UConn women’s basketball freshman Sarah Strong will enter her first collegiate season as a four-time international gold medalist after leading Team USA to victory at the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Friday.

The team composed of Strong, Duke freshman Arianna Roberson, No. 3 2025 prospect Jasmine Davidson and 2026 five-star Saniyah Hall went 7-0 in the tournament to secure the U.S. its eighth consecutive gold medal in U18 women’s 3×3 basketball. Strong logged six points in a 21-19 win over Japan in the championship game, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. She scored a combined 50 points across seven games at the World Cup.

Golden girl

Sarah Strong led the USA to gold and was named tournament MVP at the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup! pic.twitter.com/AIgsQVT0QR

— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) August 30, 2024

The gold medal is Strong’s second in the last three months after she helped the U.S. to an eleventh straight win in 5×5 at the U18 FIBA AmeriCup in June. It was also Strong’s third appearance with the 3×3 national team, previously earning gold as the youngest member of the 2022 and 2023 U18 World Cup squads. UConn sophomore KK Arnold was also a part of the 2022 roster.

Strong, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024, was already set to join the Huskies as one of the most decorated high school players in the country. The Cary, North Carolina native led Grace Christian Academy to three consecutive state championships, averaging 21.3 points, 16.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 blocks per game in her senior season. She was the Naismith High School Player of the Year and co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game.