Connecticut Sun Update

What you're all been waiting for

If you didn’t know a lot about women’s basketball, the Caitlin Clark phenomenon must have been hard to fathom. Why would one guard sharp-shooting guard from a landlocked state few people think about, even if they live there, garner so much attention?

It all boils down the WNBA schedule. To appreciate the Clark phenomenon, you have to understand a few things:

First, the Connecticut Sun open their season at home against the Indiana Fever.

Second, the Indiana Fever had first pick in this year’s WNBA draft.

Third, the Connecticut Sun are coming off a qualitatively, if not quantitively, unparalleled season - a season that some, including us here at the Update, call the greatest viewing experience in sports - and most sports fans of all stripes have just been biding their time until the WNBA season reopens, getting by on hardship substitutes like the MLB playoffs, the NFL season, and March Madness in the meantime.

Savvy fans put this all together - while journeying through the long, empty offseason, they wanted just a taste of anticipation for the Connecticut Sun home opener. But of course none of the Sun were playing domestically in major televised events, nor were any of their WNBA opponents. And with the Sun picking at the #10 spot, it was impossible to know who would even be on the board at the time, much less who the Sun would pick.

And then Caitlin Clark started breaking records.

The more records Clark broke, the closer the fans got to seeing a certain #1 overall draft pack, which meant someone who would play for the Fever, and thus in the first Sun game of the season - the game everyone had been waiting for since the fall. Even just increasing the certainty she would be in the opener from 99.1% to 99.2% (“she really is that good - there’s no way she doesn’t make the roster, then”) represented a 0.1% increased chance increase in seeing someone who would play in the Connecticut Sun home opener, and with the value of any association with the Sun being at an all time high, the anticipation became a national phenomenon. It makes sense - just a tiny fractional sliver of the sun’s light sustains all of human life, and just a tiny sliver of the Connecticut Sun sustains the life of sports fans.

On May 14th, we’ll finally see the Sun in action - and incidentally, Clark.

But which of the Connecticut Sun will we see? All potential Sun are great, but not all can be rostered. If you’re a fan of sports - indeed, of human life - then I’m just telling you what you already know, but it’s go over it again - YOUR Connecticut Sun training camp roster & friends.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

Jonquel Jones… Courtney Williams… Tiffany Hayes… Bec Allen… Natisha Hiedeman. The players the Sun have lost in the last couple years could form a pretty good starting five, if a little small (you’d have to play Allen at the 4, which she did a few times defensively in the playoffs, though it doesn’t fit her offensive skillset). Throw in a retiring Jasmine Thomas, plus Odyssey Sims, Nia Clouden, and Joyner Holmes, and the team has some depth. So how could you lose that much talent and still compete?

The answer is, the Sun are just that resilient. How can one player lose two labra and her primary shooting hand and still be an MVP candidate? How can any team stay good for a long time, in a league where the only way to get better is to be bad and win the lottery? How can a team stationed at one casino deliver the first regular season loss to a team from a city with 175 casinos, and all the luck those extra casinos deliver? It seems impossible, but they make it work.

In 2023, the Sun under Coach of the Year (and rookie) Stephanie White switched to a “modern, three-point-focused” offense, paradoxically centered on a player who can’t shoot from the outside, with shoulder injuries limiting her to a one-handed push shot. Alyssa Thomas is one of the best passers, drivers, and screeners in the game, and consistently found ways to play her teammates open for quick threes. Offensive rebounding and defense remained team strengths, if a little diminished with the lack of Jonquel Jones, but the perimeter play was a bit improved, especially with great off-ball movement and a mix of looks. Three point-focused offenses can get boring when only one or two players attack, and everyone else spreads and waits for the catch and shoot. NBA fans remember the James Harden Rockets. But when the guards are all in motion, looking to drive and cut as well as shoot a quick three, it makes for a thrilling game.

