Gifted Clara Strack is a Center of the Year Finalist

UK Athletics Photo

Kentucky assistant coach Josh Petersen knew early this season just how special sophomore Clara Strack was.

“If anyone is a student of basketball, if you watch our games you see that she does so much more than just score,” Petersen said. “Teams do things to try and stop her and she still finds ways to make plays. She is unreal. The fact that I get to coach her is an absolute blessing.”

Strack has been named a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award  by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

The 6-5 center  is averaging 15.5 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 2.3 blocks per game and 0.8 steals per game going into Monday night’s game at Ole Miss. She is shooting 47.6 percent from the field through 21 games.

In SEC play, she is averaging almost a double-double — 14.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She is adding 2.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game also while shooting 44 percent from the field.

The Kentucky center leads the SEC in blocked shots and is third in rebounds.

Strack also had 10 double-doubles and has scored in double figures in 18 of 21 games and 15 or more points in 12 games. Five times she has scored 20 or more points.

Other finalists for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award are Audi Crooks, Iowa State; Ayoka Lee, Kansas State; Alexis Markowski, Nebraska; Raegan Beers, Oklahoma; Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State; Sedona Prince, TCU; Taylor Jones, Texas; Lauren Betts, UCLA: and Rayah Marshall, USC.

Peterson is obviously biased but loves what Strack can do on the court.

“I work with her directly. Coach (Kenny) Brooks has an incredible eye to see somebody’s potential,” Petersen said. “She was playing out of position for the last two years and is more of a five.

“She is a gifted athlete. She can play the 5 and defend bigger players and use her quickness. Her ability to work around the rim is unreal. Her shot blocking is unreal. The kid is unbelievable.

“Her confidence has grown. She really believes in what she can do. What makes her special is her energy and willingness to get better and her energy and enthusiasm are a huge part of why our team is successful.”