New Headline: Sophomore Stars Sara Okeke Sets Up for MVP Year in Trojan Basketball
Following the Women of Troy adding another five-star to their 2026 recruiting class, a former USC player gave some insight into her play
On Tuesday, USC women’s basketball picked up a commitment from five-star Sara Okeke. Okeke is the Trojans’ third five-star commit in what is shaping up to be a loaded 2026 recruiting class. So what can USC fans expect from Okeke?
Following the news, former USC women’s basketball player India Otto, who now covers the Trojans for 247Sports, broke down USC’s newest commit . “She brings a unique combination of length, instincts and agility, making her a strong presence in the paint,” Otto wrote. “Okeke has shown the ability to finish effectively with both hands, adding to her versatility as a forward.
Her skill set and physical tools have drawn comparisons to WNBA MVP and Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike, a player Trojan fans should be familiar with from her days at Stanford. “While USC has dealt with a lack of size, depth, and experience in the frontcourt this season following the departures of Kiki Iriafen, Rayah Marshall, and Clarice Akunwafo, the addition of Okeke marks a significant step in the right direction. With her size and skill set, she has a real opportunity to make an immediate impact in the post and help solidify the Trojans' frontcourt moving forward.
” If Otto’s evaluation is correct, USC fans have a lot to be excited about with Okeke. With the way that head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has been recruiting, the future of the program looks incredibly bright. As for Otto herself, six years ago, I actually sat next to her in a journalism class when we were both freshmen at USC.