Recruiting: Nell Angloma

[RoadWarrior]

I think Nell's play and athleticism reflect how the game is evolving and where UCONN, as a team, is moving. Her ability to get to the rim and draw fouls would be a strong value-add to the team. You are not getting additional strength for the team from the three-point line with either player at this stage of their development, but neither would UCONN have gotten that skill if Jerzey Robinson filled the final open slot. Since the Final Four runs between April 3-5 and the Regular Signing Period does not open until April 15, you never know what might happen to the roster at large.

 

[From Canada]

I would go with Angloma for the short term because she's the more ready to play solid minutes right now and I'm not sure she'd stay more than a year or two. And although Okeke may not stay long term either, because of her size and potential impact, she could become possibly one of the best players in the country in a couple of years. So obviously, either one is certainly fine for me.

If Nell Angloma chooses to play in the NCAA next year, she will have to play for at least two years. She was born in 2006, and to play in the US she must be at least 22 years old during the draft year, which means that for her, it will be the 2028 draft. The only way to be drafted before the age of 22 while playing in the US is to have obtained a four-year degree. This year, there could be Cassandre Prosper from ND. She was born on June 25, 2005, which means she will be 20 years old at the time of the next draft. She was born in the same year as Allie, Morgan, and Gandy. Prosper's situation is very rare, however. Lanie Grant from NC, who was born in 2007, will also have this choice to make in two years. Prosper could be credited with another NCAA year due to injury, but there is no indication that Grant will have this choice. As for Sara Okeke, she will have to play for at least three years. Born in 2007, she will be eligible in 2029 if she plays in the US. We can take comfort in the fact that, if the rules remain the same, Sara will have to play for four years.

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[WBBZen]

Not to be dramatic, but I think if Angloma opted for college it would indicate a huge shift in how international talent is approaching development. If Alicia T going to SC was a tremor, this would be an earthquake

 

[oldhusky]

If we have a choice in who finishes the 2026 class who do you prefer, Sara Okeke or Nell Angloma?

I would take Okeke if it was a choice. The possibility of a great three big rotation with Sarah and the Big O is intriguing. With solid options for a 4th and 5th big in Ayanna and Jana, and a development project in Gandy. When teamed with Olivia, Okeke can be the 5 on offense and the 4 on defense.

If she does well and warrants more minutes, it also covers the 3 position with great play for 40 minutes, because Sarah could be Blanca's backup there for a few minutes playing with The Big O and Okeke.

Part of my preference for Okeke, is I like the prospect of Sarah getting minutes at the 3 better than Blanca getting more minutes at the 4. Blanca can play the 4, but is a much better 3. Sarah is exceptional at either position, and amazingly good at the 5 as well, but I consider the 5 her least great position of the three.

Having players like Paige and Sarah that can play not just two positions but 3 or 4 at an exceptionally high level can solve a lot of potential problem areas. I'm pretty sure Okeke would be a two position player as well, maybe Nell too, but the 4 seems like a stretch because of her size, and the 2 not ideal because of her 3 pt shot. As a 3 she could be great, but that is best for Blanca and maybe Morgan as well, although she could be another 4 position player like Paige, but at a much lower level of course.

 

[asuwish]

These numbers 1-5 are actually random.yes the person bringing the ball up is considered the 1, but once they pass it if they get it back in the corner and shoot are they the 2, and if you only stay close to the basket are you the 5? Olivia shoots 3's what does that make her? Some teams use multiple players to bring the ball up. If we go small and Sarah is the tallest player is she really a 5? She probably guards the tallest player on the other team but does that make her a 5? Uconn had Azzi Ashlyn Allie and KK on the court at the same time with Sarah. Does that mean we have a 1,,2,2,3,4. One team can put any combo of 5 and the other team decides how to counter it.

 

[IndyMark]

I would take Okeke if it was a choice. The possibility of a great three big rotation with Sarah and the Big O is intriguing. With solid options for a 4th and 5th big in Ayanna and Jana, and a development project in Gandy. When teamed with Olivia, Okeke can be the 5 on offense and the 4 on defense.

If she does well and warrants more minutes, it also covers the 3 position with great play for 40 minutes, because Sarah could be Blanca's backup there for a few minutes playing with The Big O and Okeke.

Part of my preference for Okeke, is I like the prospect of Sarah getting minutes at the 3 better than Blanca getting more minutes at the 4. Blanca can play the 4, but is a much better 3. Sarah is exceptional at either position, and amazingly good at the 5 as well, but I consider the 5 her least great position of the three.

Having players like Paige and Sarah that can play not just two positions but 3 or 4 at an exceptionally high level can solve a lot of potential problem areas. I'm pretty sure Okeke would be a two position player as well, maybe Nell too, but the 4 seems like a stretch because of her size, and the 2 not ideal because of her 3 pt shot. As a 3 she could be great, but that is best for Blanca and maybe Morgan as well, although she could be another 4 position player like Paige, but at a much lower level of course.

Great perspective!

 

[oldhusky]

These numbers 1-5 are actually random.yes the person bringing the ball up is considered the 1, but once they pass it if they get it back in the corner and shoot are they the 2, and if you only stay close to the basket are you the 5? Olivia shoots 3's what does that make her? Some teams use multiple players to bring the ball up. If we go small and Sarah is the tallest player is she really a 5? She probably guards the tallest player on the other team but does that make her a 5? Uconn had Azzi Ashlyn Allie and KK on the court at the same time with Sarah. Does that mean we have a 1,,2,2,3,4. One team can put any combo of 5 and the other team decides how to counter it.

There is a lot of overlap, but drilling down on a specific possible scenario I want to make the point with The Big O and Okeke in a lineup at the same time (potentially with Sarah as well). Because their skills are different it is obvious to me that they should switch positions on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.

The Big O has perimeter skills on offense in addition to down low. Okeke is pretty much only a low post scorer. On defense Okeke is the much quicker more mobile player that could be more effective guarding away from the hoop. Both players could play the 4 or 5, but when together using Okeke as the 5 on offense and Olivia as the 4 is much better than the other way around. Similarly switching the two on the defensive side is much better with Olivia near the basket and Okeke guarding more away from the basket. Used that way they could compliment each other very well.

This kind of switching roles on different ends of the floor, happens every once in a while. The Las Vegas Aces did that for several years at PG and SG with Gray and Plum. Offensively Gray despite being the much bigger player was the PG and Plum off the ball. It worked. The potential problem was at the other end where Plum was too small to guard some SG's, and Gray too slow to stay with quicker PG's, so they just switched.

 

[ju6381]

Kid would be the best freshman in the country if she decides to play in college. All in on this kid playing at UConn

 

[From Canada]

Not to be dramatic, but I think if Angloma opted for college it would indicate a huge shift in how international talent is approaching development. If Alicia T going to SC was a tremor, this would be an earthquake

In my opinion, choosing the NCAA is a wise decision for furthering your development. It also allows you to speak another language and be exposed to the American style of play. On the other hand, it delays your WNBA draft eligibility by two years. However, in reality, very few players manage to play in their first year.

Last year, of the three international players born in 2005 who were selected in the first round, only Dominique Malonga #2 managed to join the rotation, and that was only in the second half of the season. Juste Jocyte #5 and Ajsa Sivka #10 overall did not play in the WNBA in 2025. My conclusion is that for a single year in the draft, it is better to choose the NCAA, which I believe better prepares you for the WNBA and provides you with an academic Plan B in the form of a university degree.

Alicia Tournebize understood this. By joining South Carolina now, she will be eligible for the 2029 WNBA draft instead of 2027, but she will most likely have earned a university degree, which is far from insignificant.


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