Olivia Vukosa to UConn (merged) | Page 4 | The Boneyard

Olivia Vukosa to UConn (merged)

Charliebball said:
The Big "O" is going to thrive in the UConn system.......she's capable of scoring anywhere from under the basket out to 25 feet, can pass the ball, sets great screens, pounds the glass and blocks shots.......what else can you ask for.......
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Sounds just like another player I remember playing at UConn…a current sophomore…#21…what the heck is her name?
 
She is a 6-foot-4 post, but moves gracefully on the court for her size and has skills that stretch the floor beyond the three-point line as well, but still maintains the ability to post hard and punish opponents on the block. Her rebounding efforts in the last calendar year have improved tremendously as she found the value of attacking the offensive glass. Defensively, her mobility will allow her to play in multiple schemes and strategies while maintaining the physical presence demanded of post players.


 
How she fits: Vukosa is in the mold of the traditionally multifaceted post player favored by Geno Auriemma -- in fact, she fits the mold of the prototypical UConn player with whom Auriemma has seen success over the years. UConn is very methodical about building its roster and tends to look for the next name around which to anchor its rosters: Breanna Stewart in 2012, Napheesa Collier in 2015, Paige Bueckers in 2020, Azzi Fudd in 2021 and Sarah Strong in 2024.

When it comes to Vukosa, the Huskies should be able to utilize her skill set beyond the block and the paint, as she is a competent decision-maker and passer, and has the ability to play outside the 3-point line. Think of Stefanie Dolson, who was a key support for Stewart during the first two years of UConn's run of four straight title wins (2013-16).

Vukosa, a true center, will allow UConn to continue running its offense through a big who lifts the opponent's defensive anchor and spaces the floor for quick, speedy playmakers. Vukosa should be able to play well off Strong and advance her effectiveness, much like Collier did with Stewart during those title runs. She should also fit well with 2025 recruit Blanca Quiñonez -- who also has comparable international experience and playing styles -- and open things up for the likes of Kayleigh Heckel and KK Arnold. Vukosa has an incredibly high ceiling and could seriously challenge current No. 1 Saniyah Hall by the end of this season.


www.espn.com

How No. 3 Olivia Vukosa fits into UConn's legacy of top recruits, more girls' commit fits

Breaking down the fits of every top 2026 commitment, including the Huskies' first recruit in the class.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
I have some of the most mixed emotions and assessments (all good) of any top 3 recruit I have seen in over 30 years of following Geno and UConn Women's Basketball. Emotionally, I wanted the Big O as much as Paige and Azzi. Perfect fit-smart player, makes teammates better, special basketball skills. While we were all relatively certain that Paige and Azzi could come in and immediately be one of the best players in the country, Olivia will likely be a top 20 player but still has room to grow. Likely one of the reasons she picked UConn. Many forget that while Dolson was productive as a frosh, her skills greatly expanded once she got in "UConn shape," understood how to play better defense against quicker players, and collaborated with her guards (i.e. most high school guards don't come close to UConn's skills or use UConn's system). Great fit with a win-win for all. Thrilled for all UConn fans.
 
Watching a number of the many videos of the Big O, along with reading an article on Greenville Online, I have a couple of thoughts.

- Of her 5 finalists at least 3 (TX, LSU & tOSU) had a photo shoot with Olivia in a game uniform, something we will never, ever see so long as Geno is the HC at UConn. Wondering if she gets to keep the uni’s…. 😁

- As I watch Olivia’s array of offensive moves I have to keep reminding myself that she’s 6’4”. Her “spin cycle” driving layups with either hand are amazing. I can not wait until the first time she leaves a defender grasping for air in a UConn game as she spins by for a layup. 🤩

- SC was the 5th school listed among Olivia’s finalists. Evidently, she never made it down to Columbia for a visit and an opportunity to try on a Gamecock uniform. I guess when you know, you know… 😎

- There have been a number of comparisons of Olivia to both Steph & Stewie. While both comparisons are reasonably apt, as I watch her game, Olivia reminds me of a bigger version of Tuck, particularly with all her finishing moves around the basket along with her ability to step out and knock down 3’s.
 
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I'm not sure if this has already been mentioned here but Olivia self-reported her height as 6 ft 5 in this questionnaire she shared on her Instagram story last week

jrallstar.com

Fast Facts With Olivia Vukosa - Jr. All-Star Basketball

Get to know Olivia Vukosa a little better in this edition of Fast Facts! Check out her answers to a few quick questions about her game, goals, and […] More
jrallstar.com jrallstar.com
 
I get the impulse to compare Olivia to Mama Stef. I’d say Olivia is already further along the skills trajectory than I recall Stef being as a freshman. She has better handles, quicker feet and is at least as intuitive a rim protector. Above all, Olivia seems to be in much better shape than freshman Stef. What surprises me about Olivia though, and Stef developed this quickly too, is a decent perimeter game. Olivia seems to like shooting from the elbow extended beyond the arc. I haven’t seen a stat for this, but it wouldn’t surprise me to find out she shoots somewhere around 30% from three.
 
No surprise, but she seems humble, just a really nice kid who happens to be unusually good at basketball.

IMG_3129.jpeg
 
oldude said:
Watching a number of the many videos of the Big O, along with reading an article on Greenville Online, I have a couple of thoughts.

- Of her 5 finalists at least 3 (TX, LSU & tOSU) had a photo shoot with Olivia in a game uniform, something we will never, ever see so long as Geno is the HC at UConn. Wondering if she gets to keep the uni’s…. 😁

- As I watch Olivia’s array of offensive moves I have to keep reminding myself that she’s 6’4”. Her “spin cycle” driving layups with either hand are amazing. I can not wait until the first time she leaves a defender grasping for air in a UConn game as she spins by for a layup. 🤩

- SC was the 5th school listed among Olivia’s finalists. Evidently, she never made it down to Columbia for a visit and an opportunity to try on a Gamecock uniform. I guess when you know, you know… 😎

- There have been a number of comparisons of Olivia to both Steph & Stewie. While both comparisons are reasonably apt, as I watch her game, Olivia reminds me of a bigger version of Tuck, particularly with all her finishing moves around the basket along with her ability to step out and knock down 3’s.
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1) Nah, those are just props for the photoshoots.
2) Agreed. Notice that she does a few things that a lot of current college posts don't understand yet. When she catches within 10 feet she immediately recognizes options and there's no hesitation and no trying to avoid contact. It's not always smooth but she goes hard at the rack and there's no fallaway crap. And defensively there's no swatting, she goes right for where the release is coming.
3) She enjoyed the recruiting process all the way through as she should have. But she "knew" all along for the last couple years. 😉
4) Good comparison on Tuck. And if she learns and understands the defensive communication from the paint like Tuck, she'll be outstanding.
 
BobbyJ said:
It's not always smooth but she goes hard at the rack and there's no fallaway crap. And defensively there's no swatting, she goes right for where the release is coming.
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I agree on both counts. 6’2” players need to have a fall away shot. But at 6’4” a fall away can be more of a liability than an asset. It forfeits the chance of creating fouls through the inevitable contact, and with Olivia’s quick feet and release on those spin moves she is likely to generate a lot of fouls on opposing posts. And with her long arms (and they look really long to me) getting her shot off doesn’t look to be a problem.

And the swatting thing drives me crazy. It’s what whistle happy refs look for. Merely nudging the ball upwards is often enough to force a miss and avoid a foul, and makes it possible to simply grab the ball a moment later. Sarah hardly ever swats and seems to understand this same thing intuitively. I’m not sure if Serah has this same wisdom yet.
 

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