Olivia Kristjana Vukosa, UCONN class of 2026 offer, and Croatia U 16 National Team

[Zarathustra]

Half Time Croatia 40 Israel 36
Olivia came back in at the 6 minute mark and made no more fouls.
She had to play cautiously but her presence in the middle really helped
even just by holding her arms up straight. Olivia made a good INSIDE TO
OUT pass for an assist and another nice outlet pass for a transitional score.
BUT.... Croatia with tremendous INABILITY to inbound after baskets and
then.... many turnovers before getting the ball over half court.!!! The Israel
Head Coach, who looks like she could be playing in this game, is working
the refs. ( hoping for more fouls on Croatia and thus getting Olivia out
of the game and putting more fouls on the primary ballhandlers for Croatia.)
Without Olivia the whole Croatia offense and defense changes. They can
win without her, if # 6 and # 9 do well , but without some three pointers
and some outside up shots Croatia could be in trouble. Stay tuned.. Fouls
and turnovers should make the difference.

 

[Zarathustra]

End of three quarters Croatia 63 - Israel 52 Croatia beginning to hit their three pointers
Olivia picks up her fourth foul, but stays in the game. She then made four free throws in
a row to REALLY help. H.C. of Israel still working the refs, very hard. Olivia is strong on the
rebounding now up to seven.

 

[HopJim]

While some were wondering how much the youngest player would play Olivia must be tired after playing entire game. While she made some mistakes and at times looked like she borrowed Dorka or Natalie’s hands she is definitely someone UConn should have.

Once Natalie Butler's broken thumb fully healed, her issues with holding onto the ball decreased. Dorka also had a broken thumb and did not appear to have bad hands once it healed. At George Mason, Natalie led the country in rebounding, double doubles, and set an all-time record for most rebounds in one season. Based on these comparisons, suspect Geno would likely Olivia up today.

 

[Zarathustra]

Final Score 81 Israel 70
Olivia 12 points 9 rebounds two assists, FOUR FOULS, one turnover, two
blocks and an efficiency rating of +16
Croatia did what they needed to do to win. Messy ball handling, too
many fouls and turnovers. Very smart game by Olivia not picking up that
fifth foul... nicely cautious. PRUDENT!!! LENA Bilic # 9, 6 ' 2 for Croatia, a solid
player and so is # 6 Hana Arnautovic 5' 9". Head Coach for Israel a real
competitor! She has a scrapy team with gives a very reasonable effort on full
court press that, almost, brought total grief to Croatia. The Threes started
to fall for Croatia and they made just enough of their free throws to make it a
comfortable margin. We'll have to wait to see who is the competition in
the next round. Many games yet to be played today. A workmanship
game for Olivia... doing what needed to be done to help the team. NICE!
An aside: Watching Ines and Portugal earlier this month and
now Olivia and Croatia, it is my opinion that Croatia plays more like
UCONN than Portugal. It must have been frustrating for INES to have
one style in your (GENO) head and trying to play a different style in Europe (IMO).

 

[#12in21]

More incidential STATS ( much too early to say much with many games NOT completed
as of this posting, BUT = Big "O" #3 in PPG at 19 ppg: # 10 in FG %,
# 7 in 2 point %, # 8 in free throws at 80 % # 1 in REBOUNDS !!!! at 19 rb pergame
# 4 in minutes played per game (37.9mpg) NOTE: Croatia Guards are #1 and # 2
in Minutes per game # 6 Hana Arnautova (sp) 40 minutes per Game!! and #9
Lena Bilic just under 40 minutes per game. Will we have tired legs against ISRAEL?
and finally OLIVA KRISTJANA VUKOSO is NUMBER ONE in EFFICIENCY per game
at 28 . 5 = not shabby for the youngest player on the Croatian team, at 14 years of age ( and one of
the youngest in the U16 tournament ) Also noteworthy in this game against Italy, of
Olivia's 22 rebounds = SEVEN were offensive and FIFTEEN were on the defensive end.
REST THOSE LEGS!! See you at 7 AM.

Thanks for all the recaps. Hopefully not long after Nika's departure we have a new Croatian Sensation on the squad, and yet another talented Husky with a Christ the King pedigree! Hoping Olivia makes her commitment as soon as eligible and its to play with the good guys.

 

[JellyBean]

OLIVIA is for real! Stats: played 40 minutes, 22 points,22 rebounds,6-8 free throws,2 assists and one steal. Second double double , 42 rebounds in 2 games and 38 points to lead the team. It was close at the end, but Croatia won. Now I will wait for 2 things to happen; will Olivia come to Uconn aaand will she GROW another 4".

Those are some nice numbers!!

 

[JellyBean]

I was watching some of the U16 games on YouTube and some of these players and teams, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium just to name a few, got some serious talent. The skill level is pretty decent.

