Sarah Strong (born February 3, 2006) is an American college basketball player for the UConn Huskies of the Big East Conference. She was the No. 1 recruit of the 2024 class.
| No. 21 – UConn Huskies | |
|---|---|
| Position | Forward |
| League | Big East Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 3, 2006 Spain |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
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| College | UConn (2024–present) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life and high school career
editStrong played her freshman year at Fuquay-Varina High School in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and averaged 25 points and 19 rebounds per game.[1] After that season, she moved to Grace Christian School in Sanford, North Carolina, and won three consecutive NCISAA state titles as the team went 91–4 over three years and finished on a 41-game undefeated streak.[2][3] As a senior, she averaged 21.0 points, 16.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game in 2023–24.[4] She was named North Carolina Miss Basketball in 2023 and 2024 and was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Girls Game.[4] She was named the Naismith High School Player of the Year in 2024, becoming the first North Carolinian to be so honored.[5] Strong was ranked as the No. 1 recruit of the class of 2024 by ESPN.[6] On April 6, 2024, she committed to play college basketball at UConn.[7]
College career
editFreshman season
editStrong debuted for the UConn Huskies on November 7, 2024, scoring a team-high 17 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 6 steals in a 86–32 win over Boston University.[8]
National team career
editIn 3x3 basketball, Strong won gold with the United States at the 2022 and 2023 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup.[9]
On May 19, 2024, Strong was named to the United States roster for the 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women's AmeriCup.[10]
Personal life
editStrong's parents both played basketball: her father, Danny, for NC State, and her mother, Allison Feaster, for Harvard and professionally, later joining the Boston Celtics front office.[4][2]
References
edit- ^ Gibson, Todd (December 8, 2023). "Grace Christian's Sarah Strong in no hurry to name a college". CBS 17. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Bass, Alex (December 30, 2023). "Why defending Sarah Strong, the nation's top prep girls basketball player, is often futile". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Villamarzo, Andy (March 9, 2024). "Grace Christian's Sarah Strong named Naismith Girls Basketball Player of the Year". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c Wertz Jr., Langston (March 14, 2024). "Grace Christian standout Sarah Strong is NC Ms. Basketball for second straight year". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Eberly, Keaton (March 9, 2024). "'I am humbled': North Carolina high school basketball star wins national award". WNCT. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Laflin, Shane (March 14, 2024). "No. 1 recruit Sarah Strong is down to three schools: Who makes the list?". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Laflin, Shane (April 6, 2024). "Top 2024 recruit Sarah Strong commits to UConn". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Emily (November 8, 2024). "Sarah Strong dominates for UConn women's basketball in 86–32 rout Boston University to open season". Hartford Courant. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "Sarah Strong". USA Basketball. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ "Sarah Strong Named to USA Basketball U18 National Team". uconnhuskies.com. May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.