Sarah Strong's Ascendancy: Echoes of UConn Greatness in Seven Defining Traits

The day before the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team secured the 2025 NCAA title last April, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley offered a prescient observation regarding UConn’s then-freshman forward, Sarah Strong. "In the next three years, she might be the best player to come out of UConn," Staley remarked at the Final Four. "And those are strong words. But what she’s able to do — stay calm, the IQ is off the charts, the skill set off the charts. Big play after big play after big play." Staley, a former collegiate star herself at Virginia, is intimately familiar with the immense expectations placed on highly touted freshmen, having experienced them firsthand and coached against players of similar caliber throughout her career.

Strong’s performance in the 2025 national championship game against South Carolina underscored Staley’s assessment, with the forward tallying 24 points and 15 rebounds in the Huskies’ title-clinching victory. Throughout her freshman campaign, Strong started all 40 games, averaging 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per contest. Now in her sophomore season, the 6-foot-2 Strong has emerged as a leading contender for national player of the year honors. The No. 1-ranked Huskies, currently 4-0, have seen Strong elevate her game, averaging 20.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.3 steals per game.

UConn is scheduled to participate in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase this weekend in Uncasville, Connecticut, facing No. 6 Michigan on Friday and Utah on Sunday. Strong enters these contests following a dominant performance against Ohio State, where she contributed 29 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, and 3 blocks in a 100-68 victory. Head coach Geno Auriemma, commenting on Strong’s impact, stated, "We put the ball in Sarah Strong’s hands, and we’re going to get something really, really good."

As Strong continues her trajectory through the ranks of UConn’s storied program, her early success invites comparisons to the legendary players who preceded her. Auriemma noted, "I would say those kinds of players … you could almost see the way they carried themselves was just different. They expect way more of themselves. That’s what I would say right now about Sarah. Whatever she expected of herself last year — which was probably a lot — she expects way more from herself this year." An examination of several former UConn stars reveals distinct traits that Strong appears to share, providing a framework for understanding her exceptional talent and rapid ascent.

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Sue Bird: Responsibility

Freshman season (1998-99): 5.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 3.1 APG in 8 games
Sophomore season (1999-2000): 10.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 37 games

While Sarah Strong’s immediate impact, culminating in a national championship, contrasts with Sue Bird’s freshman season, which was curtailed by an ACL injury after just eight games, both players were entrusted with significant responsibility early in their careers. Auriemma, recognizing Bird’s innate leadership qualities, famously informed her before her sophomore season that any shortcomings by UConn would be her fault. This challenge, designed to cultivate a profound sense of accountability, propelled Bird to lead the Huskies to their second national championship in her sophomore year, averaging nearly 11 points and over four assists per game.

Similarly, Strong was tasked with immediate contributions, scoring in double figures in all but three games and rarely dipping below five rebounds during her freshman campaign. Her Final Four performances against UCLA (22 points, 8 rebounds) and South Carolina (24 points, 15 rebounds) demonstrated her capacity to perform under peak pressure. For her sophomore year, Auriemma has explicitly challenged Strong to play as the best player in the country, stating, "As coaches … even in practice we almost want her to be perfect. [It’s] not fair. But I wouldn’t ask her to be if I didn’t think she could." This reflects a belief in Strong’s ability to shoulder immense responsibility, mirroring the expectations once placed on Bird.

Diana Taurasi: Confidence

Freshman season (2000-01): 10.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.3 APG in 33 games
Sophomore season (2001-02): 14.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.3 APG in 39 games

Diana Taurasi, a freshman surrounded by a veteran roster of star juniors and seniors, quickly made her presence felt, averaging nearly 11 points per game. Despite a challenging end to her freshman year – a 1-of-15 shooting performance (0-for-11 from three-point range) in a national semifinal loss to Notre Dame – Auriemma famously advised her not to allow that single game to diminish her inherent confidence. This advice resonated profoundly, as Taurasi responded in her sophomore season by leading Division I in three-point percentage (44%, 92-of-209) and securing the first of her three consecutive NCAA titles.

Strong, though possessing a less outwardly flamboyant demeanor than Taurasi, exhibits a similar unwavering confidence on the court. From her collegiate debut, an 8-of-12 shooting performance for 17 points, four rebounds, and six steals against Boston University, Strong has played with an unflappable self-assurance. This composure provides a stabilizing presence for her teammates, allowing her to execute consistently regardless of game circumstances, a hallmark of Taurasi’s legendary career.

Tina Charles: Toughness

Freshman season (2006-07): 12.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.3 BPG in 36 games
Sophomore season (2007-08): 14.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.8 BPG in 38 games

Tina Charles’ freshman season culminated in a pivotal learning experience during the 2007 Elite Eight, where UConn faced LSU and its dominant 6-foot-6 center, Sylvia Fowles. In a 73-50 loss, Fowles dominated with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 blocks, while Charles struggled, scoring just one point on 0-for-5 shooting and collecting three rebounds. This encounter served as a catalyst, toughening Charles for future challenges. As a sophomore, she led the Big East in field goal percentage (60.4%) and helped guide UConn to the Final Four, ultimately losing to Stanford in the semifinals. Charles would then go on to win back-to-back undefeated NCAA titles in her junior and senior seasons (2009, 2010).

