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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Oklahoma Signs Irish Standout Emma Tolan
June 10, 2025 | Women's Basketball
NORMAN – University of Oklahoma head women's basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk announced the signing of Emma Tolan, a product of Virginia, Ireland, to a financial aid agreement on Tuesday.
Tolan, a 5-11, 19-year-old forward, is expected to join the Sooners for the upcoming season with multiple years of eligibility remaining. Last season for Virginia College, an Irish secondary school, she averaged 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
"We're so excited to welcome Emma to our basketball family," Baranczyk said. "She's a tough, versatile forward who plays with great heart and makes everyone around her better. Emma brings a ton of experience and a contagious energy that fits perfectly with who we are. We can't wait to get her here."
Last year, Tolan was named MVP of the Four Nations Tournament while leading the Irish U18 national team, and also represented Ireland at the 2024 U18 European Championships, where she averaged 10.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. At the club level, she helped the Cavan Eagles win the 2025 Division I National Cup and earn promotion to Ireland's Super League, claiming MVP honors in the playoff final.
At Virginia College, she led the program to the 2024 U19 All-Ireland Schools League title and was named MVP of the 2023 All-Ireland Schools Cup. In 2022, she played for Virginia's U19 team at the ISF World Schools Basketball Championship despite being just 17 years old.
Tolan has made 43 appearances for Ireland Basketball, competing in the European Championships and the past two Four Nations Tournaments.
She becomes the first Irish player in Oklahoma women's basketball history and the program's first international signee since Chloe Bloom (Australia) in 2020. Tolan is just the third Sooner to hail from Europe, joining Zuzana Krumlova (Czechia, 1998-99) and Jelena Cerina (Serbia, 2011-12).
A two-sport athlete, Tolan also played for the U18 Cavan Gaelic Football team that captured its first-ever All-Ireland title. Gaelic football is a traditional Irish sport that blends elements of soccer and rugby.
Tolan joins a loaded Oklahoma roster that features four McDonald's All-Americans: All-SEC picks Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst, former five-star Sahara Williams, and Aaliyah Chavez, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class per multiple outlets. The Sooners, coming off their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013, were ranked No. 7 in ESPN's early Top 25 for the 2025-26 season.
Season tickets are on sale now and start at just $99 for general admission.
Stay connected with Oklahoma Women's Basketball by following the Sooners on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Want to make an impact? Join the 3-Point Club and help power the program's continued success.
Tolan, a 5-11, 19-year-old forward, is expected to join the Sooners for the upcoming season with multiple years of eligibility remaining. Last season for Virginia College, an Irish secondary school, she averaged 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
"We're so excited to welcome Emma to our basketball family," Baranczyk said. "She's a tough, versatile forward who plays with great heart and makes everyone around her better. Emma brings a ton of experience and a contagious energy that fits perfectly with who we are. We can't wait to get her here."
Last year, Tolan was named MVP of the Four Nations Tournament while leading the Irish U18 national team, and also represented Ireland at the 2024 U18 European Championships, where she averaged 10.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. At the club level, she helped the Cavan Eagles win the 2025 Division I National Cup and earn promotion to Ireland's Super League, claiming MVP honors in the playoff final.
At Virginia College, she led the program to the 2024 U19 All-Ireland Schools League title and was named MVP of the 2023 All-Ireland Schools Cup. In 2022, she played for Virginia's U19 team at the ISF World Schools Basketball Championship despite being just 17 years old.
Tolan has made 43 appearances for Ireland Basketball, competing in the European Championships and the past two Four Nations Tournaments.
She becomes the first Irish player in Oklahoma women's basketball history and the program's first international signee since Chloe Bloom (Australia) in 2020. Tolan is just the third Sooner to hail from Europe, joining Zuzana Krumlova (Czechia, 1998-99) and Jelena Cerina (Serbia, 2011-12).
A two-sport athlete, Tolan also played for the U18 Cavan Gaelic Football team that captured its first-ever All-Ireland title. Gaelic football is a traditional Irish sport that blends elements of soccer and rugby.
Tolan joins a loaded Oklahoma roster that features four McDonald's All-Americans: All-SEC picks Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst, former five-star Sahara Williams, and Aaliyah Chavez, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class per multiple outlets. The Sooners, coming off their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013, were ranked No. 7 in ESPN's early Top 25 for the 2025-26 season.
Season tickets are on sale now and start at just $99 for general admission.
Stay connected with Oklahoma Women's Basketball by following the Sooners on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Want to make an impact? Join the 3-Point Club and help power the program's continued success.
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