2026 Recruiting: Olivia Vukosa

[Sluconn Husky]

Sitting a couple rows back of the baseline Friday was Connecticut women’s basketball coach and 11-time NCAA champion Geno Auriemma. He’s one of several to have already extended a Division I offer to Vukosa, looking to bring a talented big into his equation for the 2026-2027 season and beyond.


“They play inside and out, and I feel like with Geno, I can be comfortable going outside and inside, and it won’t be a problem for him,” Vukosa said. “Obviously I have to be able to get down low, but if needed, I can shoot a 3 for him too.”


Auriemma has been in Mackey’s ear throughout the process.


Even with college ball still a couple years away for the still-developing junior, Vukosa’s coach anticipates hearing from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer – this time for an uncommon reason.


“I’m sure I’ll get a call from coach Auriemma about, ‘what did you say before the game that put (the Royals) to sleep?’,” Mackey said. “It’ll be something of that nature.”

Responding to slow start, Olivia Vukosa leaves her mark for Christ the King at Hoophall Classic

Junior center Olivia Vukosa left her mark as a top-five recruit in the Class of 2026 with 25 points and MVP honors for Christ the King (NY) on Friday

www.masslive.com

 

[Zarathustra]

WOW! the "BIG O " VUKOSA vs "THE BEAN"!
Quite the HIGHLIGHT REEL.

 

[Zarathustra]

BIG O = 25 Points 9 Rebounds 3 Blocks
Incredible Evening for Vukosa!

 

[Zarathustra]

Sitting a couple rows back of the baseline Friday was Connecticut women’s basketball coach and 11-time NCAA champion Geno Auriemma. He’s one of several to have already extended a Division I offer to Vukosa, looking to bring a talented big into his equation for the 2026-2027 season and beyond.


“They play inside and out, and I feel like with Geno, I can be comfortable going outside and inside, and it won’t be a problem for him,” Vukosa said. “Obviously I have to be able to get down low, but if needed, I can shoot a 3 for him too.”


Auriemma has been in Mackey’s ear throughout the process.


Even with college ball still a couple years away for the still-developing junior, Vukosa’s coach anticipates hearing from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer – this time for an uncommon reason.


“I’m sure I’ll get a call from coach Auriemma about, ‘what did you say before the game that put (the Royals) to sleep?’,” Mackey said. “It’ll be something of that nature.”

Responding to slow start, Olivia Vukosa leaves her mark for Christ the King at Hoophall Classic

Junior center Olivia Vukosa left her mark as a top-five recruit in the Class of 2026 with 25 points and MVP honors for Christ the King (NY) on Friday

www.masslive.com

Great Quote from "THE BIG O": "I feel like with Geno, I can be comfortable".
See the whole longer quote in this SIuconn Husky post!!

 

[Staven]

I'm heading up to Springfield to watch her play at 9AM against Sacred Heart in Hamden.

 

[Staven]

Watching the game now in Springfield not much scoring from Olivia but her passing and defensive presence has made it difficult for Sacred Heart to score inside. If Geno can get her to commit she would be a great fit for UConn. She literally does it all!

 

[Charliebball]

Sitting a couple rows back of the baseline Friday was Connecticut women’s basketball coach and 11-time NCAA champion Geno Auriemma. He’s one of several to have already extended a Division I offer to Vukosa, looking to bring a talented big into his equation for the 2026-2027 season and beyond.


“They play inside and out, and I feel like with Geno, I can be comfortable going outside and inside, and it won’t be a problem for him,” Vukosa said. “Obviously I have to be able to get down low, but if needed, I can shoot a 3 for him too.”


Auriemma has been in Mackey’s ear throughout the process.


Even with college ball still a couple years away for the still-developing junior, Vukosa’s coach anticipates hearing from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer – this time for an uncommon reason.


“I’m sure I’ll get a call from coach Auriemma about, ‘what did you say before the game that put (the Royals) to sleep?’,” Mackey said. “It’ll be something of that nature.”

