2026 Recruiting: Sara Okeke | Page 3 | The Boneyard

2026 Recruiting: Sara Okeke

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Sluconn Husky said:
11/25

Okeke: 15 points, 10 rebs

She's #4 in black


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Video of two teams in ESPN's top 25, DME Academy (FL) #4 vs Legion Prep (TX) #11. There are five senior players ranked in ESPN's 2026 class. For Legion Prep: 2. Jacy Abii (#9) 3. Rieyan Desouse (#44) and 35. Kamora Pruit (#38). For DME Academy: 24. Gigi Battle (#24) 3. Chikae Desdunes (#51) and in the next update--> 4. Sara Okeke.
 
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For a variety of reasons, I think the odds of getting Okeke are moving up, mostly because of the situation at South Carolina. Rightly or wrongly some seemed to believe this was a recruiting battle between us and SC, although obviously there were other teams too, LSU and Tennessee come to mind.

SC has Watkins coming back next year, and Kitts could if she wanted to. I have also heard somewhere that SC might try to appeal for another year of eligibility for Okot, based on her situation coming from abroad with only two years of eligibility at a major US school, not sure if i understand the basis for that.

Regardless they have added a 2026 big in Andrews, and supposedly Skim Milkey has added a couple of GIF's with a Gamecock, suggesting Dawn might have two little birdies to comment on soon. The speculation centers on Jerzy and Tournabize, the 6-4 girl from France, with some saying she could enroll and be eligible for the second semester of this season.

If Tournabize is going there, along with all the other bigs they have, I would think Okeke would be off the radar, and our chances of getting her much better. Even if neither of Kitts or Okot return, adding Watkins, Andews and Tournabiz would seem to kill the need for another big.

I know the debate on which player is better is an interesting one, but if we get one of the two (Okeke) I would be happy even if the other went to a major rival.
 
oldhusky said:
For a variety of reasons, I think the odds of getting Okeke are moving up, mostly because of the situation at South Carolina. Rightly or wrongly some seemed to believe this was a recruiting battle between us and SC, although obviously there were other teams too, LSU and Tennessee come to mind.

SC has Watkins coming back next year, and Kitts could if she wanted to. I have also heard somewhere that SC might try to appeal for another year of eligibility for Okot, based on her situation coming from abroad with only two years of eligibility at a major US school, not sure if i understand the basis for that.

Regardless they have added a 2026 big in Andrews, and supposedly Skim Milkey has added a couple of GIF's with a Gamecock, suggesting Dawn might have two little birdies to comment on soon. The speculation centers on Jerzy and Tournabize, the 6-4 girl from France, with some saying she could enroll and be eligible for the second semester of this season.

If Tournabize is going there, along with all the other bigs they have, I would think Okeke would be off the radar, and our chances of getting her much better. Even if neither of Kitts or Okot return, adding Watkins, Andews and Tournabiz would seem to kill the need for another big.

I know the debate on which player is better is an interesting one, but if we get one of the two (Okeke) I would be happy even if the other went to a major rival.
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Having Okeke, Vukosa, & Blanca for 3 years, and Strong, Blanca, Vukosa, & Okeke for two years would be simply amazing!!!

Go Huskies!!!
 
oldhusky said:
For a variety of reasons, I think the odds of getting Okeke are moving up, mostly because of the situation at South Carolina. Rightly or wrongly some seemed to believe this was a recruiting battle between us and SC, although obviously there were other teams too, LSU and Tennessee come to mind.

SC has Watkins coming back next year, and Kitts could if she wanted to. I have also heard somewhere that SC might try to appeal for another year of eligibility for Okot, based on her situation coming from abroad with only two years of eligibility at a major US school, not sure if i understand the basis for that.

Regardless they have added a 2026 big in Andrews, and supposedly Skim Milkey has added a couple of GIF's with a Gamecock, suggesting Dawn might have two little birdies to comment on soon. The speculation centers on Jerzy and Tournabize, the 6-4 girl from France, with some saying she could enroll and be eligible for the second semester of this season.

If Tournabize is going there, along with all the other bigs they have, I would think Okeke would be off the radar, and our chances of getting her much better. Even if neither of Kitts or Okot return, adding Watkins, Andews and Tournabiz would seem to kill the need for another big.

I know the debate on which player is better is an interesting one, but if we get one of the two (Okeke) I would be happy even if the other went to a major rival.
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Dawn just signed Tournabize and she is in Columbia readying for plays next semester. I think that signals that we are probably out of the race for Okeke.
 
