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Obama Presidential Center grand opening featured a former Illinois basketball star

Illinois basketball has made an impact on the court, but one of our former stars is taking in a big impact that is happening off the court in his hometown.
ByRees Woodcock|
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May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) dribbles up the court in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) dribbles up the court in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Success on the court for the Illinois basketball program has been a new thing over the last seven or so years.

There is no doubt that what Brad Underwood has done for the Illini is something that puts him in the upper echelon of coaches who have come through Champaign. Underwood’s remarkable turnaround of the Orange and Blue started almost immediately with Ayo Dosunmu’s commitment.

Dosunmu went on to have a great career with Illinois, notching a No. 1 seed in his final year with the program. The Chicago native then went on to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls before getting traded this past season to a championship contender, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

While Dosunmu relishes putting up 43 points in an NBA Playoff game to beat one of the greatest players of all time, he also has a lot of interests off the court that impact his community.

Being from Chicago and wanting to see the city thrive, Dosunmu was one of the distinguished guests at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center.

As described by former President Barrack Obama, “We wanted the center to be a vibrant, living celebration of community, where we can learn together and share the joys of art and music and sport and play, because it’s in those moments that we’re reminded of our common humanity and strengthen the bonds of trust that not only make our lives richer, but make our democracy stronger."

Dosunmu was one of many guests at the grand opening. He joined the likes of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, and Oprah Winfrey, among others.

ABC 7 Chicago caught up with Dosunmu during the festivities to get his thoughts on why he attended the event and the meaning of it all.

“I just think this is a very important event. President Obama means a lot, not to myself, but for the whole community. So, just me being a part of this, I am excited.”

Located just 12 minutes south of the Field Museum, the Obama Presidential Center offers a wide variety of options for Chicago’s southside include youth programs, global leadership, and other community-building and development tools.

This is a big offseason for Ayo Dosunmu and the future of his NBA career

While Dosunmu is enjoying his summer and watches as Chicago continues to develop with the Obama Presidential Center, he still has a big decision coming.

The Bulls traded Dosunmu to the Timberwolves in the final year of his three-year contract. He is not with a team right now, as he is an unrestricted free agent.

At this point, with what Dosunmu just did in the NBA Playoffs, the world is his oyster. I believe Dosunmu can command a massive deal in free agency, and my guess is that he isn’t coming back to Chicago, and he likely won’t stay with Minnesota.

It is going to be interesting to see where Dosunmu ends up playing. As the NBA Draft quickly approaches, my guess is that we will know relatively quickly.

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