Olivia Vukosa, the highly sought-after 2026 recruit and ranked as the No. 3 prospect in her class, has officially committed to the University of Connecticut, opting for the Huskies over notable programs, including South Carolina. The announcement came on October 21, following her official visit to UConn just days prior.
Vukosa, a 6-foot-4 center, reportedly did not make an official visit to South Carolina, which had been one of her final contenders along with LSU, Texas, and Ohio State. Interestingly, she did not share any images from a visit to the Gamecocks on her social media, indicating that her interest may not have been as strong there.
This commitment is a significant asset for UConn, especially following South Carolina’s defeats to the Huskies last season, including in the national championship. Coach Dawn Staley’s team had previously demonstrated great strength in recruiting, having consistently secured top rankings. Staley has one commitment for the 2026 class so far, with five-star center Kelsi Andrews, who ranks No. 18 according to ESPN and also recently announced her decision to join the Gamecocks.
Staley’s history in recruiting is impressive, featuring four instances where her classes have been ranked either first or second in the nation. This includes a recent No. 2 ranking for the 2024 class, affirming her reputation for nurturing top talent. With 18 players drafted into the WNBA under her guidance, including two who were selected first overall, Staley has built a robust program at South Carolina, despite this recent setback in recruiting for the 2026 class.
Olivia Vukosa, who currently plays for Christ the King High School in New York, is joining a tradition of excellence at UConn, following in the footsteps of storied athletes like Sue Bird and Tina Charles, both of whom hail from the same school. As recruiting battles heat up, it will be intriguing to see how Staley adjusts her strategies moving forward.