UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) is guarded by Villanova forward Brynn McCurry (13) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)2026-03-18T15:54:37Z Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd helped UConn to an undefeated season heading into March Madness. The pair became the first teammates in six years to make The Associated Press All-America team.Its the 10th time that teammates have made the first team, seven of those involving UConn players. The last pair to achieve the feat was Oregons Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard in 2020.Strong and Fudd were joined by Vanderbilts Mikayla Blakes, UCLAs Lauren Betts and Texas Madison Booker.Strong was a unanimous choice from the 31-member national media panel that chooses the AP Top 25 each week. Blakes and Betts received all but two first-place votes.Strong, who set numerous records as a freshmen for the Huskies, raised her game in her sophomore season, helping the No. 1 Huskies to a perfect record heading into the NCAA Tournament. She averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game and shot 60.1% from the field. Fudd was right behind her, with 17.7 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 43.6% from the 3-point line. Im thrilled for Azzi and Sarah. They worked really hard this season and theyre great teammates, UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. Its been a long time coming for Azzi. Shes worked through so many hardships in her time at UConn, and its great to see all her perseverance pay off. Sarah picked up where she left off last season and has been so consistently good and reliable for us. Im happy for them individually, but I know it means a lot for them to get this accomplishment together as well. Blakes has had a sensational sophomore season, leading the country in scoring with 27 points a game. She also averaged 4.4 assists and shot 45.8% from the field.Mikayla has cemented herself as one of the best players in the country as she continues to bring our team and program to new heights while staying laser-focused on winning, Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph said. She continues to do everything our team needs to put us in position to be successful and has elevated her play all season long against the toughest competition in the country. View and download the womens NCAA tournament bracket Vanderbilt had one of the best seasons in school history behind Blakes, who became only the second first-team All-American ever for the Commodores, joining Chantelle Anderson in 2002. Mikayla has changed the trajectory of our program by making everyone around her better and by betting on herself to create a legacy here at Vanderbilt, Ralph said. She is both deserving and has earned being named first-team All-American, and we are so proud to be on this journey with her and so happy for her recognition!Betts averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds and shot 60.1% from the field for UCLA. Its the second straight season the senior post player has earned first-team All-America honors. Last year she became the first Bruins player ever to receive that accolade.Lauren Betts is a generational player; shes had incredible impact on the game. Im not surprised for this honor, but Im also thrilled for her and so excited for what shes earned, UCLA coach Cori Close said. Shes been not only impactful on a on-court and individual level, but also on a team and program level. This is well deserved for Lauren. Booker earned first-team All-America honors for the second consecutive season. She averaged 18.9 points and 6.5 rebounds and shot 51.6% from the field. The junior wing helped the Longhorns win the SEC Tournament with a victory over South Carolina in the title game.She has the vision and passing skills of a point guard. She enjoys the pass and the assist as much as the bucket, Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. She can score at all three levels, but her ability to rise above the defense, create space and get her shot off is what sets her apart from everyone else. Her work ethic and investment in her game is elite. She sees the game and understands the game like a 15-year pro.Strong, Betts, Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and TaNiya Latson were all on the preseason All-America team.Second teamThe AP second team was headlined by Notre Dames Hannah Hidalgo, a member of the first team in her first two seasons. She was joined by South Carolinas Joyce Edwards, TCUs Olivia Miles, Iowa States Audi Crooks and Ohio States Jaloni Cambridge. Third teamThe AP third team was LSUs FlauJae Johnson, Michigans Olivia Olson, UCLAs Kiki Rice, Dukes Toby Fournier and South Carolinas Raven Johnson.Honorable mentionClara Strack of Kentucky, Rori Harmon of Texas and Cotie McMahon of Mississippi were the leading vote getters among players who didnt make the three All-America teams. Players earned honorable-mention status if they appeared on one of the ballots.___AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site