Who is Ade?

Adegboyega G. Ayodele Jr. began every morning with consistency and discipline, often rising before the sun to focus his mind and exercise his body in service of a lifelong commitment to athletics. Far from being a solitary creature, the youngest son of Chief. and Mrs. Gbolahan Ayodele spent his time on earth building and supporting teams -- whether those on the field of sport, in his promising professional career or those in his global community.

Born in Lagos on December 15, 1988, and raised between Nigeria, England, and the United States, Adegboyega, known as Ade, passed away June 23 2020 from colon cancer. He is the youngest of four siblings, JG, Ayo, and the late Debola Ayodele. Even though he was the last born, it was a running joke within the family that Ade was the last “first” born. He consistently demonstrated a commitment to group leadership that seemed more befitting the eldest child. He made sure everyone in his orbit felt secure, supported, and connected to one another -- often going above and beyond to spend quality time with his immediate and extended clan. He was a diplomatic personality, a kind listener who could easily broker solutions to conflict with precocious wisdom and infectious good cheer.

His skills as a team leader were developed on the actual playing field. He adopted his natural athletic talents to a remarkable career in a number of sports, including swimming, track, rugby, and golf. As a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina admitted on a full scholar-ship, he created standout moments in rugby, representing UNC in national tournaments, and scoring the winning try in a televised game against Army. He also picked up golf as a way to destress as well as network with his fellow classmates.

After graduating in 2011, he spent his professional career at the National Basketball Association, where he started with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a rising star in partnership management and business development at the Charlotte Hornets. Fred Whitfield, President of Hornets Basketball, said “he was the best teammate and we loved him”. Selfless and loyal, he once gave up his personal hotel room during the NBA All-Star weekend to accommodate a stranded Roy Williams, the legendary UNC head coach, who later welcomed him as a mentee. NBA colleagues remember him as a consummate bridge-builder, generous with connections and eager to link the United States to his home continent in the shared ambition to make basketball a global sport. “He made a huge impression on the NBA Africa team,” says NBA Africa managing director Amadou Gallo Fall. “We are dedicated to carrying with us the energy and enthusiasm Ade displayed for our game and for young people.”

In addition to being a rising star in the NBA, Ade took to the game of golf. He found refuge in the game and used it as a way to connect with others, particularly those older than him. Through golf, Ade was able to build strong relationships with his mentors as well as further develop the disciplined mindset that he was revered for having. Ade loved the hard-won and everlasting relationships that sports afforded him, especially golf, and was conscious that the opportunities that he got were not easily available to all.