Breaking: No. 3 2026 star Olivia Vukosa commits to UConn, giving Huskies a game-changing 6'4″ center

UConn has secured another blockbuster piece for its future frontcourt. Five-star center Olivia Vukosa, the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2026 class, announced her commitment to Geno Auriemma’s program on Tuesday evening, giving the Huskies their first pledge of the cycle and solidifying their status as early recruiting winners. Standing 6-foot-4 with a 6-6 wingspan, Vukosa blends traditional post size with modern versatility. The Christ the King (Queens, N.Y.) standout averaged 19.2 points, 17.9 rebounds and 5.5 blocks as a sophomore, performances that earned her both Gatorade and MaxPreps New York Player of the Year honors. Recruiting analysts praise her soft hands, ability to initiate offense from the high post and a developing three-point stroke—traits that slot seamlessly into Auriemma’s spacing-heavy attack. Why UConn Won the Race • Long-term courtship: Vukosa first visited Storrs as an eighth-grader and returned for multiple unofficials before her official visit earlier this month. • Development pipeline: Christ the King has produced Husky greats Sue Bird, Tina Charles and Chamique Holdsclaw, a lineage Vukosa cited in narrowing her final list. • Loaded supporting cast: When she arrives on campus, the Huskies are projected to feature fellow elite forwards Sarah Strong, Ice Brady and Jana El Alfy, setting the stage for one of the deepest frontcourts in the nation. Scouting Snapshot • Rim protection: Elite timing allows her to alter shots without fouling. • Floor vision: Comfortable hitting back-door cutters and skipping passes to shooters. • Growth areas: Finishing through contact and refining footwork on the low block, both coachable skills that typically flourish in UConn’s system. Impact on the 2026 Recruiting Landscape UConn now has two scholarships left for the class and remains a finalist for top-10 wings Jerzy Robinson and Addison Bjorn, as well as Spanish forward Sara Okeke. Landing Vukosa early provides momentum and frees the staff to target complementary perimeter scorers. What’s Next for Vukosa Before heading to Storrs, “The Big O” will chase a second straight New York Catholic League title and is expected to rejoin Croatia’s youth national team next summer. Her commitment also positions her as a marquee name for future NIL opportunities, a space where UConn’s women’s program has thrived since Paige Bueckers blazed the trail. Bottom Line Olivia Vukosa’s pledge combines talent, pedigree and perfect roster fit, reinforcing UConn’s blueprint of pairing elite guard play with dominant interior anchors. If her high-school dominance translates, the Huskies may have found their next great center—and another cornerstone for a run at title No. 13.