UConn Freshman Hailed by Paige Bueckers Receives Major International Honor
Geno Auriemma's lengthy tenure as the Connecticut Huskies' women's basketball coach has seen era-defining talents make their mark in Storrs before they found greater glories in the WNBA or on the Olympic stage.
Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and most recently Paige Bueckers all won championships at UConn, establishing legacies of greatness before heading to pastures new.
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On her way out the door to the WNBA, Bueckers hailed forward Sarah Strong as the next great Huskies star -- and on Wednesday, Strong received the news that she will be representing Team USA at the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series, which tips off in Marseille, France on Friday.
Strong, the top recruit in her class, committed to UConn on April 6, 2024; exactly one year later, Strong posted a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double in the national championship against South Carolina, helping UConn end a nine-year title drought.
Strong's 657 total points across 40 games were the second-most by a freshman in school history; her 356 rebounds became a new freshman record at UConn.
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'I think by the time Sarah is done here at UConn, she could definitely be on the Mount Rushmore and be one of the top-5 players to ever wear a UConn uniform,' Bueckers said in February. 'She's already doing an amazing job now.'
Bueckers, the eventual #1 overall pick of the Dallas Wings in the WNBA draft, compared Strong to Stewart -- the New York Liberty's star player and a two-time WNBA MVP. Bueckers sees a complete offensive skill set in Strong, which will be on display at the FIBA Women's Series later this week.
The FIBA tournament rules differ significantly from NCAA basketball regulations. Each game features a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock; the first team to 21 points, or whichever team leads at the final buzzer, is declared the winner.
Strong and Team USA, playing in Pool C at the Women's Series, will face the Czech Republic at 10:15 a.m. Eastern on Friday before taking on France at 2:05 p.m. ET. Strong's teammates include former Tennessee star Cierra Burdick, LSU guard Mikaylah Williams and Oklahoma guard Sahara Williams.
Related: Caitlin Clark Addresses Possible Music Collab with LSU's Flau'jae Johnson
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