 

[Next 12]

I have tried all day to find out who Olivia's parents are and how tall they are. No success. Does anyone on the Bone Yard know what rheir names are? It wouls answer a very big question for me. Thanks to snyone who knows.

 

[Next 12]

I have tried all day to find out who Olivia's parents are and how tall they are. No success. Does anyone on the Bone Yard know what rheir names are? It wouls answer a very big question for me. Thanks to snyone who knows.

I meant, Thanks to anyone that knows.

 

[Dublin]

I meant, Thanks to anyone that knows.

Will Olivia's tournament be over by the time the Huskies are in Croatia? If not, will the Huskies' staff meet with her parents?

 

[Argonaut]

Will Olivia's tournament be over by the time the Huskies are in Croatia? If not, will the Huskies' staff meet with her parents?

The tournament is in Turkey — she’s just playing for the Croatian national team.

I’m sure her parents have already had a chance to talk to the staff. Olivia has taken unofficial visits to UConn with her family — the most recent of which happened recently during the first summer session.

Alsoooooo, this week is designated by the NCAA as a recruiting shut down period. No contact can be made between recruits and programs.

 

[Zarathustra]

Croatia vs Belgium Wednesday at 2:30 PM on the internet
Olivia's Stats 16.7 ppg # 3 in the tournament FG % 39.5 % # 16 in
the tournament, 2 point % 46.9, # 8 in the tournament Three pointers
0 for 2 0% Free throw % 80% #5 in the tournament, rebounding
15.7 per game #1 !!!!! in the tournament Blocks 1.3 per game # 8 in
the tournament and fouls 3.3 per game 7th highest in the tournament
(remember she is using a different ball and different refs than in Long
Island at Christ the King Regional H.S. Croatia should win over
Belgium BUT Croatia has three out of the top four players in minutes
played per game: #1 Hana Arnautovic # 6 for CROATIA AT 39.9 MINUTES PER GAME
#3 Lena Bilic # 9 for Croatia at 38.7 minutes per game and finally OLIVIA
is # 4 she is # 15 at 36. 4 minutes per game ( and that with sitting out
with 4 fours in two games!!) So we might expect some tired legs sometime
during this tournament 7 games in 9 days!!! OUCH ! NOT A DEEP BENCH!!

 

[awhom111]

Croatia vs Belgium Wednesday at 2:30 PM on the internet
Olivia's Stats 16.7 ppg # 3 in the tournament FG % 39.5 % # 16 in
the tournament, 2 point % 46.9, # 8 in the tournament Three pointers
0 for 2 0% Free throw % 80% #5 in the tournament, rebounding
15.7 per game #1 !!!!! in the tournament Blocks 1.3 per game # 8 in
the tournament and fouls 3.3 per game 7th highest in the tournament
(remember she is using a different ball and different refs than in Long
Island at Christ the King Regional H.S. Croatia should win over
Belgium BUT Croatia has three out of the top four players in minutes
played per game: #1 Hana Arnautovic # 6 for CROATIA AT 39.9 MINUTES PER GAME
#3 Lena Bilic # 9 for Croatia at 38.7 minutes per game and finally OLIVIA
is # 4 she is # 15 at 36. 4 minutes per game ( and that with sitting out
with 4 fours in two games!!) So we might expect some tired legs sometime
during this tournament 7 games in 9 days!!! OUCH ! NOT A DEEP BENCH!!

Not a lot of teams have players with experience at a high club level given how young they are, but Belgium had Annie Kibedi, who still has a year in this age group, but played rotation minutes for the champions and played minutes in close EuroLeague games. Lena Bilic played a significant run for Nika's former club, which finished as runners up in Croatia. Obviously they have to win the first game, but this is not a terrible mini-bracket for them to reach the semifinals.

 

[CajunHusky]

Croatia vs Belgium Wednesday at 2:30 PM on the internet
Olivia's Stats 16.7 ppg # 3 in the tournament FG % 39.5 % # 16 in
the tournament, 2 point % 46.9, # 8 in the tournament Three pointers
0 for 2 0% Free throw % 80% #5 in the tournament, rebounding
15.7 per game #1 !!!!! in the tournament Blocks 1.3 per game # 8 in
the tournament and fouls 3.3 per game 7th highest in the tournament
(remember she is using a different ball and different refs than in Long
Island at Christ the King Regional H.S. Croatia should win over
Belgium BUT Croatia has three out of the top four players in minutes
played per game: #1 Hana Arnautovic # 6 for CROATIA AT 39.9 MINUTES PER GAME
#3 Lena Bilic # 9 for Croatia at 38.7 minutes per game and finally OLIVIA
is # 4 she is # 15 at 36. 4 minutes per game ( and that with sitting out
with 4 fours in two games!!) So we might expect some tired legs sometime
during this tournament 7 games in 9 days!!! OUCH ! NOT A DEEP BENCH!!

