With the way Clara Strack plays, awards seem inevitable.
Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks is convinced his 6-foot-5 junior is the nation’s premier center, and her stats certainly back him up. The nation will get a front-row seat to her talents when 5-seed Kentucky (23-10) takes on 12-seed James Madison (26-8) in Morgantown, West Virginia, this Saturday.
Meanwhile, the host Mountaineers (27-6), a No. 4 seed, will face off against 13-seed Miami (OH) (28-6). The winners of these matchups will clash on Monday.
Strack, however, is more focused on victories than accolades, even after being named one of five players in the running for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year award. Last year, she was a top 10 finalist.
“Obviously, you want to be the best you can be and live up to your potential, but awards are never on my mind,” Strack shared. “I love every single one of my teammates. We have an outstanding group, and I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else.
“I think what we have and what we can achieve is really special. Everyone’s on the same page, and I believe we can make a deep run. I’m excited to do it with these people around me.”
Strack was the 2025 Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year after transferring from Virginia Tech to Kentucky alongside Brooks. She has shattered the UK single-season blocks record two years running and is on track to become the school's all-time leading shot blocker.
Already, she’s nearing UK’s top 10 list in career rebounds after just two seasons, with 661 to her name. She also ranks in the top 10 for single-season scoring (563 points, ninth) and rebounding (331 rebounds, sixth).
“Clara is evolving into a leader. Knowing her personality, she’s the type who doesn’t want to disappoint,” Brooks noted. “Our relationship is strong, and I know what buttons to push with her.
“She’s a coach’s dream because everything I do is for her growth, and she understands that. Before it’s all said and done, she might be the best superstar I’ve ever coached.”
Kentucky’s point guard, Tonie Morgan, a transfer from Georgia Tech, broke the UK single-season assists record set by Georgia Amoore last season, with many assists leading to Strack’s scores.
“She makes my life a lot easier. She’s the best post player in the country,” Morgan praised.
Opponents have tried double and even triple-teaming Strack to throw her off with physical play. Brooks believes she’s been “mauled” in some games, yet Strack remains unfazed, averaging 17.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game.
“You just have to play through stuff like that. They might push me around, but I have length and touch. I rely on those and don’t worry too much about what teams do to me,” Strack explained.
Her prowess was on full display in the SEC Tournament, where she nailed five 3-pointers in a 33-point performance against Georgia. She became the first SEC player 6-foot-5 or taller to hit that many threes in a game.
Strack is also only the second SEC player-following Tennessee legend Candace Parker-to notch at least 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 150 blocks, 125 assists, and 50 steals in their first two SEC seasons. Remarkably, she’s the only Division I women’s player in the last 23 years to record 64 points, 26 rebounds, eight blocks, six made threes, and 57 percent shooting from the field in a conference tournament.
“We are tough. Clara is one of the toughest players in the country.
She’ll battle anybody,” Brooks asserted. “Teonni Key and Amelia Hassett will battle anybody.
We’re a tough team. We have the best center in the country.
We’ll rebound, and that gives us a chance against anyone.”
Strack shares the same optimism about Kentucky’s postseason prospects.
“We’ve faced some challenges and had to redefine ourselves, but that makes us stronger,” Strack reflected. “Overcoming adversity prepares you for life.
Our aim is to play our best basketball in March because that’s when it counts. Knowing we have the people and pieces to compete with anyone, I believe our best basketball is still ahead.”