Center Uche Izoje considered her options and decided to return to Orange for her senior season.
After a stellar freshman season, Syracuse center Uche Izoje undoubtedly could have written her ticket to another program.
She has chosen to return to Syracuse in 2026-27 for her sophomore year.
The university announced Friday that Izoje looked at her options and decided to stay with the Orange.
"Uche is the foundation of our program," head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said in a news release. "She will bring others here because she is here! Uche re-committing to Syracuse University and to me shows that what we are building is amazing. I will work very hard, along with my staff, our administration, donors, and friends to bring the best student athletes in the world to play alongside this incredible young lady. I am one blessed coach to have Uche Izoje on our team. We fight on together!"
Izoje earned a trio of Atlantic Coast Conference honors: Rookie of the Year, first-team All-ACC and All-ACC Defensive Team. Syracuse finished the season with a 24-9 (12-6 ACC) record, a marked improvement from the 2024-25 season (12-18, 6-12).
Izoje led the Orange in points (15.6) and rebounds (9.2) per game. In 33 games (all starts), she shot 55.4% from the field and blocked 85 shots.
A successful season
In the conference preseason poll, Syracuse was pegged for a 13th-place finish but instead advanced to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed. The Orange won their first game in the over Iowa State, then lost to No. 1 overall seed UConn.
Much of the credit goes to Izoje, who in turn, credited her teammates and coaches for her success.
"I have the best teammates and I truly see them as my sisters," Izoje said. "Our coaching staff, especially Coach Jack, has been amazing and I know they will prepare me for the next level. I am grateful for this team, and I wouldn't want to go through this with anyone else.
“As for me, I am coming back stronger, more aggressive, and more confident. And as a team, we are going to rise together."
Legette-Jack is right. Having Izoje committed to the program only will help in recruiting. She is exactly the kind of player whom others will want to team up with.
Syracuse will have some roster openings next season, certainly. The Orange are losing seniors Journey Thompson, Laila Phelia, Dominique Darius and Oyindamola Akinbolawa.
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