Sarah Strong had one of the best freshman seasons anyone could ever wish to have. After becoming the only North Carolinian ever to be honored as Naismith High School Player of the Year, she dominated in her debut NCAA season. And now, just days before the 2025–26 season tip-off, UConn has made a big announcement involving its rising star forward.

Recently, the UConn Women’s Basketball program took to X, where they posted a picture of Strong and captioned it with, “Sarah Strong is on the Katrina McClain Award watch list! The award goes to the nation’s top power forward.”

The Katrina McClain Award, named after the two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time All-American, 1987 National Player of the Year, and a Hall of Famer,  is given every year to the best power forward in women’s college basketball. This season, Baylor’s Darianna Littlepage-Buggs is the only player returning from last year’s list of finalists. NC State’s Khamil Pierre also made the preseason watchlist after a strong year at Vanderbilt, where she was a Cheryl Miller finalist. The list also features Fairfield’s junior Meghan Andersen and Maryland’s Mir McLean.

UConn’s Napheesa Collier is the only Husky ever to win the Katrina McClain Award, taking it home in 2019. And Oregon’s Ruthy Hebard is still the only sophomore to have ever won it, back in 2018. So, yes, Strong could be adding her to WBB’s history book if she wins.

Last season, Strong didn’t just become another college basketball player; she became one of the best. The National Freshman of the Year set an NCAA Tournament record for the most points ever scored by a freshman, dropping an incredible 114. Over the year, she averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, leading the Huskies in rebounds (356), steals (92), and blocks (66), field goal percentage (.586), and double-doubles (12), and then ultimately helped the team secure their much-deserved 12th championship title.

On her way to the championship, she shattered the NCAA Tournament record for most points scored by a freshman, a mark once held by Tennessee legend Tamika Catchings. The standout forward collected several honors along the way, including WBCA All-American, USBWA Third-Team All-American, and the WBCA Freshman of the Year for the 2024–25 season.

She also etched her name into UConn’s record books, setting a new freshman record for rebounds and becoming the first rookie since Hall of Famer Maya Moore to top 600 points in a season. And now, Strong enters her sophomore season as a frontrunner in the national player of the year conversation.

With the new season just around the corner, Sarah Strong will look to live up to the sky-high expectations she set last year. And with her name on two major watch lists, her performances carry even more weight as the Huskies set their sights on another championship run.

Sarah Strong has renewed confidence

With Paige Bueckers now playing in the WNBA, UConn is entering a new chapter, one that is led by Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong. If the Huskies plan to win another title, they will have to rely on Azzi Fudd’s experience and Sarah Strong’s remarkable scoring and defensive abilities. The sophomore forward has already shown she can rise to the moment, and now she will be expected to be a vocal leader on and off the court.

Heading into a new year with her head held high, Sarah Strong recently opened up about how a single year of experience has changed her approach to the game. Speaking to CT Insider, the 6-foot and 2-inches star said, “I feel like just having a year under my belt, I just feel a little more confident in all aspects of the court. I know what to expect. I’ve been here before. I’ve played with some of the people on the team, so I know what it takes, and I’m more confident.”

As a new era at UConn begins, all eyes will be on Sarah Strong to carry the torch. But does she have what it takes to be a leader? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
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