First-year Arizona womenโs basketball coach Becky Burke had a busy day Friday, securing commitments from three players as she continues to build the Wildcatsโ roster.
One of the players is a transfer, guard Sumayah Sugapong from UC San Diego. The other two are high school seniors who had signed with other schools: forward Ogheneruona Miracle and guard Molly Ladwig.
UC San Diegoโs Sumayah Sugapong is hoisted by teammates after defeating UC Davis in the championship of the Big West Conference Tournament on March 15, 2025, in Henderson, Nev.
Sugapong spent her first two seasons at UCSD, where she was named Big West Freshman of the Year in 2023-24 and All-Big West First Team in โ24-25.
Listed at 5-foot-7, Sugapong averaged 14.4 points for the Tritons. Last year she posted career-high per-game averages in points (14.8), rebounds (4.2), assists (3.7) and steals (2.5). She also made a career-best 76.5% of her foul shots.
Sugapong has two more years of eligibility. On3โs Talia Goodman first reported Sugapongโs commitment.
Ogheneruona Miracle is a 6-3 post player.
Miracle is a 6-3 post player who signed with Auburn in the fall. She announced her decommitment on April 20. Auburn changed coaches last month, hiring Larry Vickers to replace Johnnie Harris.
Miracle is from Nigeria and attends W.T. White High School in Dallas. She was known as Miracle Akpotayobo when she signed with Auburn in November.
โMiracle is a tough, physical post player who is a mismatch nightmare,โ Harris said when Miracle signed with Auburn. โShe can play inside and out.โ
Ladwig had been committed to Burke at Buffalo, signing with the Bulls in November. A 5-9 guard, Ladwig helped Skutt Catholic High School of Omaha, Nebraska, win its first state championship after three straight runner-up finishes.
Ladwig scored 50 points on Jan. 31 vs. Omaha Central en route to earning first-team all-state accolades for the second straight season. She is Skutt Catholicโs all-time leader in scoring and assists.
โMolly is the ultimate floor general and competitor,โ Burke said of Ladwig when she signed with Buffalo. โShe is someone you want leading your team and in your huddles and locker room. Molly wants to win and has the skill set to stand out on her own, but also make everyone around her better. She will score in bunches and make winning plays for our team on both ends of the floor.โ
The additions of Sugapong, Miracle and Ladwig give Arizona 10 players: seven transfers, two high school recruits and returnee Montaya Dew. The Wildcats are likely to add at least two more players.
