UConn’s Sarah Strong named AP player of the year after standout sophomore season

• Strong is Huskies’ first winner since Paige Bueckers in 2021

• ‘Low-key superstar’ has led undefeated team to Final Four

Sarah Strong of UConn was named the Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year after leading the Huskies to an undefeated season, setting the stage for a run to the Final Four.

Strong became just the fifth player to win the award in her sophomore year, joining Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris (2007), UConn stars Maya Moore (2009) and Breanna Stewart (2014) and USC’s JuJu Watkins, who won it last year. The AP started giving out the award in 1995.