Sarah and Azzi are All-Americans

[BRS24]

Women's college basketball awards: Strong leads picks, All-Americans

Mikayla Blakes made sure POY wasn't a one-player race, and Aaliyah Chavez had company in the FOY conversation.

www.espn.com

Player of the Year - Sarah Strong, UConn
Freshman of the Year - Aaliyah Chavez, Oklahoma
Defensive Player of the Year - Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Transfer of the Year - Olivia Miles, TCU
Coach of the Year - Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt

All-Americans
First team
F Sarah Strong, UConn
C Lauren Betts, UCLA
G Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt
G Azzi Fudd, UConn
G Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame

Second team
F Madison Booker, Texas
F Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
G Olivia Miles, TCU
G Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State Buckeyes
G Olivia Olson, Michigan Wolverines

 

[Topdawg]

Congratulations to Sarah and Azzi for making the first team and a bigger congratulations to Sarah for being chosen as the player of the year.

 

[Bigboote]

Chavez Freshman of the Year despite not being SEC Freshman of the Year, which went to Galvan.

 

[Centerstream]

I'm glad that ESPN noted the minutes per game that Sarah "didn't play." (My choice of words.)

 

[ec33]

Chavez Freshman of the Year despite not being SEC Freshman of the Year, which went to Galvan.

That's ESPN for you.

 

[meyers7]

Congrats to Shea for COY.

 

[AzzisBraids]

I don't disagree with anything on this list. They did a balanced job and two UConn first team all Americans is deserving for Sarah and Azzi. Sarah as POY is as well.

 

[oldude]

Very pleased to see Azzi on the 1st team along with Sarah. In addition, Sarah is now 2/2 in NPOY awards. Can she run the table? 🤫

 

[oldude]

Chavez Freshman of the Year despite not being SEC Freshman of the Year, which went to Galvan.

That’s the one selection that’s a bit of a head scratcher. Other than that, I think ESPN basically got it correct.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Wow Azzi and Sarah on the 1st team awesome!!

 

[Gus Mahler]

I hope this predicts Azzi being named a WBCA All-American, thereby clearing the way for enshrinement as a Husky of Honor. Seems to me she's a lock, but time will tell.

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

Glad to see this for Azzi. A lot of projected lists I've seen have Booker 1st team and Azzi 2nd team. I would take Azzi on my team in a heartbeat over Booker (who nonetheless is very good).

 

[EricSD]

Hard to nitpick any of those choices. Glad Cambridge and Olsen got some love. Well deserved for Sarah and Azzi. Also congrats to shea as COY. Well deserved reward for her. I really do hope it results in some great recruiting wins in the next cycle.

 

[victor64]

Agree with most of the above except there aren’t five better players in my opinion than Jaloni Cambridge. The problem is I don’t know who she replaces.

This won’t be a popular take but I think she is better than Blakes. Blakes is good, Jaloni is great. IMO.

 

[Geew1992]

Here's USA today...



Cambridge with honorable mentions is crazy work.

 

[oldude]

Just to clarify for anyone who may not know, in order for Azzi to be enshrined among the Huskies of Honor, she needs to earn 1st team AA honors from the WBCA (Coaches), who select a 10-player 1st team. So every time another 5-player AA team comes out with Azzi either 1st or 2nd team, it's most definitely encouraging that Azzi's name will end up on the wall among so many great UConn players.

 

[meyers7]

Just to clarify for anyone who may not know, in order for Azzi to be enshrined among the Huskies of Honor, she needs to earn 1st team AA honors from the WBCA (Coaches), who select a 10-player 1st team. So every time another 5-player AA team comes out with Azzi either 1st or 2nd team, it's most definitely encouraging that Azzi's name will end up on the wall among so many great UConn players.

In the Media Guide UCONN lists WBCA, USBWA and AP All Americans. I do believe if a player makes 1st team on any of the 3 they would be on the Wall.

But, it's never been needed to be proven, anyone who has ever made either of the 5 member 1st team USBWA or AP has made the 10 member WBCA.

As for NPOY awards, they list WBCA (Wade), AP, USBWA, Naismith and Wooden. They haven as yet listed ESPN or The Athletic or USA Today or any others.

They have started listing the Lieberman, Drysdale, Miller, McClain and Leslie positional awards.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[JellyBean]

Congrats, ladies!!

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Topdawg]

Sarah also made the first team in the USA Today selection. Azzi made the 2nd team. Congratulations to both players for their distinctive achievements.

 

[Topsail]

Should merge this thread with other ESPN thread on this

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Hidalgo's a pest but nobody defends all over the court like Strong. Nobody.

Media are lazy.

 

[Linart]

I am thrilled that Shea won COY! I just hope Vandy isn't in our bracket. I don't want to have to root against her.

 

[Bills Fan]

I hate to see ESPN giving an award for a transfer! Also, it doesn't look like USAToday chose a POY

 

[Centerstream]

I hate to see ESPN giving an award for a transfer! Also, it doesn't look like USAToday chose a POY

Something new for transfers to add to their NIL deals, ESPN NTOY bonus $$$.

 

[Next 12]

Congratulations to all the awards winners, Especially Sarah and Azzi. They were the best of the best. And A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR SARAH winning Player of the Year. I expect 2 more AA and POY awards she is that good. A big shout-out for SHEA for Coach of the Year, She really earned it. We have the team that MANY will fear. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[oldude]

I am thrilled that Shea won COY! I just hope Vandy isn't in our bracket. I don't want to have to root against her.

Well, that being the case, I think you’re going to be disappointed when the brackets come out on Sunday.

 

[Centerstream]

Well, that being the case, I think you’re going to be disappointed when the brackets come out on Sunday.

Yup and it will revive the BY threads regarding Geno’s record vs former Huskie coaches.