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No. 1 UConn’s Sarah Strong begins season as AP national player of the week

No. 1 UConn's Sarah Strong begins season as AP national player of the week | iNFOnews.ca
UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) looks to shoot as Florida State forward Allie Kubek (0) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

The Associated Press national player of the week in women’s basketball for Week 1 of the season:

Sarah Strong, UConn

The sophomore forward averaged 21.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists to go with two blocks and two steals in the top-ranked Huskies’ wins over then-No. 20 Louisville and Florida State. She had a double-double in the season opener against the Cardinals. She followed that up with a 21-point, nine-rebound performance in just 23 minutes against the Seminoles.

Runner-Up

Taliah Scott, Baylor. The redshirt sophomore guard had 24 points in then-No. 16 Baylor’s win over then-No. 7 Duke to open the season, which was the most points in a victory over a Top 25 team last week. She followed that up with another strong performance against Lindenwood, shooting 56% from the field, including making five 3-pointers. She averaged 26.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the two wins.

Honorable Mention

Hannah Hidalgo, No. 18 Notre Dame; Aislin Malcolm, Robert Morris; Liv McGill, Florida.

Keep an eye on

Columbia guard Riley Weiss led the Lions to a pair of road wins over Butler and Ohio. She had 27 in the overtime win over the Bulldogs to open the season, scoring nine of the team’s final 14 points in regulation to erase a seven-point deficit and force OT. The junior then added 18 points in just 25 minutes against Ohio.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP mobile app). AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

No. 1 UConn's Sarah Strong begins season as AP national player of the week | iNFOnews.ca
UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) is congratulated by teammates after making a basket while being fouled in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida State, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
No. 1 UConn's Sarah Strong begins season as AP national player of the week | iNFOnews.ca
Baylor guard Taliah Scott (0) drives to the basket past Lindenwood forward Gracie Kelsey, left, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (Chris Jones/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)

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