Geno Auriemma's UConn star Sarah Strong and LSU's Mikaylah Williams named in the 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Cup squad

Two of the brightest young stars in college basketball, Sarah Strong from UConn and Mikaylah Williams from LSU have both been named in the USA squad for the 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

USA Basketball confirmed the squad on Friday, with Strong and Williams set to team up with former Creighton standout Morgan Maly and Oklahoma forward Sahara Williams. The tournament will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June 23 to June 29.

With this group, the U.S. will be hoping to keep up their dominance in the competition, having won the FIBA 3x3 World Cup four times already, in 2012, 2014, 2022 and 2023, making them one of the most successful teams in the event’s history.

Sarah Strong is coming off a great freshman year at UConn under Geno Auriemma. She was named Big East Freshman of the Year and averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, helping the Huskies win the national championship.

She is also not a stranger to 3x3 success either, with three straight FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Williams also had a solid individual sophomore season with LSU, making the All-SEC First Team after averaging 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Like Strong, she has also won three FIBA 3x3 U18 gold medals between 2021 and 2023.

Maly brings extra experience, having played WNBA preseason games with the Connecticut Sun after entering the draft this year following five collegiate years.

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Sarah Strong took center stage for UConn in the title game

In the NCAA championship game earlier this year, Sarah Strong stepped up for UConn when it mattered most. With stars like Paige Bueckers and the experienced Azzi Fudd in the team, not many thought she would be the standout performer against defending champions, South Carolina.

However, she posted a game-high in every category, with 24 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals.

With Bueckers gone to the WNBA this year as the No. 1 pick, the Huskies look set to build around Strong next season. She has already received high praise from notable figures in women’s basketball, including Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley.