"UConn sophomore Sarah Strong topped ESPN's preseason ranking of the 25 best players in women's college basketball for 2025-26. She hasn't budged since. The rest of the list? That has changed a lot. Nine players make their debut on this midseason update. Freshmen weren't considered for the preseason list, but two have earned spots now. Competition is intense, is why some players dropped from the rankings."
"Pick any statistical category and Strong has elite numbers in it. If she has a weakness, 1½ years of college basketball has yet to expose it. She is a dominant force with a fully formed skill set, yet she plays with a subtlety in which nothing is forced. Strong's smooth 3-point shooting, soft touch in the lane and passing ability get most of the attention, but she is also the top-rated defensive player in the country, according to Her Hoop Stats."
Sarah Strong, a 6-foot-2 UConn sophomore, remains the nation's top player midseason after a dominant start to 2025-26, averaging 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 60.8% shooting. She combines smooth 3-point shooting, soft touch in the lane, passing and elite defense, ranking as the top defensive player per Her Hoop Stats. Nine players entered the midseason top 25 for the first time, including two freshmen who were not considered for the preseason list. South Carolina has three players in the top 25; UConn, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and UCLA have two apiece. The SEC leads with 13 players represented.
Read at ESPN.com
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