2026 Recruiting: Sara Okeke

[oldhusky]

Ope, Skim clocked it.

I agree with most that suggest there are signs she may have lost interest in us, and Skim is usually a reliable source. At the same time, however, that timeline that Skim said was possible has passed, Uconn does not tend to be very public about visits in advance, and unless I have missed something, I don't recall us being officially eliminated either.

I have gone from optimistic to pretty pessimistic, but retain a slight hope that Sarah might appear on campus this weekend for our opening round game.

 

[visitingcock]

I agree with most that suggest there are signs she may have lost interest in us, and Skim is usually a reliable source. At the same time, however, that timeline that Skim said was possible has passed, Uconn does not tend to be very public about visits in advance, and unless I have missed something, I don't recall us being officially eliminated either.

I have gone from optimistic to pretty pessimistic, but retain a slight hope that Sarah might appear on campus this weekend for our opening round game.

Asking because I don’t know.

Can a school host a prospect for a visit during the tournament or is it a dead period?

 

[BobbyJ]

Asking because I don’t know.

Can a school host a prospect for a visit during the tournament or is it a dead period?

Yes, OVs are allowed. The only dead period in the near future is April 3-7.

 

[IndyMark]

Yes, OVs are allowed. The only dead period in the near future is April 3-7.

Eve Long is on an official visit to UCONN this weekend.

 

[UConnCat]

Skim says Okeke will commit to USC Trojans.

 

[IndyMark]

Skim says Okeke will commit to USC Trojans.

USC is getting a fantastic talent.
I wonder if Geno looks to sign two Wing/power forwards for the ‘27 class, Lauren Hassell and Eve long or does he find a power forward through the portal.

 

[CL82]

Coaches. To me, Sara (a third player with that name

All part of Geno's secret plan to field an "all Sarah" starting team in the 2027, 2028 season.
(This plan, apparently involves Olivia legally changing her name to Sara.)

 

[BBallFan86]

Yes, OVs are allowed. The only dead period in the near future is April 3-7.

Correct. You just can't have in-person contact on game days or give tickets for NCAAT games.

 

[BBallFan86]

I agree with most that suggest there are signs she may have lost interest in us, and Skim is usually a reliable source. At the same time, however, that timeline that Skim said was possible has passed, Uconn does not tend to be very public about visits in advance, and unless I have missed something, I don't recall us being officially eliminated either.

I have gone from optimistic to pretty pessimistic, but retain a slight hope that Sarah might appear on campus this weekend for our opening round game.

Didn't Skim say "shortly" within a week? I mean with HS team saying April and Skim saying "wrap up quickly, maybe within the next week" on March 1...I think the timeline of two weeks fits into quickly wrapping up.

She might have made the decision a week ago and Skim just posted last night since her announcement is today, I think?

 

[Bone Dog]

All part of Geno's secret plan to field an "all Sarah" starting team in the 2027, 2028 season.
(This plan, apparently involves Olivia legally changing her name to Sara.)

Ahh. This explains the last second effort to recruit Sara Popovic. Geno will go all over the world to find more Saras. And don’t forget Blanca ‘Sarah’ Quinonez.

 

[CL82]

Ahh. This explains the last second effort to recruit Sara Popovic. Geno will go all over the world to find more Saras. And don’t forget Blanca ‘Sarah’ Quinonez.

 

[oldude]

Ahh. This explains the last second effort to recruit Sara Popovic. Geno will go all over the world to find more Saras. And don’t forget Blanca ‘Sarah’ Quinonez.

Just think of the confusion in the opposing team’s huddle when the coach asks her team, “Who’s got Sarah?” and 5 players all raise their hands at the same time….,. 😎

 

[Bone Dog]

Just think of the confusion in the opposing team’s huddle when the coach asks her team, “Who’s got Sarah?” and 5 players all raise their hands….,. 😎

It’s a brilliant strategy. I don’t know why Geno didn’t think of it sooner.

