University of Connecticut Athletics
Strong Named McClain Award Top 10 Candidate
2/5/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – UConn women's basketball sophomore Sarah Strong was named a top-10 candidate for the 2026 Katrina McClain Awzrd, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association Thursday.
The Katrina McClain Award, now in its ninth year, recognizes the top power forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. It is named after the two-time All-American, 1987 National Player of the Year, and Class of 2012 Hall of Famer.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in both of the remaining rounds starting on Friday, February 6, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
Strong leads UConn in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals this season and is currently averaging a .601/.394/.909 shooting split. She's averaging 19.2 points per game in 27.4 minutes per game compared to 16.4 in 28.6 last season.
Against top-25 opponents this season, Strong is averaging 20.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game.
Strong ranks sixth nationally in steals (81), ninth in field goal percentage (60.1) and 24th in assist-turnover ratio (2.25).
Strong became the third fastest Husky to reach 1,000 career points last month, doing so in her 59th career game.
UConn alumna Napheesa Collier won the Katrina McClain Award in 2019.
Graduate student Azzi Fudd was named a candidate for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (shooting guard) on Tuesday.
