T’is the season as college basketball fans across the country cast their bid on who they believe can nab the Freshman of the Year award. Many believe that the award ceremony is a mere formality in the grand scheme of things. Sarah Strong has emerged as a favorite for many. As UConn Huskies quashed the Butler Bulldogs yesterday, Strong’s claim to fame only strengthened.

The 19-year-old breezed through to support star player Paige Bueckers by scoring 11 points along with 5 rebounds. The freshman guard also contributed to her side’s 11th consecutive win by blocking four shots and adding two assists to her total tally. And it wasn’t just a one-off; the talented guard has averaged a respectable figure of 17.3 points per game this season!

Despite these numbers, Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, disagrees. The 2024 Athletic Coach of the Year had her own pick for the award and reiterated that “it’s not a one-woman race for national freshman of the year.”

Staley had her star player’s back as she set out to change the narrative bubbling in popular media. Staley cast Joyce Edwards’ name into the National Freshman of the Year race, emphasizing how important the forward has been to the Gamecocks’ season so far. Having been named Gatorade South Carolina Player of the Year in both her junior and senior year at high school, Edwards came up to the college set-up with an obvious chip on her shoulder.

The talented 19-year-old has averaged 18 PPG and 5 RPG this season, exuding an aura of reliability and confidence on the court that remains unrivaled. But does that make her the rightful winner of the National Freshman of the Year award?

Who Really Deserves The Crown?

 Many see Staley’s comments as her backing her emerging superstar in a debate where she wasn’t initially a focal point. However, we believe that this debate has given rise to a platform where we can discuss the criteria based on which these young stars compete. Does individual brilliance trump seamless versatility in a stacked side? 

Edwards has been nothing short of incredible for the Gamecocks. Her recent 18-point performance against the Auburn Tigers only underscores her impact on her team as they stand atop the Southeastern Conference with a dominant 18-1 record.

On the other hand, Strong has surely shown why she deserves to play with the best, but her numbers don’t match Edwards’—not necessarily due to individual skill alone. Strong, in comparison, plays in a stacked team with a team-first approach. Her teammate, Paige Bueckers (19 PPG), contributed as much as, if not more than Strong on a game-to-game basis.

Rumors suggest that Sarah’s teammate, Paige Bueckers, will be the number 1 WNBA draft pick this April. Daley and many fans argue that league success should weigh heavily in Freshman of the Year considerations. However, Strong’s presence and performances, despite the constant threat of being overshadowed, are accolades that mustn’t go unnoticed. 

Edwards and her seamless excellence in college basketball deserve all the recognition. However, Strong has managed to pave her own way this season as an NCAA rookie. Staley may have overlooked Strong, but fans and analysts continue to celebrate her as one of the most electrifying freshmen in recent history—and a frontrunner for the award.