so strong

Sarah Strong will be the 2026 Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year because there isn’t a more complete player in the game. She scores efficiently from all three levels, dominates the glass, and defends with intelligence and intensity. Strong’s skill set is unmatched — she has the size to control the paint, the handle to create off the dribble, and the vision to elevate teammates. After a year playing alongside Paige Bueckers — one of the most generational leaders and talents in recent memory — Strong’s understanding of pace, poise, and leadership has gone to another level.

Azzi Fudd will still carry the bulk of UConn’s leadership and is an All-American in her own right, but Strong is a rare talent with a ceiling like few others the sport has ever seen. While players like Lauren Betts and Fudd will continue to shine and grab headlines, Strong’s impact is deeper and more consistent. She dictates games in every phase — scoring, rebounding, defending, facilitating — and makes winning plays regardless of circumstance. She’s the rare player who can guard multiple positions and still lead her team in points and rebounds. 2026 will belong to Sarah Strong, a transcendent all-around force who defines UConn’s next era.