Sarah Strong is a mystery. The UConn star is also the best player in America

[BRS24]

Gift link here.

“I just ordered a ukulele on Amazon,” she said excitedly. This was 20 minutes or so into a nearly hourlong conversation last week. Here we go, I thought to myself. We’ve found levity. There she is, I celebrated internally. Disarmed, available, having merged from the stuffy formality of an interview into the comfort of an actual conversation.​

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Strong, a sophomore, doesn't necessarily portray much excitement for doing this sort of thing. But as the best player in America, and as someone who could turn into the best player in the sport over the next 15 years, she does have a growing appreciation for the value of branching out, showing more of herself, offering pieces here and there, essentially personifying a puzzle or massive collage that is going to be better appreciated the more it is worked on and looked at. She’s a bit mysterious by nature or by preference, or both.​

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And don’t bother thinking that anything you might say on social media about her and her play is going to take up residence in, or even enter, her mind. She let that happen once and will not let it happen again.​

“It was hurtful,” she said. “They don’t know who I am and don’t know anything about me and don’t know anything about basketball half the time, so the way I kind of let them affect my mental state, and my mental well-being — just can’t have that again. Can’t happen again.”​

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There's more in the article, and whew, Sarah is an amazing, complex, analytical young woman.

 

[Geew1992]

Sarah was on Azzi's podcast. Learned a lot about her.

 

[DefenseBB]

I wonder how the media will play the "who's better" story next year when Juju is back? Personally, SoCal will have some major offensive scheme issue with Hall, Davidson, Juju and Smith as all guards, all ball dominant and no bigs. Juju will get hers but how well will SoCal be overall and will the UConn juggernaut (led by Sarah, KK, Ash and Blanca plus all our key returnees) be interpreted. All future thoughts but for now this year, yes, Sarah, without ANY doubt is the best player in the country and it really isn't very close. When does the HOOPALL award voting begin?

 

[PacoSwede]

I wonder how the media will play the "who's better" story next year when Juju is back? Personally, SoCal will have some major offensive scheme issue with Hall, Davidson, Juju and Smith as all guards, all ball dominant and no bigs. Juju will get hers but how well will SoCal be overall and will the UConn juggernaut (led by Sarah, KK, Ash and Blanca plus all our key returnees) be interpreted. All future thoughts but for now this year, yes, Sarah, without ANY doubt is the best player in the country and it really isn't very close. When does the HOOPALL award voting begin?

think you have factor in uconn's coaches, style of play and ...

heritage, tradition

 

[David54]

Sarah is starting to get the national recognition she has earned don’t think there will be any serious debate that she’s the best college hoopster now and likely for the next 2 years. The argument from here on will be is she the best uconn player of all time.

 

[Geosfun]

I imagine she's being, and will continue to be, bombarded with juicy NIL portal offers. Fingers crossed her mom keeps that under control.

 

[BBallF]

Sarah is starting to get the national recognition she has earned don’t think there will be any serious debate that she’s the best college hoopster now and likely for the next 2 years. The argument from here on will be is she the best uconn player of all time.

The bigger argument will be at the end of her career both college and pro if she is the GOAT. Personally, I don't think there will be much of an argument.

 

[PvP]

I believe that she will be selected as the NPOY this year but can lock it in if she averages 20 ppg. If Geno begins to extend her PT in anticipation of the post season, that should happen.
She then would be positioned for repeats the following two years as well.
Then the last question is whether she can lead the Huskies to the National championship in all 4 years. In that quest, she will need help of course. So whether she can match Stewie will likely be determined by Olivia and Blanca (and maybe Allie) as much as her own greatness.
I believe all that is possible, and then the question of who is the G.O.A.T. becomes very valid.

 

[Bills Fan]

I imagine she's being, and will continue to be, bombarded with juicy NIL portal offers. Fingers crossed her mom keeps that under control.

Sarah is NOT going anywhere for NIL money and it's a disservice to her to even bring that up as an issue.

 

[BBallF]

A great insight into her basketball mind was at the end of the 3rd quarter against Tennessee. Sarah had just blocked the shot and Azzi had it before half court and Sarah was right in back of her. Rather than let the best shooter in America just take the ball and shoot, she saw a better play developing and yelled at Azzi to get the ball to Allie on the wing because Alli was running down the opposite side of the court. She buried the 3. Sarah is the real deal.

 

[Bills Fan]

I believe that she will be selected as the NPOY this year but can lock it in if she averages 20 ppg. If Geno begins to extend her PT in anticipation of the post season, that should happen.
She then would be positioned for repeats the following two years as well.
Then the last question is whether she can lead the Huskies to the National championship in all 4 years. In that quest, she will need help of course. So whether she can match Stewie will likely be determined by Olivia and Blanca (and maybe Allie) as much as her own greatness.
I believe all that is possible, and then the question of who is the G.O.A.T. becomes very valid.

Add Morgan to your list of 3 players who will help in the 4-peat quest.

 

[browns]

I believe that she will be selected as the NPOY this year but can lock it in if she averages 20 ppg. If Geno begins to extend her PT in anticipation of the post season, that should happen.
She then would be positioned for repeats the following two years as well.
Then the last question is whether she can lead the Huskies to the National championship in all 4 years. In that quest, she will need help of course. So whether she can match Stewie will likely be determined by Olivia and Blanca (and maybe Allie) as much as her own greatness.
I believe all that is possible, and then the question of who is the G.O.A.T. becomes very valid.

I don't think she has to average 20 pts..she does everyting so well and is now getting national recognition that she is a already a lock for NPOY if she remains healthy of course

 

[jabstep]

I admit it that when the discussions of whether Sarah would sign at UConn or some other school were never ending and, I finally got to the point that UConn will be great with or without Sarah. I was wrong!! I am now a total convert to Sarah abilities on the BBall court. What makes her so great is her all around game. She is the best rebounder and defensive big in the country. She is also a great scorer around the rim and a good 3 ball shooter. Her passing and court vision is great. I am sold on her bigly.