Sarah Strong of UConn received the Naismith Trophy on Wednesday, honored as the most outstanding player in women’s college basketball.

A sophomore forward, Strong became the 11th woman to win a Naismith Trophy in both high school (2024) and in college.

Strong was presented with the trophy at a ceremony in Phoenix, where the Huskies arrived Monday in preparation for their national semifinal game on Friday against South Carolina. Both were awarded No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, with the Huskies (38-0) the top overall seed and the Gamecocks (35-3) ranked as the fourth No. 1.

The Huskies are the defending champion.

On the season, Strong leads the Huskies in scoring (18.6), rebounds (7.6), steals (3.4) and blocks (1.6) per game. She also has scored in double figures in 51 consecutive games, going back to February 2025, and reached 1,000 career points in 59 games, behind only Moore and Bueckers (55 games each). 

As her name was announced, Strong received a standing ovation from her teammates, who called for her to make a speech.

A young woman of few words, Strong clearly spoke from her heart, as she thanked her parents, coaches and teammates.

“It’s a huge honor to be with you and accept this award,” the North Carolina native said. “I am very humbled.”

To head coach Geno Auriemma and his staff members who were in the audience, she said, “Thank you for always pushing me to be the best version of myself on and off the court.”

And to her teammates: “I wouldn’t be the person I am without you guys. I don’t say it a lot, but I genuinely do love you guys This award is ours to share.”

This is the latest award for Strong, who this spring also has been named:

Eight other UConn players have won the Naismith Trophy as Player of the Year – three of them multiple times – since it was first awarded in 1983. They are Rebecca Lobo (1995), Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2003, 2004), Maya Moore (2009, 2011), Tina Charles (2010), Breanna Stewart (2014-16), and Paige Bueckers (2021). Moore, Stewart and Bueckers also were honored in high school.

Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph bested a field of finalists that included Auriemma to win the Naismith Women’s Coach of the Year, and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame was the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Ralph played at UConn (1997-01) and scored 1,678 points. She was named an AP All-American in her final season. She took over as the head coach of Vanderbilt before the 2021-22 season and led the Commodores to the past three Women’s NCAA Tournaments.

This season, Vanderbilt was eliminated by Notre Dame, 67-64, in the Sweet 16. Her overall record with the Commodores is 102-64.

“Sarah’s extraordinary skill, Shea’s steady leadership, and Hannah’s tenacious defense make each of them deserving of this year’s Naismith honors,” said Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club, which presents the awards. “Their exceptional performances have justly secured them the most prestigious distinctions in college basketball, and we are proud to recognize their unwavering dedication and impressive talents.”

The other finalists were UCLA’s Lauren Betts, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, and her UConn teammate Azzi Fudd. Betts’ Bruins also qualified for the Final Four.

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