Sarah Strong has been one of UConn’s freshest breakout stars since last season. But not many know hooping runs in her genes – a family legacy that she’s carrying further forward. Sarah Strong and her mother Allison Feaster recently joined Kayla Burton in a recent episode of “Hoopin,” reflecting on growing up around basketball.
Feaster is a former WNBA All-Star, having played for the Los Angeles Sparks, Charlotte Sting, and Indiana Fever during her stint. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Team Operations & Organizational Growth for the Boston Celtics in the NBA.
Turns out, Feaster can be quite domineering and demanding of her child as a veteran of the sport.
“We’ve been on the court in a teaching capacity maybe once. I’m pretty demanding,” said Feaster.
Narrating one such incident, Sarah recalled,
“I was like practicing with my team and then she’s like, ‘Just go. Like go sit down. You don’t want to be here.'”
Sarah’s mom believes in the right amount of toughness as that’s how one becomes the best of the crop and eventual champions. Be it your daughter or anyone else, for Feaster, one needs to step on the court with a reason. And sure enough, Sarah Strong has proven just that with a phenomenal freshman season for UConn in women’s college basketball.
Sarah Strong’s mom and Dawn Staley were teammates in the WNBA
Sarah Strong’s mom, Allison Feaster, has strong ties with South Carolina’s head coach Dawn Staley. In fact, both of them were teammates during Feaster’s stint with the Charlotte Sting. However, despite having family ties with coach Staley and the Gamecocks, Strong joined Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies in 2024.
Strong played a pivotal role in the Huskies ending South Carolina’s 71-game unbeaten streak at Colonial Life Arena this February. During the pre-game news conference, Staley joked about missing out on Strong’s commitment, as she could have been a great addition to the Gamecocks’ roster.
“I don’t know how we don’t get Sarah Strong. I don’t, right?” Staley said. “They did a great job recruiting her. I think she felt comfortable there. It seems like a really good fit for her, and her being able to utilize all of her skill set. And I haven’t talked to Allison since. No, I’m kidding. I’m kidding. I’m kidding. I’m kidding.”
Dawn Staley and Allison Feaster, Sarah Strong’s mom, were WNBA teammates.
“Idk how we don’t get Sarah Strong. I don’t. But they did a great job recruiting her… It seems like a really good fit for her…
And I haven’t talked to Allison since. I’m kidding!”@GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/SFVzpEkDmT
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) February 14, 2025
Perhaps, coach Staley’s regret was justified. In the National Championship game, the freshman forward posted 24 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists for the Huskies in a blowout 82-59 against the Gamecocks. Strong was named the Division I WBCA Freshman of the Year following a phenomenal season with the UConn Huskies.
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