As Sarah Strong continues strengthening her case for national player of the year, it’s no surprise that the UConn women’s basketball star headlines the midseason top 10 for the Katrina McClain Award.
The Katrina McClain Award is given by the Basketball Hall of Fame to the best power forward in the country, and Strong is one of three underclassmen on the 2026 shortlist, alongside South Carolina sophomore Joyce Edwards and Duke sophomore Toby Fournier. The Huskies phenom was also named to the midseason watchlist for the Wooden Award and for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year in January.
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Strong is one of the most versatile players in college basketball this season, averaging 19.2 points, eight rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.4 steals and 1.5 blocks. She leads the undefeated Huskies in every category except assists, where her average is just 0.1 lower than starting point guard KK Arnold. She also leads the country in defensive rating and defensive win shares, and she is tied for sixth nationally in steals.
The All-American sophomore is remarkably efficient, currently shooting 60.1% from the field, 39.4% from 3-point range and 90.9% at the free throw line. Strong is on pace to become the first player in NCAA women’s basketball to finish with 60/40/90 splits.
Strong would be the second UConn player to win the Katrina McClain Award, joining Napheesa Collier in 2019. She would also be the youngest player to earn the honor since Oregon standout Ruthy Hebard won the inaugural award as a sophomore in 2018.
Strong was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award, given to the top small forward, as a freshman in 2025. LSU’s Aneesah Morrow, who now plays for the Connecticut Sun, won the Katrina McClain last year. The award’s only returning 2025 finalist is Baylor’s Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
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Katrina McClain Award Midseason Top 10
Janiah Barker, Tennessee
Maggie Doogan, Richmond
Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
Toby Fournier, Duke
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Baylor
Khamil Pierre, NC State
Sarah Strong, UConn
Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
Sacha Washington, Vanderbilt
Laura Ziegler, Louisville
