2026 Recruiting: Sara Okeke | Page 2 | The Boneyard

2026 Recruiting: Sara Okeke

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oldhusky said:
With Sarah of course at the 3!
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Yes. I would agree that ultimately you want to get Sarah comfortable in that 3 spot to prepare her for the professional leagues.
 
Sluconn Husky said:
All Star Girls Report just put Okeke at #3 in their updated '26 rankings.


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For reference, their previous top 10.
 

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Sluconn Husky said:
Okeke #22 in white:


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As Dicky V. would say, 'Are you serious'? I realize there's no competition in this game but the toolbox is full. Two things that jumped out to me are that she runs the floor in transition both ways and beats smalls down the court. And her post fundamentals, catch-turn either way-use both hands understanding, and footwork are college level already. Having her available with Vukosa along with Strong and BQ for 2-3 years wouldn't be fair.
 
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BobbyJ said:
As Dicky V. would say, 'Are you serious'? I realize there's no competition in this game but the toolbox is full. Two things that jumped out to me are that she runs the floor in transition both ways and beats smalls down the court. And her post fundamentals, catch-turn either way-use both hands understanding, and footwork are college level already. Having her available with Vukosa along with Strong and BQ for 2-3 years wouldn't be fair.
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It would be bad for basketball and isn't that our business?
 
Sluconn Husky said:
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While I dont disagree, I'll note that roster slots have a way of opening up.

Had Muhl & Edwards chosen to take their extra year of eligibility and DeBerry & Bettencourt didn't transfer, there would have been no room for the late signing of Strong and transfer Chen.

And without Q's transfer, no Serah.

The notion of "available scholarships" is somewhat outdated as almost every school has out-transfers. (I feel like Raoul has tracked it, and it ends up being <10 that dont lose players.) And if it's not happening 'naturally' I don't doubt that many/most/all? coaches give a slight nudge to some players.
 
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Vowelguy said:
While I dont disagree, I'll note that roster slots have a way of opening up.

Had Muhl & Edwards chose to take their extra year of eligibility and DeBerry & Bettencourt didn't transfer, there would have been no room for the late signing of Strong and transfer Chen.

And without Q's transfer, no Serah.

The notion of "available scholarships" is somewhat outdated as almost every school has out-transfers. (I feel like Raoul has tracked it, and it ends up being <10 that dont lose players.) And if it's not happening 'naturally' I don't doubt that many/most/all? coaches give a slight nudge to some players.
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You are right regarding all those points, but I think it still makes sense in most cases to recruit not counting on anyone leaving even though it probably will happen. One reason is that a portal option has considerable value too. If on average you try to fill your 15 spots with HS recruits and then wind up in a typical year with 1 or 2 portal options because of departures, that is close to ideal IMO.

A great player for 4 years has more value than a 1 or two year transfer, but the portal option has more value than a HS recruit that may not crack the rotation, and it has been a great tool for fixing a specific hole in the roster that may not have been anticipated when the season begins.

So far we have been fortunate in that the players we have lost were not significant parts of the rotation anyway, unlike many teams including many contenders. If the target was someone like Sarah, then I might over-recruit anticipating an opening happening, but if it was a prospect in say the 15-30 range of the rankings, I think I would value a portal option more. Players in that range probably don't have more than a 50% chance of cracking the rotation.

Even the next year's recruiting class has to be considered as part of the trade off. An extra recruit this year, vs. a portal addition at the end of the season, vs. one more potential 2027 recruit etc.
 
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oldhusky said:
You are right regarding all those points, but I think it still makes sense in most cases to recruit not counting on anyone leaving even though it probably will happen. One reason is that a portal option has considerable value too. If on average you try to fill your 15 spots with HS recruits and then wind up in a typical year with 1 or 2 portal options because of departures, that is close to ideal IMO.

A great player for 4 years has more value than a 1 or two year transfer, but the portal option has more value than a HS recruit that may not crack the rotation, and it has been a great tool for fixing a specific hole in the roster that may not have been anticipated when the season begins.

So far we have been fortunate in that the players we have lost were not significant parts of the rotation anyway, unlike many teams including many contenders. If the target was someone like Sarah, then I might over-recruit anticipating an opening happening, but if it was a prospect in say the 15-30 range of the rankings, I think I would value a portal option more. Players in that range probably don't have more than a 50% chance of cracking the rotation.

Even the next year's recruiting class has to be considered as part of the trade off. An extra recruit this year, vs. a portal addition at the end of the season, vs. one more potential 2027 recruit etc.
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I believe the best blend is whatever it takes for Geno and CD to be intrigued for another four years, EVERY year. THAT my friends is what will keep UConn WBB "Bad for Basketball" well into the future.

With the signing of Jovana Popovic to the 2026 UConn Freshman class, I'm thinking hold the last "piece of the puzzle" (last scholarship open for either Sara Okeke or the portal). With Jose now the Coach of Dallas, there is less competition for the European talent, and the UConn alumni may have the red carpet to the Wings as well (if a CBA can be had soon). Jose knows who gave his USF teams fits over the last decade and a half, and he has Geno in his favorites on his smart phone (both get "smarter" when they talk). 😎 🔥 🔥 😍

Go Huskies!!!
 
oldhusky said:
You are right regarding all those points, but I think it still makes sense in most cases to recruit not counting on anyone leaving even though it probably will happen. One reason is that a portal option has considerable value too. If on average you try to fill your 15 spots with HS recruits and then wind up in a typical year with 1 or 2 portal options because of departures, that is close to ideal IMO.

