UConn's Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong headline the women's Wooden Award late midseason top 20 list, announced Tuesday night. The prestigious award recognizes the best college basketball player in the country. Strong, a sophomore, is considered the front-runner for national player of the year honors, averaging 19.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.2 steals per game while shooting 60.1% from the field.

Fudd, a senior and defending national champion, averages 17.4 points and shoots 44.8% from three-point range for the undefeated Huskies. She's projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. LSU leads all schools with three players on the list: MiLaysia Fulwiley, Flau'jae Johnson, and Mikaylah Williams. Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas each have two representatives.

The list includes the nation's top three scorers: Iowa State's Audi Crooks (25.9 PPG), Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes (25.9 PPG), and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo (24.9 PPG). UConn remains undefeated at 25-0 overall and 14-0 in Big East play, solidifying their position as the team to beat in women's college basketball this season.