“” My God, but how did you get so strong so quickly? »Kevin Durant is obviously Already a fan From Sarah Strong, as he displayed on X/Twitter. And it is far from being the only one. The American-French concluded a first high-flying university season by a fantastic Four Four with Uconn. With 24 points at 10/15 in shooting including 2/3 from afar, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 interceptions and 3 counters in the final against South Carolina, the interior was just as decisive in the quest for the title as the superstar Paige Bueckers And the best player of the last square, Azzi Fudd. And to say that she has just played her very first NCAA season …
The “Freshman” settled in very good company among the best beginners in the history of university basketball. She is the first to sign a 20 -point match and 15 minimum rebounds in the NCAA final. The first first -year player of the Huskies Annals, who nevertheless saw Paige Buckers, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Rebecca Lobo or Breanna Stewart, to register 20 points or more during three games of the March Madness. And the first Freshman all all facs to be accumulated as many points (114) in the final tournament.
“I think I performed better than what I expected” reacted Sarah Strong at a press conference. “” It is good to have done this, but it would not have happened without my teammates. I draw my confidence from them, and the preparation that we made. Since the complicated days spent in training, we have always been ready for these moments. »»
Pre-designed
More talkative for the moment on the prosecution than behind a microphone, which has a lot of fun her coach Geno Auriemma, Sarah Strong seems to be ahead of her 19 years in all areas.
Remarkable of calm for what was the biggest meeting of her young career, of great maturity in her game, the player of Uconn seems to be made for these moments. “She knew it was where she wanted to be since the sixth »» explained At the Andscape media His father Danny Strong, a former player who has long played in the French championship, especially on the side of Gravelines-Dunkirk. “It was in his heart. We are so happy that we had the opportunity to be here, in the context in which we are now. »»
Arrival in Connecticut as the best high school student in the country, but in the background for the last season of Paige Buceckers before joining the WNBA, Sarah Strong continued to impress everything over the season (16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 interceptions and 1.6 against).
“The basics she has laid as a freshman are surrealist” estimated Paige Bueckers before the final. “The fact that she is going to be improving is extremely frightening. »»
“I said to myself, 'It's Charles Barkley'”
Post 4 Ultra complete, capable of dominating in power as in technique, with a rare ball quality for an interior of this age, Sarah Strong has, so to speak, no real weak point. And in fact a player as difficult to identify as stunning to see evolve.
“When I saw her play in high school, I couldn't find a player to compare her” Proclaimed his coach, the legendary Geno Auriemma, 71 years old. “” I said to myself, 'It's Charles Barkley'. Now she is a much better shooter than Chuck was not (38.8 % 3-point, 13/26 during the March Madness). But a player, so young, who knows the game so well, regardless of the situation in which she is on the ground, no matter what to do, she has the capacity. It is very rare for professional players, even more for a 19 -year -old university player. »»
And his ascent to the summits of female basketball has obviously only begins, when he still has three years to spend among Huskies. The departure of Paige Bueckers next season should offer him even more opportunities to shine. And make her one of the most anticipated players to the pro world. “” Do I see myself as the next superstar? I haven't thought as far as that for the moment She assured after the title. “” I already absorb everything that happens to me. »»
The defeated coach, Dawn Staley, former WNBA teammate by Allison Feaster, Sarah Strong's mother, is in any case convinced. “In the next three years, she could be the best player to have ever passed through Uconn” had she advanced before the final. “His Qi Basket is extraordinary. Its qualities? Extraordinary. She does a big action on big action. »»
Eligible to evolve with the French Team, for which it is eligible due to the French passports of its parents and because it has so far evolved with Team USA that in basketball 3 × 3, it should however logically strengthen the racket of the United States in international competitions in the future.