A great player for 4 years has more value than a 1 or two year transfer, but the portal option has more value than a HS recruit that may not crack the rotation, and it has been a great tool for fixing a specific hole in the roster that may not have been anticipated when the season begins.

So far we have been fortunate in that the players we have lost were not significant parts of the rotation anyway, unlike many teams including many contenders. If the target was someone like Sarah, then I might over-recruit anticipating an opening happening, but if it was a prospect in say the 15-30 range of the rankings, I think I would value a portal option more. Players in that range probably don't have more than a 50% chance of cracking the rotation.

Even the next year's recruiting class has to be considered as part of the trade off. An extra recruit this year, vs. a portal addition at the end of the season, vs. one more potential 2027 recruit etc.
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I think you’re slightly missing my point. Did Geno ever tell Strong “we need to cool our recruitment because we are not sure if we will have a scholarship for you?”
 
Sara Okeke's first official game with DME Academy (FL) 21 pts - 8 reb. Very short interview at the end of the game. It seems obvious that she doesn't speak English very well yet, or she is very shy. I also added an article that I'm not sure was posted. A Florida ranking places her ahead of Kelsi Andrews, who is ranked 18th by ESPN. She is certainly a great catch for one of the four teams still on the list. It must be said that she is a world-class player, first team all-star at the 2024 U17 World Cup and MVP of the 2025

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

www.si.com

EuroBasket Champion Weighing Commitment to UConn

Sara Okeke dominated the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Championship this summer, capturing MVP honors while powering Spain to a gold medal. The 6-foot-3 center posted 13.
www.si.com www.si.com
 
From Canada said:
Sara Okeke's first official game with DME Academy (FL) 21 pts - 8 reb. Very short interview at the end of the game. It seems obvious that she doesn't speak English very well yet, or she is very shy. I also added an article that I'm not sure was posted. A Florida ranking places her ahead of Kelsi Andrews, who is ranked 18th by ESPN. She is certainly a great catch for one of the four teams still on the list. It must be said that she is a world-class player, first team all-star at the 2024 U17 World Cup and MVP of the 2025

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

www.si.com

EuroBasket Champion Weighing Commitment to UConn

Sara Okeke dominated the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Championship this summer, capturing MVP honors while powering Spain to a gold medal. The 6-foot-3 center posted 13.
www.si.com www.si.com
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Sorry, I didn't see that the video had already been posted.
 
Molisanos said:
Sara Okosa is 3 times better than Olivia Vukosa...
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I just reviewed the entire post on Sara Okeke and I must say that I am really surprised by what I just saw from you. Certainly, Sara Okeke is an excellent basketball player. She finishes very well with both hands near the basket, she is very fast for a player of her size, and she settles very well in the low post with good footwork. But to claim that she is three times better is a stretch. No matter how much I search through the various videos, I don't see her using her outside shot, and even though she was selected for the first All-Star team at last year's U17 World Cup, she didn't live up to her talent in her last two games. She scored only four points against Canada in the semi-finals and only two against France in the bronze medal game.

Spain finished third, while Croatia finished ninth. It should be noted, however, that the draw did not favor them, as they were in the same group as Australia and the USA. Finishing third in the group, Croatia faced France in their first playoff game, losing 63-59. The best they could achieve after that was ninth place.

I have attached the statistics for this competition so that we can compare the two players. Please take a look. Just click on their names for more details if you wish. Olivia Vukosa is solid game after game. Now that Sara Okeke has chosen to finish her high school career in the US, it is quite possible that we will see her in the next ESPN rankings when they are updated. She is currently considered the #1 player in the state of Florida. Personally, I would be very surprised if she were to overtake the Big O.

www.fiba.basketball

Competition Stats - FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 | FIBA Basketball

Discover detailed statistics of FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 - players leaders and games highs, teams leaders and game highs
www.fiba.basketball www.fiba.basketball
 
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From Canada said:
I just reviewed the entire post on Sara Okeke and I must say that I am really surprised by what I just saw from you. Certainly, Sara Okeke is an excellent basketball player. She finishes very well with both hands near the basket, she is very fast for a player of her size, and she settles very well in the low post with good footwork. But to claim that she is three times better is a stretch. No matter how much I search through the various videos, I don't see her using her outside shot, and even though she was selected for the first All-Star team at last year's U17 World Cup, she didn't live up to her talent in her last two games. She scored only four points against Canada in the semi-finals and only two against France in the bronze medal game.

Spain finished third, while Croatia finished ninth. It should be noted, however, that the draw did not favor them, as they were in the same group as Australia and the USA. Finishing third in the group, Croatia faced France in their first playoff game, losing 63-59. The best they could achieve after that was ninth place.

I have attached the statistics for this competition so that we can compare the two players. Please take a look. Just click on their names for more details if you wish. Olivia Vukosa is solid game after game. Now that Sara Okeke has chosen to finish her high school career in the US, it is quite possible that we will see her in the next ESPN rankings when they are updated. She is currently considered the #1 player in the state of Florida. Personally, I would be very surprised if she were to overtake the Big O.

www.fiba.basketball

Competition Stats - FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 | FIBA Basketball

Discover detailed statistics of FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 - players leaders and games highs, teams leaders and game highs
www.fiba.basketball www.fiba.basketball
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I know both players very well and I have to say that mine’s was an exaggeration. For a couple of things I prefer Okosa and that nothing to do with stats or videos. Truth is that both players can coexist together very well... 😊
 
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