SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – UConn women's basketball freshman Sarah Strong was named to the watch list for the 2025 Cheryl Miller Award, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Wednesday.

The Cheryl Miller Award, in its eighth year, honors the top small forwards in women's Division I women's college basketball. It is named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer.

Strong is ESPN's No. 1-ranked recruit in the Class of 2024. She was named the 2024 Naismith High School Player of the Year and was selected as a McDonald's, Naismith, SLAM and Jordan Brand All-American. She also earned 2023 and '24 North Carolina Miss Basketball and Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year honors.

Strong is the BIG EAST's preseason Freshman of the Year.

UConn alumna Gabby Williams won the inaugural Cheryl Miller Award in 2018.

Redshirt senior Paige Bueckers was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list (point guard) and graduate student Azzi Fudd was selected to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch list (shooting guard).

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Cheryl Miller Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just 5. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Miller and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Cheryl Miller Award are composed of top women's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.