Responding to slow start, Olivia Vukosa leaves her mark for Christ the King at Hoophall Classic

Junior center Olivia Vukosa left her mark as a top-five recruit in the Class of 2026 with 25 points and MVP honors for Christ the King (NY) on Friday

www.masslive.com

Thrilled to hear Geno is showing serious in person, in season interest in the "Big O"!! She's built for UConn.......

 

[Sluconn Husky]

1/18

Vukosa: 24 points, 16 rebs, 3 assists, 4 blocks

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Big O, bigger impact: Olivia Vukosa redefines selflessness in hoops - The Springfield Student

Class of 2026 prospect Olivia Vukosa has focused on becoming a better facilitator as she makes a name for herself in the big apple

scstudentmedia.com

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[RoadMaster]

Claiming her decision is, "coming soon"..hmm

 

[BobbyJ]

Claiming her decision is, "coming soon"..hmm

Probably a good move. Time to start helping out with the recruiting before those other 2026 kids start coming off the board.

 

[Zarathustra]

Probably a good move. Time to start helping out with the recruiting before those other 2026 kids start coming off the board.

This "article" on Olivia appears to be to me some sort of "CLICK BAIT".
It had Olivia in one picture wearing a TEXAS LONGHORN jersey!! Maybe
I am overreacting, but does anyone know anything Positive about the
"Official GOAT basketball" link noted in thread number # 136 above.??
It seems to be an ODD time of year for any "verbal" commitment...
it is nowhere near any OFFICIAL SIGNING PERIOD!!!

 

[yhun89]

This "article" on Olivia appears to be to me some sort of "CLICK BAIT".
It had Olivia in one picture wearing a TEXAS LONGHORN jersey!! Maybe
I am overreacting, but does anyone know anything Positive about the
"Official GOAT basketball" link noted in thread number # 136 above.??
It seems to be an ODD time of year for any "verbal" commitment...
it is nowhere near any OFFICIAL SIGNING PERIOD!!!

I believe Kelis gave a verbal when she was a sophomore. Not totally out of the ordinary for Big O to do the same.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I believe Kelis gave a verbal when she was a sophomore. Not totally out of the ordinary for Big O to do the same.

Vukosa is a 2026, a junior.

 

[yhun89]

Vukosa is a 2026, a junior.

I am aware of that. I more meant that it wouldn’t be unheard of for Olivia to commit early by a year or two, like Kelis did.

 

[Geew1992]

Has she made any visits besides UCONN?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Has she made any visits besides UCONN?

OSU, Texas, WV, MD, PSU, NC, Duke, Lou

 

[RoadMaster]

Here's to hoping..

 

[Charliebball]

I don't care when she commits.............I only care where she commits........

 

[Zarathustra]

I don't care when she commits.............I only care where she commits........

I was most encouraged by the article that was linked in this thread,
2026 Recruiting: - Olivia Vukosa... see thread #126 from Saturday, above.
At the end of that article by JNelson@masslive is a series of comments
by Olivia, e.g. "They play inside and out, and I feel like with Geno, I
can be comfortable.... " See the article (and/or link #126) for the whole quote. I.e.
The title of the article is: "Responding to slow start, Olivia Vukosa leaves her mark for Christ the King at Hoophall Classic."

 

[Charliebball]

I was most encouraged by the article that was linked in this thread,
2026 Recruiting: - Olivia Vukosa... see thread #126 from Saturday, above.
At the end of that article by JNelson@masslive is a series of comments
by Olivia, e.g. "They play inside and out, and I feel like with Geno, I
can be comfortable.... " See the article (and/or link #126) for the whole quote. I.e.
The title of the article is: "Responding to slow start, Olivia Vukosa leaves her mark for Christ the King at Hoophall Classic."

She's been closely associated with UConn for years but I've been disappointed by all of her recruiting visits elsewhere.....hopefully, she comes full circle back to Geno when then time is right.........