Sarah Strong Named Katrina McClain Award Winner As Nation’s Top Power Forward

The UConn Huskies’ season came to an abrupt end, as many expected them to defend the title with ease. The side’s dominant season hinted at the same, and a key reason for the same was the performances of Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong.

Fudd and Strong earned USBWA First Team All-American honors for the season, with the latter forward landing the 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year. Along with it, the sophomore earned another special accolade.

Sarah Strong Wins Katrina McClain Award

The Katrina McClain Award is one of the five positional awards given by the Basketball Hall of Fame to the nation’s top power forward. For the 2025-26 season, there was competition between the UConn PF, South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, and Duke’s Toby Fournier. Khamil Pierre from NC State and Richmond senior Maggie Doogan were other finalists for the award.

After the voting, Strong earned the final nod and became only the second UConn star to win the award after Napheesa Collier.

Sarah Strong is the 2026 Katrina McClain Award winner! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/8dyeHaYvZU

— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 4, 2026

The 2025-26 Big East Player of the Year had been one of the most versatile players this season, averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks. She also showed great efficiency, shooting 60.1% from the field, 42.7% from the range, and over 87% from the free-throw line.

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Strong also had an elite record, matching Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart on the elite scoring list during UConn’s win over Notre Dame. But now, after the end of the season, there would be a bigger responsibility on the forward.

Sarah Strong To Carry The Torch For UConn Huskies

12-time NCAA Champions not only have one of the top coaches from the past but also top players from the country playing for them. The Spaniard also makes the list with her two seasons already impressing many.

The franchise so far has had players like Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd to carry the championship mantle. Earlier, it was either Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart, who made the side a contender in the season.

Although Auriemma will be looking for the next superstar, from the available roster, it’s the 20-year-old who needs to step up to an even bigger role from next season.