UConn’s Strong wins 2025-26 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

UConn’s Strong wins 2025-26 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

 

INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) — UConn sophomore forward Sarah Strong has been named the winner of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, presented annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to the national women’s college basketball player of the year.

The 6-2 forward from Durham, N.C., has delivered one of the most dominant all-around seasons in the country averaging 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 60.0 percent from the field.

Strong will be honored at the Women’s Final Four in Phoenix and will formally receive the award at the upcoming USBWA College Basketball Awards Banquet on April 13 in St. Louis, hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club, along with the Tamika Catchings Award winner, USC’s Jazzy Davidson, and Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph, the USBWA’s Women’s National Coach of the Year.

“Just when you think it would be hard to surpass the greats produced at UConn in building the brand, along comes Sarah Strong,” said USBWA Vice President Mel Greenberg. “She has shown to be equivalent to some of the program’s legends as we anticipate what more she is capable of the rest of this season and her collegiate career.”

Now a two-time USBWA All-American, Strong leads the Huskies in points, rebounds, steals and blocks, anchoring both ends of the floor for a UConn team that has surged through the season unbeaten and now sits 36-0 entering the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. Her efficiency and versatility made her one of the most difficult matchups in the sport. Strong averages a remarkable .600/.419/.850 shooting split, serving as both a primary scoring option and a facilitator in the Huskies’ offense.

Against elite competition, Strong elevated her game even further. In games against Top-25 opponents, she averaged 20.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals, showcasing the complete skill set that helped establish her as the nation’s top player.

Her consistency has also been remarkable. Strong has recorded in double figures in 48 consecutive games, a streak dating back to the 2024-25 season.

Strong’s individual dominance has come as part of another historic season for the Huskies. UConn captured both the BIG EAST regular-season championship and the BIG EAST Tournament title, extending the program’s streak of sweeping both conference crowns each season since rejoining the league in 2020. The Huskies went 20-0 in conference play and won their league games by an average margin of 41.5 points.

Nationally ranked No. 1 throughout the season, UConn also carries one of the nation’s most efficient offenses, leading the country with 23.7 assists per game while routinely producing balanced scoring and dominant defensive performances.

Strong and the Huskies now turn their focus back to the NCAA Tournament. Top-seeded UConn will face North Carolina in Fort Worth in the Sweet 16 on Friday at 6 p.m. ET.

Since the 1987-88 season, the USBWA has named a women’s National Player of the Year. For the 2012-13 season, the national and weekly player award became named for Hall of Famer and UCLA All-American Ann Meyers Drysdale, who starred at UCLA before becoming one of the most influential figures in the sport as both a player and broadcaster.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association, founded in 1956, is comprised of journalists, broadcasters and publicists who cover college basketball. The organization annually presents many of the sport’s most prestigious honors, including the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award recognizing the national women’s college basketball player of the year. For more information about the USBWA and its award programs, contact Malcolm Moran at malcolm@usbwa.com.

ALL-TIME USBWA WOMEN’S NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

ANN MEYERS DRYSDALE AWARD

2025-26: Sarah Strong, UConn
2024-25: JuJu Watkins, USC
2023-24: Caitlin Clark, Iowa
2022-23: Caitlin Clark, Iowa
2021-22: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
2020-21: Paige Bueckers, UConn
2019-20: Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
2018-19: Megan Gustafson, Iowa
2017-18: A’ja Wilson, South Carolina
2016-17: Kelsey Plum, Washington
2015-16: Breanna Stewart, UConn
2014-15: Breanna Stewart, UConn
2013-14: Breanna Stewart, UConn
2012-13: Brittney Griner, Baylor
2011-12: Brittney Griner, Baylor

WOMEN’S NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2010-11: Maya Moore, UConn
2009-10: Tina Charles, UConn
2008-09: Maya Moore, UConn
2007-08: Candace Parker, Tennessee
2006-07: Candace Parker, Tennessee
2005-06: Ivory Latta, North Carolina
2004-05: Seimone Augustus, LSU
2003-04: Alana Beard, Duke
2002-03: Diana Taurasi, UConn
2001-02: Sue Bird, UConn
2000-01: Ruth Riley, Notre Dame
1999-00: Tamika Catchings, Tennessee
1998-99: Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee
1997-98: Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee
1996-97: Kate Starbird, Stanford
1995-96: Saudia Roundtree, Georgia
1994-95: Rebecca Lobo, UConn
1993-94: Lisa Leslie, USC
1992-93: Sheryl Swoopes, Texas Tech
1991-92: Dawn Staley, Virginia
1990-91: Dawn Staley, Virginia
1989-90: Jennifer Azzi, Stanford
1988-89: Clarissa Davis, Texas
1987-88: Sue Wicks, Rutgers