Tournebize picked South Carolina, is coming after Christmas and could enroll and play in the second semester. As in my prior post #67 I think this gives us a much better chance at Okeke. South Carolina was at a minimum significant competition for her, and maybe the most competition. It was probably an either or situation for SC, not both, particularly with Andrews already signed as another big 2026 recruit.
 
oldhusky said:
Tournebize picked South Carolina, is coming after Christmas and could enroll and play in the second semester. As in my prior post #67 I think this gives us a much better chance at Okeke. South Carolina was at a minimum significant competition for her, and maybe the most competition. It was probably an either or situation for SC, not both, particularly with Andrews already signed as another big 2026 recruit.
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This player might be an instant impact player that may change who could be favored in March. I'm not saying she could put them favored over UConn she looks really good.
 
asuwish said:
This player might be an instant impact player that may change who could be favored in March. I'm not saying she could put them favored over UConn she looks really good.
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What does Tournebize add to the team that they don't already have in Okot? I don't see how her addition changes anything this season for South Carolina with regards to UConn, Texas, LSU, UCLA etc.
 
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Stronga12 said:
What does Tournebize add to the team that they don't already have in Okot? I don't see how her addition changes anything this season for South Carolina with regards to UConn, Texas, LSU, UCLA etc.
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Adding a skilled and athletic 6'4" forward could make a major difference depending on how quickly she becomes accustomed to the college game....
 
Charliebball said:
Adding a skilled and athletic 6'4" forward could make a major difference depending on how quickly she becomes accustomed to the college game....
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You didn't really answer the question? What dimension is she adding to the team that they don't already have in Okot and Edwards? South Carolina's lost to Texas and almost to Louisville because the backcourt is underwhelming. The frontcourt has been more than fine.
 
Stronga12 said:
You didn't really answer the question? What dimension is she adding to the team that they don't already have in Okot and Edwards? South Carolina's lost to Texas and almost to Louisville because the backcourt is underwhelming. The frontcourt has been more than fine.
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Apparently, Dawn feels she may be of some value, otherwise, she wouldn't be bringing her over to play in January......only time will tell what kind of impact she will make, but having a player coming off the bench to spell Okot and Edwards should be beneficial.....
 
Charliebball said:
Apparently, Dawn feels she may be of some value, otherwise, she wouldn't be bringing her over to play in January......only time will tell what kind of impact she will make, but having a player coming off the bench to spell Okot and Edwards should be beneficial.....
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I saw a "rumor" that ALicia Tournebize may be taller than 6'4" ????
Time will tell. If not this year, South Carolina will be well prepared
at the POST for 2026-2027. I would like to believe that Alicia
going to S.C. does improve UCONN's chances with Sara Okeke.
I like Okeke... but is she in Geno's "mix" for next year? IN GENO
WE TRUST.
 
Stronga12 said:
What does Tournebize add to the team that they don't already have in Okot? I don't see how her addition changes anything this season for South Carolina with regards to UConn, Texas, LSU, UCLA etc.
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This probably doesn't affect Okot or Edwards at all, but that isn't the issue, the backups and thin depth is. The SC fans are pretty unhappy with Dauda and Tac, and that is it for bigs with Kitts and Watkins out. There would be a major drop off if either starter was out, and SC would probably be forced to go with a three big rotation which is hard to manage the minutes for, or they would have to go small ball for part of the game.

Tournebize at worst is injury insurance, at the most realistic best she leaps over Dauda and Tak in a three big rotation upgrading what their fans consider a team weakness. Coming midseason and possibly playing next semester appears to be a recognition by Dawn that they have a problem there.

Quite a few here preferred Tournebize to Okeke for us. I'm not sure which I would prefer, but I would have been happy with either one, even if the other went to a major competitor.
 
