UConn's Sarah Strong Wins 2026 Katrina McClain Award

The sophomore forward is named the nation's top power forward in women's college basketball.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:54pm

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UConn women's basketball star Sarah Strong has been named the 2026 recipient of the Katrina McClain Award, which recognizes the nation's best power forward in women's college basketball. Strong, the National Player of the Year, beat out several other top players for the honor, becoming just the second Husky and second underclassman to win the award since its inception in 2018.

Why it matters

Strong's Katrina McClain Award win further cements her status as one of the top players in the country. The sophomore has already received numerous other national player of the year honors this season, leading UConn to its 25th Final Four appearance. This award specifically highlights her dominance as a power forward, a key position in the Huskies' lineup.

The details

Strong averaged team-highs in points (18.4), rebounds (7.7), blocks (1.6) and steals (3.4) per game this season. She was named the Big East Player and Defensive Player of the Year, and earned Most Outstanding Player honors in both the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Fort Worth Regional 1. In UConn's Final Four loss, Strong recorded her 10th double-double of the year with 12 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and one assist.

  • Strong was named the 2026 Katrina McClain Award winner on April 4, 2026.
  • She is the second Husky to win the award since it was first given out in 2018.
  • Strong is also just the second underclassman to receive the Katrina McClain Award, following Oregon's Ruthy Hebard in 2018.

The players

Sarah Strong

A sophomore forward for the UConn women's basketball team and the 2026 National Player of the Year.

Napheesa Collier

The only other UConn player to previously win the Katrina McClain Award, doing so in 2019.

Ruthy Hebard

The only other underclassman to win the Katrina McClain Award, doing so as a sophomore at Oregon in 2018.

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What’s next

Strong remains a top-five finalist for the 2026 Wooden Award, which will be announced on Friday, April 10. If she wins the Wooden Award, she'll become the first Husky to sweep every National Player of the Year award since Breanna Stewart in 2016.

The takeaway

Sarah Strong's Katrina McClain Award win further solidifies her status as one of the premier players in women's college basketball. As a sophomore, she has already achieved remarkable individual accolades, leading UConn to another deep NCAA Tournament run. Strong's dominance as a power forward has been a key factor in the Huskies' success this season.