NCAAW: Sarah Strong headlines superb sophomore superstars

The 2024-25 NCAA freshman class impressed, but now, another year into their collegiate careers, it’s time for them to take the next step and take their teams to a higher level.

Many of these now-sophomores are set to be the best player and key voice for their Power 4 programs. Can they step up and help deliver a national title to their schools?

Here are three sophomores who are set to shape the women’s college basketball landscape in the season ahead:

Sarah Strong is an easy choice.

As a freshman, she was the AAC Rookie of the Year and was named to the AP All-America Second Team. She averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds, which already makes her one of the best frontcourt players in the nation.

Now with more experience under her belt, along with a national championship, Strong has a chance to be the face of the No. 1-ranked Huskies for years to come.

This is Strong’s moment, and if her freshman year is any indication, she’ll be even better in Year 2.

Joyce Edwards (South Carolina)

Another player who should be even better in her second season is Joyce Edwards.

With South Carolina, she put up modest numbers, averaging 12.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Edwards may not have had gaudy offensive production, but she made an impact whenever she was on the floor. And in March, she had one of her better games of the year, scoring 22 points in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Cracking the South Carolina depth chart is always hard. Head coach Dawn Staley runs a tight ship. However, Edwards has done so and will make strides this year.

She’ll have the opportunity to put her name alongside former South Carolina frontcourt stalwarts like Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso and Sania Feagin, improving season by season during her time as a Gamecock.

Syla Swords was a monster for Michigan last year.

As a freshman, she averaged 16 points and grabbed 6.2 rebounds per game. With her Canadian National Team experience and all-round talent, Swords was able to hit the ground running in her first year.

Now, her sophomore encore is set to be even better.

Ranked at No. 13, Michigan will be in the running not just for the Big Ten title, but a national championship. How far the Wolverines go will depend on how much Swords steps up. Based on the data we have from her freshman year, she will not only deliver, but her play will cause headaches for all the Wolverines’ opponents.