Sarah Strong Wins Wade Trophy, UConn Heads to Final Four

0:00Yukon sophomore star Sarah Strong just picked up her third national player of the year award, the Wade trophy for 2026. She's the eighth Husky to claim it, joining legends like Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, and Brianna Stewart. At just 19, she's only the second underclassman ever to win this one. Strong already grabbed the naysmith and the Anne Myers-Driesdale earlier this season. She's dominating with 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. Her efficiency is insane, 59.4% from the field, over 80% from the line while leading the nation in key defensive. Stets. Husky's fans are buzzing as strong powers the number one undefeated team at 38 and 0 to their third straight final four. She's been unstoppable in the tournament, averaging nearly 20 points in four steals lately, and she's a finalist for the Wooden Award too, which could make her Yukon's first

1:01unanimous pick since Stewart. Meanwhile, teammate Azifud earned WBCA All-American honors alongside Strong, locking in consensus first team status and a spot on the Huskies of Honor Wall. Fud's red shirt senior year is her best yet. 17.5 points, killer three-point shooting at 45.5%, leading the country with 115 makes. Yukon faces top seed South Carolina Friday at 7pm Eastern on ESPN, chasing back-to-back title games. Strong and Fud could carry them all the way. Hartford News Today, powered by AI bringing you Wood Matters. I'm Cory with the Story.