Sarah Strong set to overtake UConn legend Maya Moore with impressive freshman season 

Sarah Strong is on track to replicate the legendary career of UConn Huskies icon Maya Moore. Strong drew comparisons with the Women's Basketball Hall of Famer after HighlightHER on Monday compared their numbers from their respective freshman seasons on Instagram.

Strong is off to a phenomenal start in her first season at UConn, averaging 17.5 points, a team-best 7.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists through 15 games. She also leads the Huskies in field goal percentage, shooting at a high 57.1% clip. Her numbers are similar to Moore's when she started her career in Storrs in the 2007-08 NCAA season.

Moore averaged 17.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 3.1 apg in her first season with UConn. She was also efficient on the offensive end, shooting 54.3% from the field for the Huskies, who finished the season with a 36-2 record.

Moore helped UConn reach the Final Four, where they lost to Stanford in the national semifinals. She led the Huskies in the 82-73 defeat, recording 20 points, nine boards and three blocks.

Sarah Strong posting Maya Moore-like numbers to start her UConn career

Sarah Strong is having the same kind of effect at UConn that Maya Moore had when she started her career with the Huskies. Strong has powered UConn to a 13-2 start, with the Associated Press listing the Huskies as the No. 7 team in their rankings.

Strong has been an important offensive contributor for the Huskies, scoring in double figures in each of her first 15 games. She immediately displayed her talent in UConn's season opener against Boston University on Nov. 7, scoring 17 points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out three assists in the Huskies' 86-32 win. Strong also was a disruptive force on the defensive end, recording a game-high six steals against the Terriers.

Sarah Strong (#21) of the UConn Huskies is defended by Meg Cahalan (#4) of the Holy Cross Crusaders during the first half of their NCAA women's basketball game at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on Dec. 3, 2024 in Storrs, Connecticut. Photo: Getty

Furthermore, she has scored at least 20 points in six games this season, including a 29-point explosion in UConn's 101-68 win over Iowa State on Dec. 17. She shot 10-of-18 from the field and knocked down a career-high five 3-pointers in that contest.

Strong led the Huskies to their third straight win on Sunday, scoring a game-high 21 points in UConn's 83-52 win over the Villanova Wildcats. She stepped up in the absence of Paige Bueckers, who suffered a knee injury in the third quarter.