UConn's women's basketball team continues to bask in the glow of individual accolades, with standout performances from sophomore forward Sarah Strong and graduate guard Azzi Fudd earning them prestigious honors.
Fresh off their selection to the United States Basketball Writers Association All-America team, Strong and Fudd have now been named to the exclusive five-player Associated Press All-America first team. This marks the seventh occasion since 1995 that UConn has had two players earn this distinction, joining legendary pairs like Jennifer Rizzotti and Kara Wolters in 1996, and Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson in 2016.
Sarah Strong's impact on the court has been nothing short of phenomenal. As a unanimous choice, she garnered 31 first-team votes, amassing 155 points on the AP's voting scale.
Her stats tell the story: leading the undefeated Huskies (34-0) with 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. Her shooting is equally impressive, hitting 60.1% from the field, 42.7% from beyond the arc, and 87.3% from the free-throw line.
Strong's consistency is underscored by her streak of scoring in double figures for 47 straight games and reaching the 1,000-point milestone this season. Her name is in the mix for the Naismith Trophy, the Wooden Award, and she's a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award.
Azzi Fudd, meanwhile, is enjoying a career-best season, averaging 17.7 points per game with stellar shooting splits of .489/.446/.951. Her all-around game has flourished, setting personal highs in rebounds, assists, and steals. The Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Fudd ranks second nationally in 3-pointers made and is a key contender for the AAU Sullivan and Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards.
Joining them on the first team are UCLA's Lauren Betts, Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes, and Texas's Madison Booker, each bringing their own unique strengths to the table.
The second team features talents like Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and South Carolina's Joyce Edwards, while the third team includes LSU's Flau'Jae Johnson and Duke's Toby Fournier, among others.
As the top-seeded Huskies gear up to defend their NCAA title, beginning with a matchup against No. 16 UTSA in the Fort Worth 1 Regional, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in UConn's storied basketball history.