She's Back! Izoje to Return for Sophomore Season at Syracuse
3/27/2026 3:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Syracuse women's basketball center Uche Izoje is committed to return to the program for the 2026-27 season, the program announced Friday.
Izoje, who captured ACC Rookie of the Year honors following a standout debut season, chose to remain with the Orange after evaluating her options following the conclusion of Syracuse's 24-9 campaign. Her decision to return underscores a deep commitment to the program she joined just one year ago and a desire to continue developing under Syracuse Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack's guidance.
"Uche is the foundation of our program," Legette-Jack said. "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 proved to be one of the most dominant freshmen in the country in 2025-26, leading the Orange in points, rebounds, and blocks while starting in all 33 games. She averaged 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field — a mark that ranked among the ACC's best. Her 85 blocked shots were a testament to her dominance on the interior, and her 514 total points led all Syracuse players.
"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."
The ACC honored Izoje eight times as ACC Rookie of the Week throughout the season, a reflection of the consistency and determination she brought night in and night out. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor made her one of the conference's most difficult matchups and a cornerstone of Syracuse's success.
Izoje's return gives the Orange a proven, elite interior presence heading into next season, with a roster that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament following a victory over Iowa State on March 21.
Izoje's return comes on the heels of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the ACC this season. Picked 13th in the conference's preseason poll, Syracuse defied expectations at every turn, doubling its win totals both overall and in league play from a year ago en route to a 24-9 record and a 12-6 mark in the ACC. The Orange also claimed their first ACC Tournament victory of the Legette-Jack era with a second-round win over California, capping a season that firmly established Syracuse as one of the conference's most improved programs.
With so much excitement surrounding the future of the Syracuse women's basketball team, season tickets for the 2026-27 season are selling fast. To purchase, visit cuse.com/basketballtickets.
For more on Syracuse women's basketball, follow @CuseWBB on social media.
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Izoje, who captured ACC Rookie of the Year honors following a standout debut season, chose to remain with the Orange after evaluating her options following the conclusion of Syracuse's 24-9 campaign. Her decision to return underscores a deep commitment to the program she joined just one year ago and a desire to continue developing under Syracuse Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack's guidance.
"Uche is the foundation of our program," Legette-Jack said. "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 proved to be one of the most dominant freshmen in the country in 2025-26, leading the Orange in points, rebounds, and blocks while starting in all 33 games. She averaged 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field — a mark that ranked among the ACC's best. Her 85 blocked shots were a testament to her dominance on the interior, and her 514 total points led all Syracuse players.
"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."
The ACC honored Izoje eight times as ACC Rookie of the Week throughout the season, a reflection of the consistency and determination she brought night in and night out. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor made her one of the conference's most difficult matchups and a cornerstone of Syracuse's success.
Izoje's return gives the Orange a proven, elite interior presence heading into next season, with a roster that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament following a victory over Iowa State on March 21.
Izoje's return comes on the heels of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the ACC this season. Picked 13th in the conference's preseason poll, Syracuse defied expectations at every turn, doubling its win totals both overall and in league play from a year ago en route to a 24-9 record and a 12-6 mark in the ACC. The Orange also claimed their first ACC Tournament victory of the Legette-Jack era with a second-round win over California, capping a season that firmly established Syracuse as one of the conference's most improved programs.
With so much excitement surrounding the future of the Syracuse women's basketball team, season tickets for the 2026-27 season are selling fast. To purchase, visit cuse.com/basketballtickets.
For more on Syracuse women's basketball, follow @CuseWBB on social media.
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