The Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team will be entering the 2026-27 season with reigning ACC Rookie of the Year Uche Izoje back on the court, and the promising young center is already garnering national recognition heading into the new season.
ESPN recently released its preview for the upcoming women’s basketball campaign, which is now less than 100 days away. In the piece, ESPN unveiled a list of 10 players with “breakout potential,” and Izoje was one of the names mentioned.
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Izoje and TCU center Clara Silva were the only two centers named on the breakout candidates list. She was also one of only two ACC players with this recognition, the other being Duke guard Riley Nelson.
Besides Izoje, the rest of the list includes Silva, Nelson, UCLA forward Sienna Betts, Kansas forward Jaliya Davis, Michigan guard Te’Yala Delfosse, LSU guard ZaKiyah Johnson, Washington forward Brynn McGaughy, Texas guard Bryanna Preston, and UConn forward Blanca Quiñonez.
“Much like Kansas’ Davis, you could say that Izoje already “broke out” with such a great first season… However, we could see even more national acclaim this season for the 6-3 center from Nigeria,” ESPN wrote.
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In her first year with the Orange, Izoje shined across the board. In 33 games (all as a starter), she finished the year averaging 15.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and an ACC-high 2.6 blocks per game in 28 minutes a contest.
She also broke team records for both total points and rebounds as a freshman.
STORRS, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 21: Uche Izoje #44 of the Syracuse Orange shoots against Audi Crooks #55 of the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on March 21, 2026 in Storrs, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Besides becoming just the second Syracuse player ever to win conference Rookie of the Year (joining Kamilla Cardoso in 2021), Izoje earned a spot on the All-ACC first team. Izoje was also named a WBCA All-America honorable mention, one of nine players in program history to get that recognition.
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Izoje will look to take that leap her sophomore year and help coach Felisha Legette-Jack and the Orange build off a 24-9 overall record and an NCAA Tournament Second Round finish in the 2025-26 season.
