Syracuse finalizes 2025-26 roster with Nigerian center Izoje Uche
Nigerian center Izoje Uche brings much-needed frontcourt depth to Syracuse after Izabel Varejão and Kyra Wood graduated. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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Syracuse women’s basketball has finalized its 2025-26 roster by adding Nigerian center Izoje Uche, it announced on social media Friday. The 6-foot-3 center is originally from Nigeria but played in Japan for the past two years.
“We are thrilled that we were able to get Izoje Uche to be a part of our Orange family! Get ready for a high-flying athlete that runs the floor, catches the ball at the rim and might just dunk!” SU head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said in a press release.
For the last two years, Uche starred for the Chanson V-Magic in the Women’s Japan Basketball League. She racked up numerous accolades, including being named a two-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year. She also finished second in the league in points (14.4) and rebounds (9.9) per game and first in blocks on average (1.7) last season.
Uche’s addition gives the Orange a much-needed boost in frontcourt depth. Both starting center Izabel Varejão and forward Kyra Wood graduated, leaving Auburn transfer Oyindamola Akinbolawa as the only center on the roster. Uche will look to help SU improve from a subpar 2024-25 season that ended with an ACC Tournament First-Round loss to Boston College.
