10/29/2026 12:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA – UConn women's basketball junior and 2026 Naismith Trophy winner Sarah Strong, senior KK Arnold and sophomore Blanca Quiñonez were named to the watch list for the 2026-27 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Watch List, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club Thursday.
Strong is coming off an incredible sophomore season, when she was earned the Wooden Award, Wade Trophy AP Player of the Year and USBWA Player of the Year winner in addition to the Naismith. A consensus All-American, Strong was the BIG EAST's 2025-26 Player and Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the BIG EAS T Tournament Most Outstanding Player, All-BIG EAST First Team and All-Defensive Team. She led the team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals as a sophomore.
Strong was named the BIG EAST's Preseason Player of the Year and a Preseason AP All-American.
Arnold led the Huskies with 4.6 assists per game while averaging 6.9 points and 2.8 steals per game last season. She earned All-BIG EAST First Team, BIG EAST All-Defensive Team and BIG EAST All-Tournament Team honors as a junior. Arnold set the single-season program record with a 4.05 assist-turnover ratio.
Arnold was unanimously named Preseason All-BIG EAST and was selected to the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list on Monday.
Quiñonez had a breakout freshman season with the Huskies as she was named the BIG EAST Freshman and Sixth Woman of the Year. She averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season. Quiñonez also earned All-BIG EAST Second Team and NCAA Fort Worth All-Region Team honors.
Quiñonez was also unanimously named Preseason All-BIG EAST and to the Cheryl Miller Award watch list.
No. 2-ranked UConn officially opens the 2026-27 season vs. Cornell in PeoplesBank Arena next Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. The game will air on Peacock/NBC Sports Network.