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asuwish said:
Maybe it's me but watching her highlights and that of French player Tournabize I'd take the French kid. Her length and ability to shoot the 3 make incredibly versatile (a Stewie feel). Okeke has very limited range or ball handling skill. Watch the tapes. What skill set would you rather have?
According to Shane Laflin UConn is heavily in on 6-3 Spanish center Sara Okeke. Okeke qualifies for the 2027 WNBA draft so she could skip college altogether.
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[/QUOTE] A response to the comment (above) with Okeke being viewed as "limited" and a preference for Tournebize's skill set.
SARA OKEKE 6'3" (193 cm) per FIBA stats and Alicia Tournebize 6' 4" (194 cm)
were both on the ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM in this SUMMER'S FIBA
U18 WOMEN'S EuroBasket Tournament. Sara Okeke was the tournament's
MVP. So, it might be all in how someone is viewing the "skill set" comment
above. My guess is that the voters chose SARA OKEKE due to the
Spanish team winning the tournament. Tournebize is headed to South
Carolina. I guess Geno, if he is interested in a "center/post", might
just have to "settle" for the shorter (by 1cm) player and who (quoting from
thread #25, above) "has very limited range or ball handling skills". The photo
on the FIBA site has a picture of the ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM. Clearly
Tournebize is the taller player, and contrary to the "rumor" that I read
recently, Alicia is not 6'7" (unless she's grown that much since this past
summer).
THE STATS FROM THE SEMI-FINAL game of Spain (Sara) vs
France (ALICIA) are:
Okeke: 28 minutes, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 6 for 11 (54+%), Efficiency 10
Tournebize 20 min, 7 points, 8 rebounds, 3 for 9 (33%), Efficiency 11
See the FIBA webpage for the tournament for more complete stats.
Spain beat France 71 to 65 and went on to win the tournament.
 
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One potential interesting scenario is The Big O, Sarah Okeke, and Sarah Strong in the same lineup, at least some of the time. If that happened, I think it might make sense for Okeke to be the 5 on offense, and the 4 on defense and visa versa for The Big O. Vukosa has more perimeter skills offensively, and Okeke is more mobile to guard 4's on the other side.
 
oldhusky said:
One potential interesting scenario is The Big O, Sarah Okeke, and Sarah Strong in the same lineup, at least some of the time. If that happened, I think it might make sense for Okeke to be the 5 on offense, and the 4 on defense and visa versa for The Big O. Vukosa has more perimeter skills offensively, and Okeke is more mobile to guard 4's on the other side.
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Keep in mind we still have Blanca, KK, Ash, K9, and Popovic (plus the rest of the roster not graduating or going to the W). Geno has nearly always said, "you can't have too many guards!"

I believe Okeke give UConn a full and multi-talented roster ("kennel") for 2026-27 to rival this season's edition.

Win! Win!! Win!!! ...repeat!!!!

Go Huskies!!!
 
A response to the comment (above) with Okeke being viewed as "limited" and a preference for Tournebize's skill set.
SARA OKEKE 6'3" (193 cm) per FIBA stats and Alicia Tournebize 6' 4" (194 cm)
were both on the ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM in this SUMMER'S FIBA
U18 WOMEN'S EuroBasket Tournament. Sara Okeke was the tournament's
MVP. So, it might be all in how someone is viewing the "skill set" comment
above. My guess is that the voters chose SARA OKEKE due to the
Spanish team winning the tournament. Tournebize is headed to South
Carolina. I guess Geno, if he is interested in a "center/post", might
just have to "settle" for the shorter (by 1cm) player and who (quoting from
thread #25, above) "has very limited range or ball handling skills". The photo
on the FIBA site has a picture of the ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM. Clearly
Tournebize is the taller player, and contrary to the "rumor" that I read
recently, Alicia is not 6'7" (unless she's grown that much since this past
summer).
THE STATS FROM THE SEMI-FINAL game of Spain (Sara) vs
France (ALICIA) are:
Okeke: 28 minutes, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 6 for 11 (54+%), 10
Tournebize 20 min, 7 points, 8 rebounds, 3 for 9 (33%), 11
See the FIBA webpage for the tournament for more complete stats.
Spain beat France 71 to 65 and went on to win the tournament.
[/QUOTE]. <== Zarathustra's contribution!

Math time: [2.54 cm = 1.000 inch (exactly, by definition)]: 193 cm = 75.984 in (6' 3.984"); 194 cm = 76.378 in (6' 4.378") ==> pretty much a wash at 6' 4" depending on shoes.

Personally, I would go with light-weight high tops for "bigger hops" and better ankle support...

I'm good with Geno getting Okeke, as I did not know that Tournebize was available, and the "head-to-head" match-up favored Okeke.

It's not the individual, but how the TEAM works together. TEAM work makes the DREAM work!!!

Go Huskies!!!
 
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The CDR-Ret said:
Keep in mind we still have Blanca, KK, Ash, K9, and Popovic (plus the rest of the roster not graduating or going to the W). Geno has nearly always said, "you can't have too many guards!"

I believe Okeke give UConn a full and multi-talented roster ("kennel") for 2026-27 to rival this season's edition.

Win! Win!! Win!!! ...repeat!!!!

