI offers, but if this athletic hybrid-forward continues to play at the high level witnessed during the Big 64, we expect offers will come pouring in for him this winter. Bakare is extraordinarily athletic and possesses excellent speed as well a significant bounce. That trifecta enabled Bakare to thrive on the fast break where he consistently finished with authority. In the half-court, he splashed threes, cut back door for alley-oops and created off the dribble. He also exploded to the rim for several put back buckets. On defense, Bakare was a plus player as he guarded 2 through 5 and blocked shots.