A former WNBA superstar, Candace Parker, and a WNBA star-in-the-making, Aliyah Boston, recently debated on who should take home this year’s National Player of the Year award, Sarah Strong or Mikayla Blakes.
On Sunday, March 15, the joint podcast of Parker and Boston, the “Post Moves” show, uploaded a clip from its most recent episode on Instagram, where they narrowed down their candidates for the NPOY award.
Both Parker and Boston collectively agreed that the 2026 NPOY award should be won either by UConn Huskies stalwart Sarah Strong or Vanderbilt Commodores guard Mikayla Blakes.
Both Parker and Boston agreed on Strong being the favorite to win the prestigious individual honor in college basketball. But they did point out that Blakes’ ability to rise to the occasion alone should insert her into NPOY conversations.
“ Who’s your National Player of the Year? Sarah Strong. I think, common sense, like a top player, would be Sarah Strong. But let’s give it up to Mikayla Blakes. Oh, a hundred percent. No, no, I am a McKayla Blake’s fan completely, okay? I think she’s, because what she’s been doing is tremendous, but in the toughest conference in the country against top-five opponents night in, night out, has been unbelievable. So, I think it’s between those two,” both Parker and Boston shared in unison.
“Sarah Strong or Mikayla Blakes as the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year? 🤔🍿 Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston debate who should win the award 👀,” @postmovesshow on Instagram captioned with several emojis.
Nevertheless, both Parker and Boston felt that the winner should be decided based on how they have fared in the 2025-26 campaign. Strong is in her second year of collegiate hoops under the tutelage of coach Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut-based program, looking to win her second NCAA title. Meanwhile, Blakes is also in her sophomore stint with coach Shea Ralph’s Commodores.
Sarah Strong Vs. Mikayla Blakes: Head-To-Head Stats
Sarah Strong is averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks in around 26.4 minutes a game. Mikayla Blakes is tallying around 27.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.9 steals in 34.7 minutes per contest.
While each player has an edge stats-wise, what may separate them from each other is the fact that Strong and her team are currently undefeated with an overall record of 34-0 (20-0 Big East).
Read More: ‘Cant Wait to See Your Moves’: Paige Bueckers Drops Ecstatic Comment on Sarah Strong’s Big East Celebrations Post
Also Read: Dawn Staley’s Punishment Revealed as Aliyah Boston Recalls Unique Gamecocks Treatment
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