As the women's college basketball season crosses its midpoint, one player has separated herself from the rest of the field with undeniable excellence. Sarah Strong, the sophomore forward from the University of Connecticut, has earned the distinction of being the only unanimous selection to the USA TODAY Sports midseason All-American team, cementing her status as the premier talent in the nation.
The Huskies continue their dominant run with a perfect 17-0 record, maintaining their position atop the USA TODAY Sports women's college coaches poll. This undefeated streak extends even further when including last season's championship run, reaching an impressive 34 consecutive victories. As the defending national champions, UConn shows no signs of relinquishing their throne, and Strong serves as the engine driving this juggernaut.
What makes Strong such a special talent? Coaches and analysts have struggled to find adequate comparisons, resorting to calling her a "unicorn" and even drawing parallels to NBA superstar Nikola Jokic. This praise stems from her rare ability to impact every facet of the game at an elite level. She possesses the physicality to battle inside with post players, the shooting touch to drain three-pointers consistently, the ball-handling skills to initiate the offense, the vision to create for teammates, and the defensive instincts to disrupt opponents.
The numbers tell a story of unprecedented efficiency and versatility. Strong is averaging 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.7 steals, and 1.4 blocks per contest. Her shooting splits are remarkable: 60% from the field, 42.4% from beyond the arc, and 88.9% from the charity stripe. She's flirting with the coveted 50-40-90 club while maintaining volume scoring. Advanced metrics further validate her impact—she leads the entire nation in win shares (4.6) and defensive rating (55.6), while ranking fourth in points-per-scoring-attempt (1.39).
The significance of being a unanimous selection cannot be overstated. In a sport with so many talented players across dozens of competitive programs, achieving consensus among voters signals a level of dominance that transcends regional biases or conference affiliations. It means that every evaluator, watching different games and analyzing different metrics, arrived at the same conclusion: Sarah Strong is in a class of her own this season. This rare achievement places her in exclusive company among the sport's all-time greats.
Joining Strong on this prestigious list is Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame, a player who has redefined two-way excellence in women's college basketball. Hidalgo leads the country with an astounding 5.9 steals per game while also pouring in 25.1 points nightly, the second-highest scoring average nationally. The two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year has her sights set on the national defensive award this season.
Her impact was never more evident than in a recent victory over North Carolina, where she completely dismantled the Tar Heels' game plan. North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart couldn't help but express her frustration after the game: "Hidalgo was a real problem. Obviously, she disrupted us in all ways, I think most of Notre Dame's 27 points off turnovers was because of her. And then I thought offensively, she was able to really pick on all types of all screen coverages." This testimony from a rival coach speaks volumes about Hidalgo's ability to dominate both ends of the floor.
What makes Hidalgo's defensive numbers even more impressive is the energy she expends on offense. Typically, players who shoulder such heavy scoring loads conserve effort on defense. Hidalgo defies this convention, using her quick hands, anticipatory instincts, and relentless motor to terrorize ball-handlers. Her 5.9 steals per game isn't just a product of gambling—it's a reflection of fundamentally sound defense combined with exceptional athleticism. She reads passing lanes like a quarterback, anticipates dribble moves before they happen, and possesses the lateral quickness to stay in front of even the shiftiest guards.
Representing the Big 12, Rori Booker from Texas has established herself as the catalyst for a legitimate Final Four contender. Booker ranks second nationally in win shares, trailing only Sarah Strong, while contributing 19.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Her efficiency has reached new heights this season, shooting a career-best 51.8% from the floor while also averaging 2.6 steals per game.
The Longhorns recently suffered their first setback of the season, a 70-65 loss at LSU, but Booker's performance demonstrated why she's considered among the elite. She tallied 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds, keeping her team competitive against a tough conference opponent. Texas remains poised for another deep tournament run, largely because of Booker's leadership and all-around production.
Booker's development represents the ideal trajectory for a modern college basketball star. She has improved her shooting percentage while maintaining her scoring volume, indicating smarter shot selection and enhanced offensive skills. Her 7.3 rebounds per game from the guard position demonstrate her commitment to winning plays, while her 4.1 assists reveal her playmaking growth. This statistical profile—efficient scoring, rebounding, passing, and defense—epitomizes the complete player that championship teams build around. Her presence makes everyone around her better.
Vanderbilt has emerged as one of the season's biggest surprises, climbing to No. 5 in the coaches poll with a program-record 17-0 start. The driving force behind this historic run is Mikayla Blakes, a 5-foot-8 guard who has taken the SEC by storm. Blakes leads the conference with 24.9 points per game, the third-highest average in the nation. She has scored in double figures in every single game this season and has already recorded four 30-point performances, showcasing her scoring prowess and consistency.
Blakes' impact extends beyond just putting points on the board. She has single-handedly elevated Vanderbilt from a respectable program to a legitimate top-five team. In the hyper-competitive SEC, where powerhouse programs like South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee traditionally dominate, Blakes has announced that the Commodores are a force to be reckoned with. Her ability to score against any defensive scheme—whether facing box-and-ones, double teams, or switching defenses—has made her virtually unguardable. She creates space with tight handles, explodes to the rim with surprising athleticism, and shoots with confidence from anywhere inside half-court.
The selection process for this midseason honor involved USA TODAY Sports staffers Heather Burns, Meghan Hall, Cydney Henderson, and Mitchell Northam, who carefully evaluated countless performances across the nation. Their consensus recognized not just statistical dominance but also impact on winning, leadership, and the ability to elevate teammates. This holistic approach ensures that the selections represent true value rather than empty numbers on a stat sheet. They watched film, analyzed advanced metrics, considered strength of schedule, and weighed clutch performances in big moments.
As Selection Sunday approaches in approximately two months, these four standouts have positioned themselves as frontrunners for postseason accolades. Strong's unanimous selection signals her as the player to beat for National Player of the Year honors, while Hidalgo's defensive mastery, Booker's all-around excellence, and Blakes' scoring explosion have all made indelible marks on the season. The race for All-American honors will intensify, but these players have built substantial leads.
The landscape of women's college basketball continues to evolve, with parity increasing across conferences. Yet these individual talents remind us that greatness still shines brightest when the pressure is highest. Their respective teams have combined for a 68-1 record, demonstrating that elite individual performance often translates directly to team success. This correlation isn't coincidental—these players don't just produce numbers; they change the geometry of the game, forcing opponents to alter entire game plans.
For UConn, the path to another championship runs through Strong's versatility. For Notre Dame, Hidalgo's defensive tenacity sets the tone. For Texas, Booker's steady hand guides their ambitions. And for Vanderbilt, Blakes' scoring has put them on the national map in ways the program hasn't experienced in years. Each player serves as the cornerstone of their team's identity.
The second half of the season promises more marquee matchups, conference battles, and opportunities for these stars to further solidify their legacies. With March Madness on the horizon, the race for All-American honors and national championships is heating up, and these four players have already staked their claim as the ones to watch. The question isn't whether they'll be impactful, but rather how high they can elevate their games when the stakes are highest. College basketball fans should savor these performances, as we're witnessing something special—a convergence of generational talents all reaching their peaks simultaneously.