Indiana South Bend’s Kyle Olagbegi isn’t one to give up.
Growing up in Frankfort, Olagbegi got cut in fifth grade from the sixth-grade basketball team at Hilda Walker Intermediate School. But he didn’t give up on the sport.
“After I didn’t make the team, I tried out for the (Lincoln-Way) Xplosion AAU team,” he said. “I was disappointed I didn’t make the school team, but playing AAU ball wasn’t too bad.”
The Lincoln-Way East graduate picked up scant playing time for Indiana South Bend in his first two college seasons, but once again, Olagbegi didn’t give up on the team by transferring.
“Everyone has thoughts, but that’s not the outcome for me,” he said. “I just had to stick it out and earn my starting spot here.”
The 6-foot-6 junior forward is now a starter for the Titans, who came Wednesday night to Chicago and dropped a 79-69 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference decision to host St. Xavier.
Indiana South Bend’s Kyle Olagbegi (22) looks to pass as St. Xavier’s Grant Marton (1) defends during a CCAC game in Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Olagbegi finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot for Indiana South Bend (13-6, 8-3), which entered with an 11-1 record in the last 12 games.
Ashton Atwater led St. Xavier (7-11, 5-6) with 18 points, while former Oak Lawn and Moraine Valley standout Davion Lawrence added 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Cougars grabbed a 25-5 lead in the first 10 minutes and kept a safe distance throughout.
Indiana South Bend coach Scott Cooper, meanwhile, is happy Olagbegi stuck it out with the Titans and how he’s prospering this season.
Indiana South Bend’s Kyle Olagbegi (22) boxes out St. Xavier’s Jerry Abushanab (2) during a CCAC game in Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“When he came in, we had a guy who was a two-time All-American playing in front of him and we had a guy who is now playing Division I playing ahead of him,” Cooper said of Olagbegi. “We had another experienced big playing a lot at that time.
“But he was competing with those guys every single day, and he’s handled his business and waited his turn.”
With the rapid rise in transfers for college sports, Olagbegi staying on board is refreshing.
“It’s been fun to see his growth,” Cooper said of Olagbegi. “At the middle of last year, he started coming along and showed what he was capable of and got better every single day.
Indiana South Bend’s Kyle Olagbegi (22) tries to find an open teammate against St. Xavier during a CCAC game in Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“It’s kind of rare anymore for guys to stay because when they don’t start seeing time, they look for greener pastures. But he’s done a great job being patient, waiting his time and seeing the bigger picture.”
Olagbegi entered the game against St. Xavier leading the Titans in scoring, averaging 12.7 points. He was second in rebounds, averaging 5.0. He was also first in steals with 22 and second in blocked shots with eight.
His breakout game came Jan. 3 when he scored 21 points and added six rebounds and three assists in an 81-69 overtime win over Calumet of St. Joseph.
Olagbegi did pick up some recognition during his sophomore season, however, by earning academic all-conference honors. He acknowledged that his high school grades weren’t the best.
“I knew that in college I would have to keep up with my grades,” said Olagbegi, a finance major. “I’m pretty good at that actually.”
Indiana South Bend’s Kyle Olagbegi (22) extends for a rebound over St. Xavier’s Jerry Abushanab (2) during a CCAC game in Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
His coach was happy to confirm that as being true.
“He’s killing it in the classroom,” Cooper said.
Olagbegi still wants to play basketball after college. He keeps working on getting better and stronger. In the offseason after his sophomore year, he went home and worked with Sam Franklin, a Romeoville-based trainer.
“He helps me with my game and helps me attack the rim,” Olagbegi said of Franklin. “He helps me with rebounding and to be a playmaker in the post. And he helped my shot tremendously.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