Croatia next plays Tuesday at 2:30p, game available at

https://www.youtube.com/FIBA

 

[Zarathustra]

Croatia next plays Tuesday at 2:30p, game available at

https://www.youtube.com/FIBA

Thanks for the correction! I've been losing days with getting up in
the middle of the night to watch World Cup Soccer, Spain over Sweden 2-1 WOW!
and , of course, Australia vs England , tomorrow morning at 6 AM. Tomorrow
being Wednesday ?? . I'm taking a nap today and a after supper bedtime =
When you get lost on the day, .... I hope it is just the sleep!, no? THANKS, Z

 

[Zarathustra]

End of First Quarter Croatia 20 Belgium 18
Olivia with three points but 5 rebounds. one turnover.
Olivia needs to practice with Aaliyah Edwards on completing
the step through to the basket and her " set shot" from
the foul line. I'm sure it will come ( in this game ), but for
now it is painful to watch. Croatia should be ahead more
and Olivia could easily have 10 points. But ... NO FOULS
on OLIVIA which is a good sign for an eventual "W"!

 

[Husky fanatic]

So far not a good offensive showing for Olivia. Seems to be just throwing it up there expecting a foul without even looking. Defensively doing just ok.

 

[Zarathustra]

At the half Croatia 39 Belgium 32 Oliva with eight points and 12 rebounds
with 4 offensive rebounds and 8 defensive. one foul (NICE!), three turnovers,
and a hustle play. The hustle play was when Olivia was blocked on shot under the basket by a rather tall
(# 16) Belgian player (no height for her on the roster, but she looks 6'5", #12 for Belgium is
also rather tall but also no height for her on the roster) so, ...after the block, Olivia trailed the play
and BLOCKED the Belgian on the other end of the floor, NO FOUL! NICE. RUNNING
THE FLOOR in a true UCONN fashion! EXCELLENT!
Olivia appears to have a sore left hip which she is messaging. It appears minor.
An off-game scoring for Olivia despite the 8 points, she needs to get her steps down for her pivot
move to the basket.... maybe it is the sore hip? Croatia should win this one
at the foul line... time will tell.

 

[Zarathustra]

So far not a good offensive showing for Olivia. Seems to be just throwing it up there expecting a foul without even looking. Defensively doing just ok.

I agree. I think part of the game plan is to get to the free throw line. But these shots
are not esthetically pleasing. Make those free throws! Olivia is four for six from the charity stripe, if
my notes are correct.

 

[Zarathustra]

End of the third quarter Croatia 67 Belgium 52 OLIVIA BIG 'O" with 12 points
in the quarter including two three pointers and bank shot hook and two free throws.
Croatia is spreading the floor and scoring on drives to the rim. Belgium staying
in there with some much improved three-point shooting.

 

[Alydar]

No 8 for Belgium was reduced to jumping on Vukosa's back in the 1st half. Croatia making some nice drives off of high post screens.
I watched the 2018 U17's last night. Boston, a high school junior, looked a lot like Vukosa does as a freshman.

 

[Zarathustra]

Final Score : Croatia 90 Belgium 72
Olivia with 38 minutes, 21 seconds of playing time (sitting out at
the end of the game). 22 points , 18 rebounds FOUR FOULS!!
2 assists, 6 turnovers, one block, and an efficiency rating of 24.
If you could ignore most of the first half it was a rather good
game for Olivia. H.C. of Croatia is very supportive of her players:
no shouting, no blaming... education on the sidelines... NICE!
# 6 Hana A, and #9 Bilic had a field day driving to the rim for layups
when Croatia spread the floor and, of course, Olivia made those three pointers
it REALLY helped spread the floor. Nice Game Plan from the Croatian
Head Coach... and of course the ladies also got their rhythm for
their shooting in the second half. = outscoring Belgium 51 to 40.
So, Croatia will be in the winner's bracket in the next round. However, the next game will be
a real challenge, the draw should put them against one of the
top four teams... not an easy task with all those minutes the Primary
Croatia players are racking up!

 

[Zarathustra]

No 8 for Belgium was reduced to jumping on Vukosa's back in the 1st half. Croatia making some nice drives off of high post screens.
I watched the 2018 U17's last night. Boston, a high school junior, looked a lot like Vukosa does as a freshman.

I agree that Olivia has a pretty good " upside". Let's keep the Croatian connection working! (even
if it has to go through LONG ISLAND, NY!!)

 

[Charliebball]

clearly the "Big O" needs plenty of development before she's a finished product, but she has all of the ingredients needed to be a major force by the time she reaches UConn...........yes, a little wishful thinking on my part as I'd love to see Geno and Co. have the opportunity to make her the best player she could be.......Bilic, the lefty slasher seems like quite a good prospect too.......

