Syracuse center Uche Izoje earns 2nd straight ACC Rookie of the Week honor
Syracuse center Uche Izoje earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors for the second straight week Monday. Eli Schwartz | Staff Photographer
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Syracuse center Uche Izoje took home Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week honors for the second straight week, the conference announced Monday. Izoje averaged a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 6.5 blocks in SU’s wins over Auburn and SMU.
Since joining the Orange, Izoje’s been nearly unstoppable. After a two-year stint in the Women’s Japan Basketball League, she’s quickly solidified her role as SU’s starting center — the only freshman in the starting lineup.
Izoje started the week playing a career-high 39 minutes in SU’s 66-60 overtime victory against Auburn. She recorded her second double-double of the season with 16 points on 58.3% shooting and 13 rebounds while also adding five blocks. When the Orange looked for production down low in overtime, Izoje stepped up, tallying two points, three rebounds and a block in the extra period.
Then, on Sunday, Izoje continued her dominance, racking up eight blocks, seven rebounds and four points. Five of Izoje’s blocks came in the first quarter, propelling the Orange to a 25-9 advantage they never relinquished.
On the season, Izoje ranks third on SU with 11.9 points per game and first with 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks. The Nigerian has been a key contributor in Syracuse’s 8-1 start, its best since the 2023-24 season.
