UConn teammates Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd headline AP All-America first team

UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) is guarded by Villanova forward Brynn McCurry (13) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File) 2026-03-18T15:54:37Z Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd helped UConn to an undefeated season heading into March Madness . The pair became the first teammates in six years to make The Associated Press All-America team. It’s the 10th time that teammates have made the first team, seven of those involving UConn players. The last pair to achieve the feat was Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard in 2020. Strong and Fudd were joined by Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes , UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Texas’ Madison Booker. Strong was a unanimous choice from the 31-member national media panel that chooses the AP Top 25 each week. Blakes and Betts received all but two first-place votes. Strong, who set numerous records as a freshmen for the Huskies, raised her game in her sophomore season, helping the No. 1 Huskies to a perfect record heading into the NCAA Tournament . She averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game and shot 60.1% from the field. Fudd was right behind her, with 17.7 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 43.6% from the 3-point line. “I’m thrilled for Azzi and Sarah. They worked really hard this season and they’re great teammates,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “It’s been a long time coming for Azzi. She’s worked through so many hardships in her time at UConn, and it’s great to see all her perseverance pay off. “Sarah picked up where she left off last season and has been so consistently good and reliable for us. I’m happy for them individually, but I know it means a lot for them to get this accomplishment together as well. Blakes has had a sensational sophomore season, leading the country in scoring with 27 points a game. She also averaged 4.4 assists and shot 45.8% from the field. “Mikayla has cemented herself as one of the best players in the country as she contin

原文链接: AP News