Olivia Vukosa of New York is in the running for Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
UConn 2026 signee Olivia Vukosa is a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.
The honor follows her second consecutive selection as the New York Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year. This is her first time as one of three finalists for the national award.
She committed to UConn last fall over finalists that included Texas, South Carolina, LSU and Ohio State.
The 6-foot-5 Vukosa recently completed her senior season at Christ the King High School in Middle Village and led the team to the Catholic High School Athletic Association state championship game. She averaged 17.8 points, 18.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.4 blocks on the 2025-26 season.
Huskies greats Sue Bird and Tina Charles also attended Christ the King.
When she chose UConn last October, this is what Vukosa had to say:
“It allows my family to come support me easily, no matter the game or time,” she told ESPN of UConn’s location. “Ultimately, what sealed my decision was how I felt around the team. During my visit, the players welcomed me like I was already part of the family, and that sense of belonging made UConn truly feel like home."
A five-star prospect, Vukosa is ranked by the 247Sports composite as the top center in the nation and the No. 4 overall player. She also is a McDonald’s All American and part of the Under-20 Women’s National Team in Croatia. She is a finalist for the Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year
“Olivia Vukosa does it all for CTK,” said Josh Suslak, head coach of opponent St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School on New York’s Staten Island.
“There are no holes in her game. Her size and IQ are constantly making it difficult for just about any opponent to score at the basket. She’s also an elite passer, sees the court well and can score at every level.”
She is joined as a finalist for the national Gatorade award by the top two players in the Class of 2027, as ranked by the 247Sports composite. They are No. 1 Kaleena Smith, a point guard from Ontario Christian High School in Southern California, and No. 2 Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka, a forward from The Bullis School in Potomac, Md.
Neither player has committed to a college.
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