 

[BobbyJ]

Correct. You just can't have in-person contact on game days or give tickets for NCAAT games.

According to the rules, in this particular case, the staff can have in person contact with a recruit on game day during an OV because the visit and tournament game is on their campus. And they can provide comp tickets for a tournament game they are participating in whether it's at their campus or a neutral site. However, at a neutral site they can't have in person contact because it's during an evaluation period.

 

[BBallFan86]

According to the rules, in this particular case, the staff can have in person contact with a recruit on game day during an OV because the visit and tournament game is on their campus. And they can provide comp tickets for a tournament game they are participating in whether it's at their campus or a neutral site. However, at a neutral site they can't have in person contact because it's during an evaluation period.

Did that recently change?

 

[oldhusky]

USC is getting a fantastic talent.
I wonder if Geno looks to sign two Wing/power forwards for the ‘27 class, Lauren Hassell and Eve long or does he find a power forward through the portal.

It is an interesting question. I tend to think Hassell and Long are an either or scenario but not both, mostly because their natural position appears to be the 4 and Sarah will have two more years. I could see one of those plus a one year rental from the portal, for example an addition at the 4 for just one year before the 2027 recruit arrives.

Another rationale for adding two 4's would be playing Sarah a great deal at the 3, and maybe even Blanca more at the 2. The opposite of our current small ball preference, but that probably requires several things before happening, both the Big O and Jana doing very well and consuming pretty much all of the minutes at the 5, and at least one of the newcomers at the 4 being a Uconn starter level performer that takes up most of the minutes at the 4.

For now I would be happy with one of the two, and would take a look in the portal, but it might be hard to find the ideal candidate, which IMO might be a one year backup to Sarah at the 4, that is good enough to be better than Ayanna, and good enough to be in the rotation, but probably for not that many minutes.

 

[skidroe]

sorry to be so naive, but what are we even talking about here. If the "Big O" is olivia vukosa, the 2026 national gatorade player of the year finalist has already committed to UConn, right?

 

[BobbyJ]

Did that recently change?

No. And because UConn hosts a lot of early tournament games, it’s an opportune time like First Night in October to have kids visit.

 

[IndyMark]

It is an interesting question. I tend to think Hassell and Long are an either or scenario but not both, mostly because their natural position appears to be the 4 and Sarah will have two more years. I could see one of those plus a one year rental from the portal, for example an addition at the 4 for just one year before the 2027 recruit arrives.

Another rationale for adding two 4's would be playing Sarah a great deal at the 3, and maybe even Blanca more at the 2. The opposite of our current small ball preference, but that probably requires several things before happening, both the Big O and Jana doing very well and consuming pretty much all of the minutes at the 5, and at least one of the newcomers at the 4 being a Uconn starter level performer that takes up most of the minutes at the 4.

For now I would be happy with one of the two, and would take a look in the portal, but it might be hard to find the ideal candidate, which IMO might be a one year backup to Sarah at the 4, that is good enough to be better than Ayanna, and good enough to be in the rotation, but probably for not that many minutes.

Very good points all the way around. Hassell has a good outside shot. Long is a little quicker so both bring a couple of different options based on what Geno is wanting his power forward to accomplish.
I have no idea if this is true or not, but I read that Hassell is a silent commit to UConn. The same person said that 6’ 5” Sydney Douglas, from the 2028 class may be a silent commit to UConn as well. Who knows if either are correct, just passing along what I read from a post on UCONN recruiting from a YouTube channel.
Olivia is the real deal, so glad that she is a Husky. The Big O will have one or two years to play along side Strong. The 4 position is what we are looking for long term. We have Eve Long coming in this weekend for an official visit. Perfect weekend for her to experience a game day atmosphere.
Shooting Guard/Wing Haylen Ayers has been to UCONN two times and Geno was at her game as well this season. There is a lot to be excited about with the 2026 & 2027 classes.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Shooting Guard/Wing Haylen Ayers has been to UCONN two times and Geno was at her game as well this season.

Thanks. I guess I didn't realize this.