Lady Vols basketball has added another piece to its 2026 recruiting class. While holding onto the signing of four-star guard Gabby Minus, five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards requested a release, which was granted. Now, Kim Caldwell and company have brought in Irene Oboavwoduo from Manchester, United Kingdom.
Oboavwoduo recently visited Knoxville along with the likes of Purdue and Cincinnati. This is her second time being recruited, though. Oboavwoduo was previously signed to Boston College, but was released following the parting of ways with head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee.
“Irene is a long, versatile wing with a natural feel for the game,” Bernabei-McNamee said about Oboavwoduo at the time of her signing. “She plays with a maturity beyond her years, has a smooth mid-range game, and is a relentless rebounder. Her instincts, pace, and unselfishness make her a great fit for our system. We’re thrilled to welcome Irene to The Heights. She embodies the drive and integrity we value at Boston College.”
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Oboavwoduo comes from Manchester Basketball in the Super League under head coach Oli Parr. She was also named to the Great Britain Senior Women’s National Team for the EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers this past November.
In EuroBasket 2024, Oboavwoduo represented Great Britain in the U18 division. In the event, the team placed in sixth place. She also captained the U16 National Team at the 2024 U16 EuroBasket in Turkey, earning a bronze medal. She led all players in single-game scoring with 31 points and finished fourth among overall player leaders.
Oboavwoduo joins a team of all newcomers at Tennessee. The Lady Vols return no players from last year’s roster, after eight players hit the portal and have already committed elsewhere. She joins Minus as freshmen and five transfer signees to this point.
