SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – UConn women's basketball junior Sarah Strong was named to the 20-player watch list for the 2027 Katrina McClain Award, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Thursday.

The Katrina McClain Award, now in its 10th year, recognizes the top power forward in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. It is named after the two-time All-American, 1987 National Player of the Year, and Class of 2012 Hall of Famer.

Strong earned the 2026 Katrina McClain Award.

Strong is coming off an incredible sophomore season, when she was earned the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award, Wade Trophy, AP Player of the Year and USBWA Player of the Year winner. A consensus All-American, Strong was the BIG EAST's 2025-26 Player and Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the BIG EAS T Tournament Most Outstanding Player, All-BIG EAST First Team and All-Defensive Team. She led the team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals as a sophomore.

Strong was named the BIG EAST's Preseason Player of the Year, a Preseason AP All-American and to the Naismith Trophy watch list.

Along with Strong, UConn alumna Napheesa Collier won the McClain Award in 2019.

On Monday, senior KK Arnold was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award, which goes to the nation's top point guard, and on Wednesday, sophomore Blanca Quiñonez was named to the Cheryl Miller Award for the nation's top small forward.

No. 2-ranked UConn officially opens the 2026-27 season vs. Cornell in PeoplesBank Arena next Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. The game will air on Peacock/NBC Sports Network.