University of Connecticut Athletics
Strong Selected as McClain Award Finalist
3/12/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – UConn women's basketball sophomore Sarah Strong was named one of five finalists for the 2026 Katrina McClain Award, 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 starting on Friday, March 13, at 1:00 PM ET, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
Strong was named the unanimous BIG EAST Player of the Year and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year, as well as unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team and to the All-Defensive Team.
Strong is averaging a .601/.427/.873 shooting split with 18.5 points per game. UConn's most consistent player, Strong has scored in double digits in 47 consecutive games and leads the Huskies in points, rebounds, blocks and steals. She is the first UConn player with 100 steals in a season since Gabby Williams in 2016-17.
She ranks sixth nationally in steals (111), 24th in assist-turnover ratio (2.21) and 10th in field goal percentage (60.1).
Strong is first in the nation in win shares (11.0), defensive win shares (4.8), offensive rating (134.1), defensive rating (65.3) and player efficiency (46.8).
Strong has been named National Player of the Year by The Athletic and ESPN. She is a First Team All-America selection by The Athletic, ESPN and USA Today.
Strong is on the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team, the Wooden Award National Ballot and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Late-Season Team.
UConn alumna Napheesa Collier won the Katrina McClain Award in 2019.
