University of Connecticut Athletics
Four Huskies Named to Wooden Award Watch List
11/18/2025 4:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – Graduate student Azzi Fudd, senior Serah Williams and sophomores Sarah Strong and Kayleigh Heckel of the UConn women's basketball team were named to the 50-player watch list for the 2025-26 John R. Wooden Award, as announced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club Tuesday.
In her final collegiate season, Fudd is averaging a career-high 17.8 points per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three. She is second on the team with 18 assists and 10 steals. Fudd was named Preseason All-BIG EAST and to the Naismith Trophy, Wade Trophy and Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch lists.
Williams joined the Huskies for her final collegiate season and has been an immediate starter for UConn. She's averaging 16.1 points and 8.4 rebounds in her career. Williams was named Preseason All-BIG EAST and to the Naismith Trophy, Wade Trophy and Lisa Leslie Award watch lists.
Strong currently leads the Huskies in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks this season. She's averaging 20.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a sophomore. Strong was named the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and an AP Preseason All-American and to the Naismith Trophy, Wade Trophy and Katrina McClain Award watch lists.
Heckel joined the Huskies this offseason and has been a key reserve for UConn. She is averaging 8.0 points and 2.0 assists per game.
Four Huskies have won the Wooden Award six times: Maya Moore (2009, '11), Tina Charles (2010), Breanna Stewart (2015, '16) and Paige Bueckers (2021).
The top-ranked Huskies face No. 6 Michigan in a top-10 showdown in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase this Friday at 8 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game will air on FOX. Tickets are available here.
