Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies will face the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. At the end of the run, several UConn players are expected to leave the program, either for the WNBA or to other schools via the transfer portal. But Auriemma doesn’t have much to worry about.
His next batch of student-athletes is gearing up to take over the program, and that group may be led by Olivia Vukosa, a 6-4 center from Christ the King Regional High School in Queens.
A video of her at McDonald’s All-American Games workouts was posted on X. Vukosa can be seen making deep threes, working in the paint, playing defense, blocking shots and facilitating.
Vukosa had the option to go to South Carolina, LSU, Texas, or Ohio State. However, she chose UConn in October 2025 and signed the National Letter of Intent the following month.
In her junior year in high school, she averaged 19.4 points, 17.9 rebounds, 5.5 blocks, and 3.8 assists. She averaged 17.8 points, 18.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 4.4 blocks in her senior year.
Vukosa represented Croatia in the 2023 FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship, averaging 22.6 points and 17.1 rebounds per game. In the 2024 FIBA Under-17 Women’s Basketball World Cup, she averaged a double-double of 19.4 points, 15.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.6 assists.
Geno Auriemma’s 5-Star Commit Olivia Vukosa won the Gatorade National Girls Player of the Year
Winning the Gatorade National Girls Player of the Year is one of the biggest accomplishments in college sports, and a select few have had the honor. Vukosa added her name to the celebrated list this year.
To make it even more special, Diana Taurasi, a UConn legend and a basketball legend in general, presented the award to her.
“I’ve heard and seen Olivia for the last four years,” Taurasi said. “Coach has always hit me up, like, you’ve got to see this kid. You got to see this kid. And watching her play here, Christ the King, just an incredible career she’s had here.”
Taurasi was also impressed by how Vukosa handles herself both on and off the court.
Read More:
Aliyah Boston Singles Out One Gamecock as Star Performer as Dawn Staley’s Team Reaches Final Four
Madison Booker Draws Kevin Durant Comparison After Impressive Display vs Michigan in Elite Eight
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in baseball, tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
