Sarah Strong is entering her second season with the UConn Huskies, carrying high expectations. After a magical freshman season where she averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game and won the national championship, Strong is prepared to face more challenges.
After seeing Paige Bueckers leave for the NBA, her former teammates will need a new leader. Strong and Azzi Fudd are the clear candidates to take the torch from Bueckers and try to lead the squad to another national championship.
Strong’s first campaign in Division I turned a lot of heads and drew comparisons with superstars. On Saturday, analyst Mark Zanetto compared the forward to LeBron James during a segment of “The Big East Energy Network.”
Analyst explains why Sarah Strong is like LeBron James
“But you know the leading by example, it’s like LeBron led by example but that’s an elite talent that no one can ever touch so is he leading by example or is he just running in circles around his teammates and hoping they catch up? You know that to me is part of the conversation as well, is people can’t do what Sarah Strong does,” Zanetto said. “A lot of people can’t do what Azzi Fudd does but it’s specifically Sarah Strong’s unique combination of skills her ability to play inside. Outside her size, her ability to do what she does at her size that I think makes her unique in a way that isn’t really touchable.”
UConn’s Sarah Strong
UConn had no mercy on the South Carolina Gamecocks in April, beating them 82-59 to win the title. Despite losing Bueckers, they remain strong enough to defend their throne.
Of course, repeating as champions will be way easier said than done, but with this roster and coach Geno Auriemma, they should continue to be the team to beat in college basketball.
