Kentucky women's basketball star Clara Strack has had a heck of a year by any standard. Even if head coach Kenny Brooks called her the "worst superstar" he has ever coached, the rest of the nation is starting to realize just how elite she actually is. In fact, her combined stats are only ever seen with one other player: Candace Parker.
On Wednesday, the accolades became official: Strack is one of five finalists for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award and was named a USA Today All-America Second Team selection.
The Lisa Leslie announcement was made by Leslie herself on CBS Sports' We Need To Talk, solidifying Strack's place as one of the most versatile and dominant bigs in the modern era of the SEC.
Clara Strack has the stats of a beast
Strack’s monster year has been a statistical anomaly. She is currently averaging 17.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.58 blocks per game. To put that in perspective, she is the only player in the nation to average at least 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks this season.
She is literally 1-of-1.
But it’s more than just the paint presence. Strack has joined legendary company like Candace Parker, becoming just the second player in SEC history to record 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 1,000+ points, 150+ blocks, 125+ assists, and 50+ steals within her first two seasons in the conference.
I mean if you are doing things only Candace Parker has ever done, that's elite company.
The tough love transformation
The "worst superstar" comment from Kenny Brooks wasn't just a soundbite of a coach looking to get some attention; it was a direct challenge. Brooks recently noted that after a tough conversation regarding her intensity, Strack has been "on fire," scoring 20+ points in 3 of 4 games since, and even dropped a historic 33 points with five 3-pointers in the SEC Tournament against Georgia.
As Brooks told the press, he expects his team to "play a lot of basketball" this month. If that's going to happen, the 6-foot-5 junior will be the one lifting the heaviest load.
Selection Sunday stakes
The regular season and SEC Tournament fireworks have put Kentucky in a prime position. On Sunday, the Cats will find out if they did enough to be ranked in the top 16. If they do, it means the road to the Sweet 16 goes through Lexington, with the first and second rounds hosted at HMC.