TAMPA, Fla. – UConn women's basketball forward Sarah Strong was named the 2025 WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year, as announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Wednesday.

As just a freshman, Strong has established herself as one of the top players in the nation. She is averaging 16.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Strong leads the Huskies in rebounds, steals and blocks and ranks second on the team in points and assists.

Against top-25 opponents this season, Strong averaged 16.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Strong already ranks in the top 10 for UConn freshmen records for numerous statistical categories: second in points (611), first in rebounds (333), second in assists (135), fourth in steals (89) and fourth in blocks (62).

In her first collegiate postseason, Strong is averaging 15.9 points and 12.6 rebounds and has six double-doubles in seven games. Strong was named to the NCAA Spokane Region 4 All-Tournament team while helping lead UConn to the 2025 Final Four.

Strong was unanimously named the BIG EAST's Freshman of the Year and The Athletic's National Freshman of the Year. She was selected to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team after recording double-doubles in all three games, averaging 14.3 points and 13. 7 rebounds per game.

Strong was named an AP Second Team All-American and USBWA Third Team All-American.

The Freshman of the Year award honors the best NCAA Division I women's basketball freshman or redshirt freshman. All conference freshman players of the year in NCAA Division I are considered for the award. If a conference does not select a freshman player of the year, the conference office can nominate one player to be considered.