Since arriving in Phoenix for the Final Four, UConn sophomore Sarah Strong has won three more National Player of the Year honors: The Naismith Trophy, the Wade Trophy and the AP’s award. She previously claimed the USBWA’s Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.
Strong now just needs to win the Wooden Award (which will be announced on April 10) to be the eighth consensus National Player of the Year in program history. This is the 13th time a Husky has been named AP National Player of the Year, joining Rebecca Lobo
(1995), Jennifer Rizzotti (1996), Kara Wolters (1997), Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2003), Maya Moore (2009, 2011), Tina Charles (2010), Breanna Stewart (2014-16) and Paige Bueckers.
This season, Strong has put up 18.6 points on a .594/.404/.848 shooting split, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 1.6 blocks — all of which lead the team. She’s also first nationally with 12.3 Win Shares, 5.2 Defensive Win Shares, a 55.8 defensive rating and a 45.5 Player Efficiency Rating.
Strong has earned plenty of hardware in her second year in Storrs. In addition to the National Player of the Year accolades, she’s taken home Big East Player of the Year, Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Fort Worth 1 Regional Most Outstanding Player as well as AP, WBCA and USBWA First Team All-American recognition.
