Born in Conway, Arkansas, she went to Morrilton High School, which she helped lead to a state championship in 2006, and played collegiately for the Tennessee Lady Vols.

[2] Source[3] Stricklen was a member of the USA Women's U18 team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The event was held in July 2008, when the USA team defeated host Argentina to win the championship.

[5] Stricklen played on the team presenting the US at the 2011 World University Games held in Shenzhen, China.

[7][8] On January 28, 2015 Stricklen was traded along with Camille Little to the Connecticut Sun for Renee Montgomery, and the third and fifteen overall picks of the 2015 WNBA draft.