Idowu was a force on both ends for two-time champs

Wiesbaden center Joel Idowu goes up for a shot between Stuttgart defenders Maz Andrysiak, left, and Kurt Flores during the Division I title game at the 2026 DODEA European basketball championships on Feb. 14, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Joel Idowu bounces to the beat of his own drum.

The Wiesbaden junior grew up playing the piano and drums, the latter of which he has become good enough to perform with at church services. It taught him a lot about rhythm.

“I usually try to play by hearing, so it’s really just a flow with the drums,” Idowu said.

Idowu also has found the perfect rhythm on the basketball court.

The 6-foot, 6-inch center led a Warrior squad that went 16-1 and defended its DODEA-Europe Division I crown Feb. 11-14 in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Idowu averaged a double-double with 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. He shot 62.7% from the field and boasted a plus/minus of positive-343 over 416 minutes of action.

Because of his performance throughout the season, the Division I tournament MVP earned DODEA first-team All-Europe honors. He also was named Stars and Stripes’ 2025-2026 Europe boys basketball Athlete of the Year.

A two-time All-European player as an underclassman, Idowu was a part of a trio that led the Wiesbaden boys basketball program to its first title in a quarter of a century in 2024-2025. But with the departures of Jordan Thibodeaux and Idowu’s older brother Jacob, Joel Idowu has a larger role.

“I just knew the offensive side, I was going to have to step up and start hitting some shots,” Idowu said. “On the defensive side, just maintain that same level of defense I’ve been playing.”

The problem: Every other team recognized him as the main threat.

Face-guarding and double teams followed the Staten Island, N.Y., native while on offense. Defensively, opponents tried to pull Idowu out of the paint, using pick and rolls and Horns offense with two players in the high post.

Idowu realized he could be a decoy to create opportunities for his teammates, such as senior transfer Elijah Kidd, sophomore forward Carter Edwards, junior guard Tahj Reche and freshman Alex Crockett.

“I just try to help my team in the little things,” Idowu said of these situations. “Also told my teammates, ‘They’re on me, they’re worried about me. Y’all can go get some big-time shots. You can get some shots and make some offensive plays.’”

Despite all the attention, the son of Oyedeji and Titilope Idowu still managed some splash plays throughout the season.

Idowu got in a few two-handed dunks that pumped up his teammates and the fans.

Yet even more important to Idowu was lifting up his teammates on defense. He swatted 40 opponent shots on the season, and those blocks provided as much of a jolt as the dunks.

“I could already feel the energy of my team,” Idowu said. “All of us being locked in on defense and then you get a big-time stop, it really carries the momentum for the next possessions.”

Idowu still has one year remaining in his high school career, and he’s looking to improve his game.

He’s already received some interest from Division III schools and prep academies, but Idowu said he hopes to increase his stock.

“That’s just my goal right now, to get to play at the next level and continue my career in basketball,” Idowu said.

“My biggest thing I’m trying to work on is my shot. I think that’d really expand my game.”