Syracuse women's basketball sophomore center Uche Izoje, who had a historic freshman season for the Orange, has landed on preseason watch lists for two national awards ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The 6-foot-3 Izoje, who hails from Asaba, Nigeria, is one of 50 players on the preseason watch list for the 2026-27 Naismith Trophy national player of the year honor. Izoje is one of 11 players from the Atlantic Coast Conference who are on the Naismith Trophy preseason watch list.
Separately, Izoje is one of 20 players on the preseason watch list for this season's Lisa Leslie Award, which is given out every year to the top center in Division I women's college hoops. Four ACC players, including Izoje, are on the preseason watch list for the 2026-27 Lisa Leslie Award.
Earlier this month, Izoje was named to the preseason All-ACC team.
Uche Izoje and Syracuse women's basketball are eyeing a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Last season, the Orange went 24-9 overall and advanced to the second round of the 2026 Big Dance. Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack and her staff retained Izoje and several other players, while adding to their 2026-27 roster through the transfer portal, international markets and the 2026 high school ranks.
In 2025-26, Izoje averaged 15.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.6 blocks per contest. She was named the ACC rookie of the year. Izoje was also on the All-ACC first team, the league's All-Defensive squad and the conference's All-Freshman team.
In the ACC's preseason poll ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, the 'Cuse is projected to finish at No. 7 in the conference standings. The Orange will open its season on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 6:00 pm EST against non-conference foe Sacred Heart at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Earlier this week, ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme unveiled his latest mock field for the 2027 NCAA Tournament. This season's March Madness will include 76 participants in both the women's and men's tournaments.
Creme projects Syracuse women's basketball as a No. 11 seed in Region 3, with the Orange playing No. 11 seed BYU. The winner of that opening-round game would move on to battle No. 6 seed Minnesota.
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