Dasha Biriuk commits to Ohio State women’s basketball two years after fleeing Ukraine

Posted by Admin September 20, 2024 Basketball

Webb School – Bell Buckle guard Dasha Biriuk committed to Ohio State women’s basketball on Friday, she announced on live on Instagram, picking up a Buckeyes hat over finalists Vanderbilt and Mississippi State during a ceremony in Webb’s gymnasium.

Biriuk, a 6-foot-1 senior, is the No. 73 ranked player in ESPN’s 2025 Hoop Gurlz rankings and a Tennessean first-team Large Class All-Midstate selection during the 2023-24 season.

She averaged 17.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals last season, becoming a Division II-AA Miss Basketball finalist while leading the Lady Feet to the TSSAA basketball state tournament semifinals.

Biriuk is from Ukraine. Her family fled in 2022 after the Russian invasion, moving to Tennessee to join Webb later that year. They gained sponsorship through the Uniting for Ukraine program, a federal pathway to the U.S. for Ukrainian citizens.

“I still can’t believe I’m committed,” Biriuk said. “It seemed so far away from when I just started playing AAU (in America). I didn’t expect myself to play college at that level. When coaches started talking to me, I really thought maybe I’d get some small offers. Not a lot of people get that opportunity. I’m so excited.”

Biriuk said her mom, Iryna, became emotional when Biriuk committed to Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff during a visit to Columbus two weeks ago. Iryna is a former Ukranian professional basketball player, who gave up her coaching career to bring daughters Dasha and Maria to the US. Dasha’s mom and sister will accompany her to Columbus.

More: How Dasha Biriuk’s family escaped war in Ukraine and found haven with Webb School girls basketball

There are several Middle Tennessee connections within Ohio State’s program.

The team includes former TSSAA basketball stars Jaloni and Kennedy Cambridge, the sister duo that was part of three state championship teams at Ensworth. Jaloni, an Ohio State freshman, was ESPN’s No. 2 overall 2024 recruit, finishing her high school career at Montverde Academy (Florida). Kennedy, a sophomore, played her freshman year at Kentucky.

Biriuk didn’t know the Cambridges well because Webb played in Division II-A, one classification lower than Ensworth, until 2023. They’ve all gotten to know each other during Biriuk’s recruitment.

TSSAA basketball: Dasha Biriuk talks about move to Tennessee from Ukraine

Dasha Biriuk has lived in Tennessee for over a year after her family fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Webb coach Brody Curry said Ohio State’s coaches told him they specifically were looking for shooters who could capitalize on Jaloni Cambridge’s ability to break down defenses. Biriuk shot 50% from the field and 41% from 3-point range last season.

“(McGuff) obviously told me a lot about (Jaloni),” Biriuk said. “I went to one of their practices and saw her play. She sees the court really well. She creates so many looks. It will be great.”

McGuff’s son, Lukas, and daughter, Keiryn, attended Webb briefly before resuming their high school careers in Ohio. Keiryn helped Webb win the DII-A state title in 2022.

“The coaches were really genuine,” Biriuk said. “They weren’t trying (overly) hard for me to like them, it was genuine. Last year, I watched their game against Duke and the gym was packed. I felt like I would love to play in that arena.”

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.