US EditionUConn’s Sarah Strong, KK Arnold land on Naismith Defensive Player of the Year midseason watchlist
UConn's Sarah Strong leads nationally in advanced defensive metrics while KK Arnold averages 2.7 steals per game, highlighting their strong defensive impact this season.
- On Tuesday, Sophomore Sarah Strong and junior point guard KK Arnold were named to the 25-player Naismith Defensive Player of the Year midseason watchlist, making UConn one of just two programs with multiple players on the list.
- Advanced defensive metrics show why both players made the list, as Sarah Strong leads the country in defensive rating, win shares, and box plus/minus, while KK Arnold ranks top 10 nationally in rating and box plus/minus.
- No UConn woman has previously won the Defensive Player award, yet Sophomore Sarah Strong is a frontrunner for the Naismith Trophy and could become the youngest Defensive Player winner.
- UConn's defense has produced an 11-0 Big East start, and the Huskies have yet to allow more than 70 points this season, with scoring defense at 51 points per game and top-10 national ranks in forced turnovers and opponent field-goal percentage.
- The midseason list includes past contenders such as UCLA center Lauren Betts and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, with Betts winning the 2025 award over Hidalgo, JuJu Watkins and JJ Quinerly.
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Hartford Courant
The SaratogianUConn’s Sarah Strong, KK Arnold land on Naismith Defensive Player of the Year midseason watchlist
The UConn women's basketball team has two representatives on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year midseason watchlist released Tuesday.
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