Syracuse women's basketball star and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year Uche Izoje represented Team Nigeria in an exhibition game against the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday. The 6'3' forward represented her home country with an impressive performance, despite her squad losing to the Sparks 89-63. 

Izojoe was second on Team Nigeria in scoring with 10 points, also pulling down five rebounds. The test against pro competition will continue for Izoje as her team is scheduled to take on another WNBA team, the Minnesota Lynx, on Monday.

Izoje was named the ACC's Rookie of the Year after averaging 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Izoje led Syracuse in points, rebounds and blocks and helped the Orange qualify for the NCAA tournament. They earned at No. 9 seed and defeated Iowa State in the first round before losing to UConn.

In March, Izoje shared this message to social media after the loss to UConn:

We took a tough loss to UConn and I’m not gonna lie, it hurts. Seeing that score and hearing everything people have to say isn’t easy. Coming all the way from Japan to the states to play basketball was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made even though it wasn’t easy, I didn’t reach all my goals this season, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I know some people will see this and laugh and that’s fine. Let them. We didn’t come out the way we should have. We could’ve been more aggressive and more confident and we take accountability for that. But one game doesn’t define us. People always talk and focus on the negative, but we’re not letting that shake us. We know who we are. This is sports you win you lose and you learn and we’re gonna learn from this game and get better. Maybe this wasn’t our time but I know our time is coming. Pain is temporary but the growth from it lasts.

The pain? It's a part of the process. The same people who doubt you now will be the same ones watching you rise later. Stay locked in, stay true to yourself, and keep going because what’s meant for you will never miss you. 

Later in March, Syracuse announced Izoje would be returning to Central New York for her sophomore season In a statement released by the school, Izoje said

"I have the best teammates and I truly see them as my sisters, 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."

Syracuse will lose senior contributors, including Journey Thompson, Dominique Darius, Laila Phelia and Oyindamola Akinbolawa. All four players saw significant action for the Orange during the 25-26 season. Furthermore, Sophie Burrows has left via the transfer portal.

The Orange added Sarah Rambus, formerly of Oregon, from the transfer portal as well. Along with the Izoje, the 6'3' Rambus could provide Syracuse with one of the better duos in the ACC. 

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