 

[CajunHusky]

clearly the "Big O" needs plenty of development before she's a finished product, but she has all of the ingredients needed to be a major force by the time she reaches UConn...........yes, a little wishful thinking on my part as I'd love to see Geno and Co. have the opportunity to make her the best player she could be.......Bilic, the lefty slasher seems like quite a good prospect too.......

Considering she is 14 and just entering her Sophmore year in high school I would say she is playing head and shoulders above her peers.

 

[Charliebball]

Considering she is 14 and just entering her Sophmore year in high school I would say she is playing head and shoulders above her peers.

Absolutely right..........she's quite advanced for her age but still needs to do the work to reach her full potential...........I expect great things from her and I hope we get to see it as a UConn student-athlete......

 

[Zarathustra]

Croatia next plays undefeated FINLAND at NOON in TURKEY, 7 hours time difference
should make that 5 AM! The stats: Finland 73.8 ppg Croatia 73.5 ppg, rebounds Finland
52.8 rbpg Croatia 52.3 rbpg, assists 17.0 to 17.8, Croatia with an edge on three
point shooting 34 % to 29.5 % and free throws 70.5 % to 54.1% A troublesome
area is STEALS = Finland gets 13. 5 pg and Croatia 9 pg.
Croatia top three scores are #1, #2, and # 4 in the tournament: Hana Arnautovic
at 18.3 ppg, Olivia at 18 ppg, and Lena Bilic at 17.5 ppg. But to do this they are
#1 in minutes # 2 in minutes and Olivia at # 3 in minutes played per game. Those
numbers are 39.6 min, 38.4 minutes and 36.9 minutes for Olivia. On reflection I
believe "some" of Olivia's poor shooting in the first half against Belgium was due
to Belgium # 16 Laura Viloinska. I could not find her height but I will try to attached
a photo of Laura and Oliva so you can be the judge. Perhaps (?) to took Olivia
some time to adjust to the long body and arms of Ms. Laura

 

[Alydar]

Vukosa, unlike most of the players, is using a strange ball.

 

[awhom111]

Croatia next plays undefeated FINLAND at NOON in TURKEY, 7 hours time difference
should make that 5 AM! The stats: Finland 73.8 ppg Croatia 73.5 ppg, rebounds Finland
52.8 rbpg Croatia 52.3 rbpg, assists 17.0 to 17.8, Croatia with an edge on three
point shooting 34 % to 29.5 % and free throws 70.5 % to 54.1% A troublesome
area is STEALS = Finland gets 13. 5 pg and Croatia 9 pg.
Croatia top three scores are #1, #2, and # 4 in the tournament: Hana Arnautovic
at 18.3 ppg, Olivia at 18 ppg, and Lena Bilic at 17.5 ppg. But to do this they are
#1 in minutes # 2 in minutes and Olivia at # 3 in minutes played per game. Those
numbers are 39.6 min, 38.4 minutes and 36.9 minutes for Olivia. On reflection I
believe "some" of Olivia's poor shooting in the first half against Belgium was due
to Belgium # 16 Laura Viloinska. I could not find her height but I will try to attached
a photo of Laura and Oliva so you can be the judge. Perhaps (?) to took Olivia
some time to adjust to the long body and arms of Ms. LauraView attachment 90676

That should be noon ET:


Winners in the quarterfinals qualify for the U17 World Cup while the losing teams would have to win their last two games to take the last spot.

Belgium's federation lists Laura Vilcinskas as 196cm, which would probably get her listed as at least 6'6" in the US.

Finland is undefeated, but they did end up coming through the weakest group.

 

[Zarathustra]

Yes, NOON EST! The tip off time was already adjusted to EST! So, no adjustment
required. Maybe a conflict if the BONEYARD gets a live stream of the exhibition
game of UCONN WBB with The Croatian ALL STARS at Srednje Skole Jelkovec,
Zagreb, Croatia. But I think we will all be watching NIKA!

That should be noon ET:


Winners in the quarterfinals qualify for the U17 World Cup while the losing teams would have to win their last two games to take the last spot.

Belgium's federation lists Laura Vilcinskas as 196cm, which would probably get her listed as at least 6'6" in the US.

Finland is undefeated, but they did end up coming through the weakest group.

Thanks for the info on the height of Laura Vilcinskas as 6'6". She of the height and the
long arms. About Finland, even if their pool was less strong, I still fear any team that has more of a bench than Croatia
has. Finland has Nicole Ogun and Tiia Telonen (sp), #9. Their team height includes two players at 6'2" and
two at 6'0". If Croatia wins they will probably next play SPAIN who is also undefeated so far in the tournament and
then, perhaps, France, from the opposite bracket, also undefeated so far. But.... one game at a time... GO CROATIA!
And ....Go Big "O"( hopefully a future HUSKY!)