Syracuse center Uche Izoje wins 3rd ACC Rookie of the Week honor of season
Syracuse women’s basketball center Uche Izoje earned her third ACC Rookie of the Week award of the season Monday. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
Support The Daily Orange this holiday season! The money raised between now and the end of the year will go directly toward aiding our students. Donate today.
Syracuse women’s basketball center Uche Izoje has earned her third Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week honor, the conference announced Monday. The recognition follows Izoje tallying a career-high 23 points along with 11 rebounds and three blocks in the Orange’s 106-40 demolition of Mercyhurst Friday. It was her fourth double-double of the season.
The Nigerian previously won the award two straight weeks on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. She leads SU with 13.2 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per contest and 2.9 blocks per game. Her blocking tally also leads the ACC.
This past week, Izoje helped Syracuse conclude their nonconference slate with an 11-1 record in lopsided victories over Binghamton Wednesday and Mercyhurst Friday. It’s SU’s best start to a season since 2023-24.
Against the Bearcats, Izoje totaled 12 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in the Orange’s 18-point triumph. Then, she set her career-high against the Lakers in a dominant display on 83.3% shooting.
“I know I got a career-high 23 points this time, but I’m not there yet,” Izoje said following the Mercyhurst win. “I want more. I’m looking forward to the big games coming up.”
With Syracuse’s focus solely shifting to conference play, beginning versus Duke Sunday, Izoje’s presence down low could key the Orange to improve on their 13th-place regular season finish in 2024-25 and return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last year.