Strong, despite being two inches shorter than Charles, demonstrates a comparable resolve and toughness in her game. While Charles, a dominant post player, later developed a three-point shot in her WNBA career (making 50 in 2021), Strong already possesses an effective perimeter game, sinking 59 three-pointers at a 38.8% clip last season. Strong’s interior presence and willingness to engage in physical play, combined with her versatile scoring, underscore a toughness that aligns with the legacy of players like Charles.

Maya Moore: Fluidity

Freshman season (2007-08): 17.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.1 APG in 38 games
Sophomore season (2008-09): 19.3 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.3 APG in 39 games

Maya Moore’s grace and seamless movement on the court often created an illusion of effortlessness, a quality now frequently observed in Sarah Strong’s play. Moore was an immediate superstar, leading the Huskies back to the Final Four after a three-year absence in her freshman season, though they fell to Stanford in the semifinals. As a sophomore, Moore was the consensus national player of the year, hitting a career-high 90 three-pointers. She then led UConn to consecutive undefeated seasons in her sophomore and junior years, culminating in a remarkable 150-4 overall record during her four-year career (2007-11).

Strong’s ability to make complex plays appear simple is an electrifying aspect of her game. Auriemma elaborated on this, stating, "When you watch how she does it, it just kind of makes you realize, ‘That’s not normal.’ Most kids, you can tell they’re working really hard to get their 29 points. I don’t know that she works really, really hard. I mean, it’s not as easy as she makes it look … but it kind of is. She has such great body control, fantastic vision, she knows how the game is being played and where her advantages are, and there isn’t a shot on the floor she can’t make." This fluidity positions Strong as a potential consensus National Player of the Year in her second season, echoing Moore’s sophomore acclaim.

Breanna Stewart: Dominance

Freshman season (2012-13): 13.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.1 BPG in 36 games
Sophomore season (2013-14): 19.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.8 BPG in 40 games

Breanna Stewart famously declared upon her arrival at UConn that she would win four national championships, a promise she fulfilled. While her freshman year included some challenging moments, notably Auriemma benching her to make a point, Stewart ultimately dominated the 2013 NCAA tournament. She carried this momentum into her sophomore season, evolving into the nation’s premier player, with significant improvements in scoring, playmaking, and defense. Stewart’s sheer dominance often instilled a sense of intimidation in opponents even before tip-off.

Strong displays a similar all-encompassing impact, demonstrating what many consider to be professional-level ability early in her collegiate career. A standout play from the recent victory over Ohio State exemplified this dominance: Strong blocked a shot, swiftly scrambled past the shooter to regain possession, and then drove the length of the court for a layup. Strong articulated her approach, stating, "I’m just trying to be part of every play. Affect the game in every way that I can." This desire to influence every facet of the game aligns with Stewart’s pervasive dominance.

Napheesa Collier: Efficiency

Freshman season (2015-16): 6.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.2 BPG in 38 games
Sophomore season (2016-17): 20.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.1 BPG in 37 games

As a freshman in the 2015-16 season, Napheesa Collier played a supporting role behind senior stars Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck during UConn’s undefeated 38-0 campaign. However, in her sophomore year, Collier exploded onto the scene, becoming UConn’s leading scorer and rebounder while achieving a career-best 67.8% field goal percentage. Her effective field goal percentage (70.2) led Division I in 2016-17, showcasing her remarkable efficiency. Collier, a 6-foot-1 forward who played at UConn from 2015-19, maximized every opportunity on the court, a trait she has successfully carried into her WNBA career.

Strong mirrors this mentality, consistently converting her scoring chances. As a freshman, she shot an impressive 58.6% from the field, including 38.8% from beyond the arc. So far this season, her overall field goal percentage stands at 61.1%, with 33.3% from three-point range. Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff, reflecting on Strong’s performance, noted, "She’s extremely efficient around the basket; she’s great at the 3-point line. But probably more important than all that, she’s got a terrific basketball IQ, and she makes so many good decisions." This high basketball IQ and decision-making directly contribute to her exceptional efficiency.

Paige Bueckers: Maturity

Freshman season (2020-21): 20.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.8 APG in 29 games
Sophomore season (2021-22): 14.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 17 games

Paige Bueckers commenced her collegiate career under the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant burden of being hailed as a "savior" player, the No. 1 recruit expected to lead UConn to its first title since 2016. She met these expectations with remarkable maturity, earning consensus national player of the year honors as a freshman (2020-21) and guiding the Huskies to the national semifinals, where they ultimately lost to Arizona.

Strong, similarly a No. 1 recruit, was immediately counted upon to produce. Both Bueckers and Strong exhibited an innate preparedness for high-pressure situations, coupled with a dedication to the rigorous daily grind required to perform at their best. Strong’s poised demeanor likely draws from her mother, Allison Feaster, a Harvard alumna who enjoyed a decade-long career in the WNBA. While Bueckers’ sophomore season was unfortunately hampered by injuries, preventing her from sustained progress, she persevered, returning to help the Huskies reach the 2022 NCAA final, where they fell to South Carolina. Strong, like Bueckers, displayed an unshakeable composure as a freshman, never appearing rattled. Auriemma encapsulated this maturity, saying of Strong, "She plays with such confidence and such poise because she knows, ‘I will never be on the court in any situation where I don’t know what to do.’ That’s a pretty great luxury to have as a kid."

ESPN’s Alexa Philippou contributed to this story.