The Big O is one of 3 finalists for Gatorade POY

[oldude]

Olivia has been named as 1 of 3 finalists for Gatorade National POY. She is the only finalist from the class of 2026. The other 2 finalists, from the class of 2027, are Kaleena Smith from Ontario Christian HS in CA and Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka from the Bullis School in Md.

The winner will be announced shortly.

 

[Next 12]

I'm going to assume that Olivia is going to win.

 

[BobbyJ]

Olivia has been named as 1 of 3 finalists for Gatorade National POY. She is the only finalist from the class of 2026. The other 2 finalists, from the class of 2027, are Kaleena Smith from Ontario Christian HS in CA and Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka from the Bullis School in Md.

The winner will be announced shortly.

This is pretty interesting considering who's in the class of 2026. Hall, Harpring, Edwards, Bjorn, Robinson etc.

 

[AmeriConn]

 

[jaundicedeye]

This is pretty interesting considering who's in the class of 2026. Hall, Harpring, Edwards, Bjorn, Robinson etc.

Also interesting in that Prep Girls has her ranked #5 and ESPN has her at #3 in their ranking of 2026 HS players.

 

[Vowelguy]

Olivia has been named as 1 of 3 finalists for Gatorade National POY. She is the only finalist from the class of 2026. The other 2 finalists, from the class of 2027, are Kaleena Smith from Ontario Christian HS in CA and Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka from the Bullis School in Md.

The winner will be announced shortly.

Whoa TWO juniors

 

[EricSD]

Kind of shocking since she's 3rd in her own class. I do get that a part of the rankings have to do with potential so maybe ESPN feels Hall and Edwards have more upside...

But regardless, congrats to all 3 finalists especially Olivia who has already committed to UConn. Now let's get the other 2!!!

 

[oldude]

Also interesting in that Prep Girls has her ranked #5 and ESPN has her at #3 in their ranking of 2026 HS players.

For many years there’s been something I refer to as a “UConn bump” relative to HS rankings. Essentially, after Geno signs someone, their ratings tend to elevate. I don’t know if the current ratings are set in stone or not. But if the Big O earns Gatorade POY and continues to star for Croatia’s senior team in the Eurobasket tournament, I would not be surprised if she ends up as the top recruit in the Class of 2026.

 

[oldude]

This is pretty interesting considering who's in the class of 2026. Hall, Harpring, Edwards, Bjorn, Robinson etc.

They are all good players. But a 6’5” post with the offensive skill set of Olivia is as rare as rocking horse crap.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

That won't be happening. Hall is committed to U$C and Edwards is going to Tennessee unless this coaching mess with Caldwell's possible demise drives her away. And Edwards wasn't a serious option for UConn and vice versa anyway.

I think Eric meant Kaleena and Ivanna, though I can understand how you interpreted it that way because of the first sentence in Eric’s post.

• That would be reminiscent of the 2024 Naismith with Sarah and Morgan (2 of 5).

 

[AmeriConn]

Kind of shocking since she's 3rd in her own class. I do get that a part of the rankings have to do with potential so maybe ESPN feels Hall and Edwards have more upside...

But regardless, congrats to all 3 finalists especially Olivia who has already committed to UConn. Now let's get the other 2!!!

View attachment 118116

Doesn’t make sense to me.

 

[BobbyJ]

I think Eric meant Kaleena and Ivanna, though I can understand how you interpreted it that way because of the first sentence in Eric’s post.

• That would be reminiscent of the 2024 Naismith with Sarah and Morgan (2 of 5).

Ah yeah, that skipped past me. I'll get rid of that one.

 

[Stronga12]

Considering Gatorade NPOY is related to ESPN could this be an indication that they will have Olivia as the No1 recruit in their final ranking?

 

[jaundicedeye]

Considering Gatorade NPOY is related to ESPN could this be an indication that they will have Olivia as the No1 recruit in their final ranking?

I'd like to think so. Her ESPN ranking did not improve after she committed to UConn, and it has been that way for quite a while now.

 

[darrell]

I'm going to assume that Olivia is going to win.

Azzi won as a Sophomore, beating Aliyah Boston, Haley Jones (Seniors) and Paige (Junior). Kaleena could absolutely win, but of course I’m rooting for Big O.

 

[Charliebball]

As much as I'd love to see the Big "O" chosen, I'd say Kaleena Smith is likely the winner.....

 

[hoophuskee]

Isn't Hall on the list? I would guess Hall or Smith.

 

[CONNCAN]

Can anyone name all of the other Former New York State Gatorade Player of the Year selections, who played Women's Basketball at UCONN?

 

[CONNCAN]

UCONN Players Named New York Gatorade Player of the Year

The following athletes earned the state's top honor before joining the Huskies:

Olivia Vukosa (2024-25, 2025-26): A 6-foot-5 post player from Christ the King High School who committed to UConn in 2025.

Andra Espinoza-Hunter (2016-17): Won the award at Ossining High School before playing for UConn (later transferred to Mississippi State and then to Seton Hall).

Saniya Chong (2012-13): A guard from Ossining High School.

Breanna Stewart (2010-11, 2011-12): Two-time winner from Cicero-North Syracuse High School and the 2012 Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Bria Hartley (2008-09, 2009-10): Two-time winner from North Babylon High School.

Lorin Dixon (2006-07): A guard from Christ the King High School.

Tina Charles (2005-06): Star from Christ the King High School and the 2006 Gatorade National Player of the Year.

NOTE:

Sue Bird: While not winning the NYS Gatorade Player of the Year award [Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year award was won by Nicole Kaczmarski for three consecutive years from 1996–97 through 1998–99]. Sue Bird did achieve other awards, such as:

- NY State Player of the Year: Awarded by various media and coaches' associations.
- New York Daily News Player of the Year: A major regional honor for NYC-area athletes.

 

[packwrap]

Considering Gatorade NPOY is related to ESPN could this be an indication that they will have Olivia as the No1 recruit in their final ranking?

Just curious, how is ESPN linked with Gatorade awards?

Gatorade awards 50 State winners and 1 national winner in roughly 10 high school sports for girls and boys and over at least past 20 years. I don't believe this selection process is linked at all with ESPN.

 

[oldude]

Isn't Hall on the list? I would guess Hall or Smith.

Hall is not a finalist. For what it’s worth, in addition to basketball ability, the Gatorade POY criteria include academic performance, character and community service.

 

[1974yankees]

Olivia has been named as 1 of 3 finalists for Gatorade National POY. She is the only finalist from the class of 2026. The other 2 finalists, from the class of 2027, are Kaleena Smith from Ontario Christian HS in CA and Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka from the Bullis School in Md.

The winner will be announced shortly.

Just saw a video of her. They are comparing her to Stewie.

 

[Phil]

 

[oldude]

Just saw a video of her. They are comparing her to Stewie.

Certainly Olivia’s offensive skill set is similar to Stewie. But her size is similar to Steph. So she may be a Stewie/Steph clone? 😉

 

[SVCBeercats]

Also interesting in that Prep Girls has her ranked #5 and ESPN has her at #3 in their ranking of 2026 HS players.

What do they know?