Olivia Vukosa, the No. 3 recruit within the ladies’ SC Subsequent 100 Class of 2026, has dedicated to UConn, she introduced on Tuesday.
Vukosa is the primary 2026 commit for the reigning nationwide champions. She selected the Huskies over LSU, Ohio State, Texas and South Carolina.
The Whitestone, New York, native is a present senior at Christ the King in Queens, which has despatched quite a lot of gamers to Storrs, together with Corridor of Famer Sue Fowl and Tina Charles. She cites that pipeline as a key think about selecting Geno Auriemma’s program.
“I’ve seen coach Mackey and Deluca put together ladies for school and seen coach Geno put together these ladies for the following degree,” Vukosa advised ESPN. “And plenty of of those ladies have adopted the trail of Christ the King and UConn and now I need to comply with that legacy.
“One other large issue was UConn’s location; it permits my household to return help me simply, irrespective of the sport or time. In the end, what sealed my resolution was how I felt across the group. Throughout my go to, the gamers welcomed me like I used to be already a part of the household, and that sense of belonging made UConn really really feel like dwelling.”
The 6-foot-4 submit will convey years of worldwide taking part in expertise with Croatia in FIBA competitions to UConn: She was a part of the 2023 U16 Girls’s European Championship, 2024 Girls’s World Cup and most not too long ago the 2025 U20 EuroBasket B Division, by which she averaged 15.6 factors and 9.1 rebounds per sport.
Vukosa’s sport brings to thoughts Stefanie Dolson, a two-time nationwide champion with UConn and 11-year WNBA veteran. Each are gifted passers and assured ball-handlers. Vukosa has confirmed herself efficient from past the arc, however nonetheless maintains the flexibility to submit exhausting and punish opponents on the block. Her rebounding efforts up to now calendar yr have improved tremendously, as she discovered the worth of attacking the offensive glass. Defensively, her mobility will enable her to play in a number of schemes and techniques whereas sustaining the bodily presence demanded of submit gamers.
At present at No. 3 within the rankings, she might problem Saniyah Corridor for the No. 1 spot by the tip of the highschool season. Her dedication now takes the highest 4 recruits within the 2026 class off the board.
The Huskies stay within the combine for No. 5 Jerzy Robinson and No. 10 Addison Bjorn. The AP preseason Prime 25 No. 1 group, they open their title protection in opposition to No. 4 Louisville on Nov. 4.