UConn sophomore Sarah Strong won the 2026 Wooden Award on April 11, completing her sweep of the player of the year awards.
Strong also won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, AP Player of the Year, the Naismith Trophy and Wade Trophy.
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Strong is the third underclassman to win the Wooden award, joining USC’s JuJu Watkins (2025), UConn’s Paige Bueckers (2021) and Maya Moore (2009). UConn teammate Azzi Fudd, UCLA center Lauren Betts, Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes and Texas forward Madison Booker were the other finalists for the award.
Strong averaged 18.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.6 blocks for the Huskies. UConn, which finished the season with a 38-1 record, had its 54-game winning streak broken by South Carolina in the national semifinals.
Strong shot 58.2% from the field, 40.4% from 3-point range and 83.3% at the free throw line. She was named Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
UConn players Tina Charles and Bueckers also won the Wooden Award. Bueckers was the first freshman to earn the honor.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn’s Sarah Strong wins Wooden Award to sweep college hoops honors