Go Huskies!!!
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Allie
 
Tournebize is listed at 6'7 with multiple confirmations of that now. Not sure where that growth spurt came from but very timely for 2025. She's a third player to rotate in frontcourt as a reserve. If she's better than that swell.

It may indeed close the book on Okeke for SC though I'll say that Okeke is exactly the player that South Carolina has had lots of success with and Geno hasn't had a lot of time for lately.
 
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Gamecockfan77 said:
Tournebize is listed at 6'7 with multiple confirmations of that now. Not sure where that growth spurt came from but very timely for 2025. She's a third player to rotate in frontcourt as a reserve. If she's better than that swell.

It may indeed close the book on Okeke for SC though I'll say that Okeke is exactly the player that South Carolina has had lots of success with and Geno hasn't had a lot of time for lately.
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18 year old young women don't grow 3 inches in 5 months.
www.fiba.basketball

Alicia Tournebize - France - Player Profile - FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2025 | FIBA Basketball

All detailed statistics, points, assists and rebounds of Tournebize - France from FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2025
www.fiba.basketball www.fiba.basketball

And what type of player is Okeke that Auriemma hasn't had time for recruiting lately? 6-4 post players? Or a European talent?
 
Gamecockfan77 said:
Tournebize is listed at 6'7 with multiple confirmations of that now. Not sure where that growth spurt came from but very timely for 2025. She's a third player to rotate in frontcourt as a reserve. If she's better than that swell.

It may indeed close the book on Okeke for SC though I'll say that Okeke is exactly the player that South Carolina has had lots of success with and Geno hasn't had a lot of time for lately.
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It appears that only SC thinks she is 6'7". Maybe folks can't do the conversion math from metric? The rest of the world puts her a smidge above 6' 4".
 
BobbyJ said:
18 year old young women don't grow 3 inches in 5 months.
www.fiba.basketball

Alicia Tournebize - France - Player Profile - FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2025 | FIBA Basketball

All detailed statistics, points, assists and rebounds of Tournebize - France from FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2025
www.fiba.basketball www.fiba.basketball

And what type of player is Okeke that Auriemma hasn't had time for recruiting lately? 6-4 post players? Or a European talent?
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It seems odd, and I don't know what to tell you, but Dawn and Skim Milkey both tweeted she's 6'7, she's now listed on SCar roster at 6'7. I didn't really give it much credence but a media member said she was as tall as Okot on her visit.

Geno tends to want posts that spread the floor. Okeke very much seems to be a back to the basket athlete.
 
DEpup said:
It appears that only SC thinks she is 6'7". Maybe folks can't do the conversion math from metric? The rest of the world puts her a smidge above 6' 4".
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Alicia was measured for the FIBA u/18 team a few years ago. The Bourges pro team she has played for this year doesn’t list her height even though the list the height of everybody else. Why not? Growth spurt. I personally grew three inches in one year. She could reasonably do so in two.

We’ll soon get plenty of tv shots of her beside 6-6 Okot.
 
visitingcock said:
Alicia was measured for the FIBA u/18 team a few years ago. The Bourges pro team she has played for this year doesn’t list her height even though the list the height of everybody else. Why not? Growth spurt. I personally grew three inches in one year. She could reasonably do so in two.

We’ll soon get plenty of tv shots of her beside 6-6 Okot.
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Yesterday I googled the FIBA U18 WOMEN's EuroBasket 2025 webpage.
For those interested in HEIGHT COMPARISON, this site has a picture of
the Women's EuroBasket 2025 " ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM". Tournebize is
the tall player on the left (out of uniform, France was knocked out of
the tournament in the SEMI-FINAL by Spain); SARA OKEKE is the tall
player on the far right, in her TEAM SPAIN uniform. I assume Sara is holding her
MVP trophy from the tournament? COMPARE THE HEIGHTS. We will
have to see confirmation of the "growth spurt" in the future?? Happy Holidays.
Perhaps a quicker link to this photo is to google: "Okeke scoops MVP
Honor on home soil to lead ALL STAR FIVE". It is part of the same www.FIBA
Basketball website and is dated July 13,2025. The Top Photo is Sara Okeke
with her MVP trophy. If you scroll down there is the photo of the five
players on the ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM (Tournebize on the left in the
photo, Sara on the RIGHT). The whole article contains more tournament
information about each player with a nice summary of Alicia T. and Sara O.'s
accomplishments. Accomplished Players, BOTH! Season's Greetings. Z
 
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