UConn forward Sarah Strong will represent the United States in the 2025 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, beginning May 23–24 in Marseille, France.
Strong, who just completed a record-setting freshman season, will join Cierra Burdick, Mikaylah Williams, and Sahara Williams on the USA Basketball roster. The team opens play in Pool C with matchups against the Czech Republic (10:15 a.m. ET) and France (2:05 p.m. ET) on Friday. Team USA is also scheduled to compete in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on June 18–19, with additional events expected to be added to the calendar.
The 6-foot-2 forward helped lead Team USA to gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup and the 2022 and 2023 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cups. The 3×3 format features a 10-minute game clock, 12-second shot clock, and a race to 21 points or the lead at the buzzer.
Sarah Strong’s Historic Freshman Campaign
In her first season at UConn, Strong started all 40 games and averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 58.6% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range. She led the Huskies in rebounds, steals, and blocks, and finished second in points and assists.
Her impact was immediate and consistent. She scored in double figures in 37 games and recorded 15 20-point performances. Strong registered 12 double-doubles and led the team to the national championship, averaging 19.0 points and 11.7 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament. Her 114 points in the tournament set a Division I record for most by a freshman.
She finished the season with 657 total points—the second-most by a freshman in program history behind only Maya Moore. Her 356 rebounds set a UConn freshman record, and she ranks No. 2 among first-years in both assists (142) and steals (92). She was named the WBCA National Freshman of the Year and earned All-America honors from the WBCA, AP (Second Team), and USBWA (Third Team). She was also voted to the NCAA Final Four and Spokane Region All-Tournament Teams, while collecting Big East Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Big East, and Big East All-Tournament recognition.
Paige Bueckers: “She Could Be on the Mount Rushmore”
Teammate Paige Bueckers, one of the most decorated players in UConn history, has been outspoken about Strong’s potential and presence.
“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. “She’s already doing an amazing job now.”
Bueckers said Strong’s game reflects a natural understanding of basketball beyond scoring.
“She doesn’t think much when she plays—she just reacts. You can tell she’s been around basketball her whole life,” Bueckers said. “An underrated thing about Sarah is her hands—call her Go Go Gadget arms. Just throw the ball, and whenever it comes off the rim, she just goes and grabs it and gets it.”
Strong’s skill level, particularly on offense, reminded Bueckers of a program icon.
“I don’t know that anyone has had the offensive skill set that Sarah has since Stewie was here,” she said, referencing Breanna Stewart. “Now, they’re completely different players, but they accomplished somewhat the same things.”
Off the court, Bueckers highlighted Strong’s chemistry with the team and her maturity.
“Her personality off the court is probably completely opposite of what she is on the court,” Bueckers said. “Her sense of humor, her quick wittedness—just everything—she fits right in with the team. We have a really good relationship. I mean, I look up to her. She’s a really great leader. It’s just like the way she carries herself with such good confidence on the court, off the court. So, just learning that confidence is really important.”
Geno Auriemma: “She’s Charles Barkley—But a Better Shooter”
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said he recognized Strong’s unique game long before she arrived in Storrs. After watching her as a high school sophomore, he offered a comparison rarely made in women’s basketball circles.
“When I saw Sarah play in high school, in 10th grade, I couldn’t think of a woman’s player to compare her to. I said, ‘She’s Charles Barkley,’” Auriemma said. “Now, she’s a way better shooter than Chuck was. But I just think when you have a kid who’s that young, who knows the game so well—no matter what situation she’s in on the court—she has the ability to do it. That’s very rare in professional basketball players, much less a 19-year-old college freshman.”
Auriemma praised Strong’s versatility and intelligence, saying her ability to operate at any position on the floor made her invaluable to UConn’s title run. He often pointed to her decision-making and spatial awareness—traits typically developed over years, not months.
From High School Star to Global Stage
Before arriving at UConn, Strong was the No. 1-ranked recruit in the class of 2024. She starred at Grace Christian School in Raleigh, North Carolina, leading the program to three NCISAA state championships and earning back-to-back Gatorade and Miss Basketball honors in North Carolina. She averaged 21.0 points, 16.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.8 steals as a senior. She was named the 2024 Naismith High School Player of the Year and selected as a McDonald’s, Jordan Brand, SLAM, and Naismith All-American.
Now, she heads to France again to compete on the international stage—this time as one of college basketball’s brightest stars.
“The fact she’s only going to get better is extremely scary,” Bueckers said.
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