No. 1 recruit Sarah Strong is down to three schools: Who makes the list?
Strong is the last player in the ESPNW Top 100 to commit to a school since she decided late last fall to make her decision in the spring. Born in Europe while her parents both played professionally, the Naismith Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American has not had what many would consider a traditional development and recruiting process. Rather than play on one of the shoe brand circuits or the Select 40, she stayed with her team, Lady Strong, which is coached by her father, Danny Strong.
What does she bring to the table as a recruit and how would she fit at each of her final three schools?
The 6-foot-2 point forward might be the most unique player in the country with her versatility and skills. Powerful in the paint but with a feathery touch around the 3-point line, Strong is comfortable all over the floor and features a combination of strength and skill. The most outstanding part of her game may be her precision passing. Her outlet passing is particularly impressive.
Strong can add some technical aspects and improve her defensive game. She is more equipped to begin her collegiate career logging minutes at the forward position, which means she will need to learn guarding ball screens as well as numerous rotational strategies and decision-making. Skill wise, she can play a wing position, but also could improve in defensive stances and lateral techniques. Switching is a big part of today’s game defensively, and to maximize her versatility, the perimeter improvements will be needed.
Offensively, look for her to rise to another level when she hits the collegiate ranks. She has a sixth sense on offense, and when she is surrounded by other elite players, her production will grow. Strong communicates at a high level and maps out the floor better than anyone her age, making the game easier for everyone around her. She also plays in a physical nature, when needed, for an offensive rebound, putback or a post-up, as well as create space for a smooth 3 off the dribble.
UConn brings in two backcourt players in the No. 6 recruiting class along with redshirt freshman post Jana El Alfy returning to the lineup. Aaliyah Edwards is expected to enter the WNBA draft, but has not declared yet. She has played 30.1 minutes per game, averaging 17.9 points and 9.5 rebounds. This will be a large void to fill. Ice Brady, who showed particular improvement in her major Big East tournament minutes, will return in the frontcourt.
UConn is a trendsetter in lifting bigs and utilizing the skills of shooters and passers to help the flow of a fast-paced offense. Geno Auriemma uses his frontcourt players in this fashion and even had Paige Bueckers in that role at times this season. UConn averaged 81.5 points this season, while also leading the conference in rebounds and assists. The Huskies shot 35.6% from the 3. They average 71.7 possessions per game and have a 62.8% assist rate. They are ninth in the country in offensive rating. Strong would bring versatility and skill to the Huskies’ lineup. She would give them some much-needed depth inside and on the glass as they have battled injuries the past few seasons.
Duke brings in three frontcourt players in its 2024 recruiting class that is currently ranked No. 5 in the country. The Blue Devils have a freshman and sophomore core returning that collectively averaged 33.3 points. They will lose the interior players of Kennedy Brown and Camilla Emsbo, who combined to average 39.7 minutes, 12.7 points and 8.4 rebounds, so there will should be opportunities for others.
The Blue Devils utilize their frontcourt players as passers and decision-makers, which leaves space for cutting, screening and attacking guards. Coach Kara Lawson uses a pro style offense, often lifting the bigs to create space for maneuvering. Strong could bolster the team’s perimeter shooting and overall scoring prowess, complimenting it in its established style of play. Duke shot 32.4% from the 3 in the regular season and were 10th in the ACC in scoring, averaging 69.2 points. Strong could also help bolster Duke’s rebounding, as it was ninth in the ACC in that category.
UNC brings in frontcourt player Blanca Thomas and returns freshman Ciera Toomey, a versatile forward/post, from a redshirt year. Maria Gakdeng and Teonni Key return after averaging 32 minutes, 11.7 points and 8 rebounds collectively. Alyssa Ustby is expected to return with her 33.8 minutes, 12.4 points and 9.3 rebound averages.
The Tar Heels averaged 70.4 possessions per game and have an assist rate of 49.6%, ranking 96th in offensive rating. They were 11th in scoring in the ACC and second to last in assists. They shot 30.6% from the 3 and were seventh in the ACC in rebounding.
Strong would bring a perimeter touch that they did not have much of this year. She and Toomey could be a solid duo, with both possessing strong facilitating elements to their games. Strong could play a role similar to Utsby’s but with a more perimeter skilled game. Utsby has been a solid facilitator for UNC, leading it in assists and rebounds this season, but she is a reluctant perimeter shooter.