Kendra AndrewsMar 8, 2026, 02:00 PM ETMultiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsGraduate student Azzi Fudd and sophomore Sarah Strong of the undefeated UConn Huskies headline the John R. Wooden Award top 15 ballot, which was announced Sunday.The award is given annually to the best college basketball player in the country.Texas is the only other program with multiple players on the list, as junior Madison Booker and graduate student Rori Harmon made the cut.The top three scorers in the nation also were included: Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes (21.7), Iowa State’s Audi Crooks (25.6) and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo (25.2).After helping lead UConn to its third straight undefeated Big East regular season, Strong was named the conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Strong averaged 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks through 30 games this season. She recorded 13 20-point games and eight double-doubles, and she ranks seventh in the nation in steals (97) and 12th in steals per game (3.23).In her final season at UConn, Fudd is averaging career highs in points (17.9), assists (3.0) and shooting percentage (48.1%). She has also recorded a career high in total rebounds (70) and steals (75).ESPN projects Fudd to be the Dallas Wings’ No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.A look at the complete list of candidates:Raegan Beers, Oklahoma Sooners Lauren Betts, UCLA Bruins Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt Commodores Madison Booker, Texas Longhorns Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State Buckeyes Audi Crooks, Iowa State Cyclones Joyce Edwards, South Carolina Gamecocks Azzi Fudd, UConn Huskies Rori Harmon, Texas Longhorns Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame Fighting Irish Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Tigers Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss Rebels Olivia Miles, TCU Horned Frogs Olivia Olson, Michigan Wolverines Sarah Strong, UConn Huskies
Kendra AndrewsMar 8, 2026, 02:00 PM ETMultiple Authors
Keys to the SEC championship game for South Carolina, Texas (2:09)SEC Now analysts Mike Neighbors and Steffi Sorensen break down what they believe will be the key matchups and more to the SEC Tournament title tilt between the Gamecocks and Longhorns (2:09)
Graduate student Azzi Fudd and sophomore Sarah Strong of the undefeated UConn Huskies headline the John R. Wooden Award top 15 ballot, which was announced Sunday.
Texas is the only other program with multiple players on the list, as junior Madison Booker and graduate student Rori Harmon made the cut.
The top three scorers in the nation also were included: Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes (21.7), Iowa State’s Audi Crooks (25.6) and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo (25.2).
After helping lead UConn to its third straight undefeated Big East regular season, Strong was named the conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Strong averaged 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks through 30 games this season. She recorded 13 20-point games and eight double-doubles, and she ranks seventh in the nation in steals (97) and 12th in steals per game (3.23).
In her final season at UConn, Fudd is averaging career highs in points (17.9), assists (3.0) and shooting percentage (48.1%). She has also recorded a career high in total rebounds (70) and steals (75).
The award is given annually to the best college basketball player in the country.
ESPN projects Fudd to be the Dallas Wings’ No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Raegan Beers, Oklahoma Sooners Lauren Betts, UCLA Bruins Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt Commodores Madison Booker, Texas Longhorns Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State Buckeyes Audi Crooks, Iowa State Cyclones Joyce Edwards, South Carolina Gamecocks Azzi Fudd, UConn Huskies Rori Harmon, Texas Longhorns Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame Fighting Irish Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Tigers Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss Rebels Olivia Miles, TCU Horned Frogs Olivia Olson, Michigan Wolverines Sarah Strong, UConn Huskies
Keys to the SEC championship game for South Carolina, Texas (2:09)SEC Now analysts Mike Neighbors and Steffi Sorensen break down what they believe will be the key matchups and more to the SEC Tournament title tilt between the Gamecocks and Longhorns (2:09)
SEC Now analysts Mike Neighbors and Steffi Sorensen break down what they believe will be the key matchups and more to the SEC Tournament title tilt between the Gamecocks and Longhorns (2:09)
Kendra AndrewsMar 8, 2026, 02:00 PM ETMultiple Authors