On the other side of the ball, Connecticut relied on solid team play - smart, tenacious defense, which started with Curt Miller’s squad and is continuing under White as the offense evolves - and also two particularly talented defenders: First, Alyssa Thomas, who has the quick hands, strength, and agility to play on-ball defense against opponents and nearly any position, while also using her basketball IQ and stamina to play smart and active help defense, sometimes thwarting multiple actions in a single possession. And second, the lanky Bec Allen, who used her long wingspan and speed to shut down players from the perimeter all the way to the basket. Against teams like the Liberty, who had multiple elite threats, Allen was instrumental in shutting down quick-shooting guards, and the team defense suffered in the playoffs when she had foul trouble or had to miss time for illness.

Allen, who left for Phoenix with a sign-and-trade deal, will be one of the hardest players to replace. Moriah Jefferson, who came over in the trade, is similarly a “D-and-3” player (and is well-loved as a former UConn Husky), but lacks Allen’s height and length. Draft pick Helena Pueyo, who led the Pac 12 in steals and shot threes at a high percentage, may fill a similar role as well, but she’s a rookie and still has to make a competitive roster. The interior defense will get some help with Brionna Jones, who missed most of last season with an Achilles injury, and whose absence made Thomas have to play the 4 and 5 more often, taking her out of those outside assignments. But it will take some adjustment to find the right defensive balance.

So, without further ado, the cast:

RETURNING “Big 3”

Stephanie White has said she has “no idea” who the starters are, but three seem to be no-brainers even for one with no ideas.

Alyssa Thomas (point forward)- AT had a history-making season, of course, nearly leading the league in both assists and rebounds, setting a record for triple doubles, and getting the most first-place MVP votes, although she ended up coming in second to A’ja Wilson because she also got the most third-place votes while Wilson and Breanna Stewart each had more second-place votes. There’s only so much you can say about how much she does both on offense and defense - it’s a moment to bear witness.

The flip-side to AT doing so much for the team is that it’s scary to be so reliant on one key player, especially when she has a history of injuries, is in the last year of her contract, and is now about to enter her mid-30s, without really having an offseason or even many minutes of rest. There’s also the vulnerability in offense that comes from her lack of an outside shot - so far, she’s found counters to every defense that’s been thrown at her, but might one of the other contenders have the code this time?

There’s no doubt AT will keep finding ways to win, but it will take a whole squad, so we’ll have to see how much help she’ll have.

DeWanna Bonner (big guard / small forward) - DB is another player who reached new heights in some ways last year. At ages 35-36, she set a career high for 3 pointers made, tying her best mark for efficiency, and in fewer minutes than she played earlier in her career. And she also scored on drives, cuts, and a great mid-range game with some new tricks, while having to take on more interior defense without Bri Jones. But of course aging and health are always concerns, and giving her minutes to rest, as well as more help on offense, will be crucial. She has vowed to be with Alyssa Thomas forever (wedding date TBD), but she might not with the team or the league for too many years more, so we’ll have to enjoy the years when we have them.

Brionna Jones (center / power forward) - Another excellent player, another player with health questions, coming off a devastating Achilles injury (which she does seem to be recovered from, but you wonder about durability and quickness, which was never her strong suit before). Though Bri is only 28, she often seems a bit like an older Tim Duncan (though a lot more outgoing and vocal in personality). She has strength, fundamentals, and a quick mind for the game, even if other players can outjump her or move more quickly. Before the injury, she was finding success in the high-low pick and roll with AT, and it will be fun to watch what new wrinkles develop as Steph White’s offense reaches maturity.

Now, this Achilles injury makes us wonder - will she continue to Hector opponents with great shot-blocking and tough interior play? And what about when she’s in the frontcourt with AT - this Paris very talented, but lacks outside shooting. Will she be able to infiltrate defensive schemes like the Trojan Horse? And what about the ref that keeps getting her in foul trouble? Odious, he is. Anyway I think she’ll have a great season, even after the ills she had, but I may just be a Homer.

CERTAIN TO NOT BE THERE - TWO STASH PICKS

The Sun’s first and last 2024 draft picks have something in common - they aren’t coming over quite yet, one playing in France and the other… well I don’t know exactly, still trying to get a handle on the non-invite thing.

Leila Lacan - The French guard is only 19, but has already showed a lot of potential, particularly praised for quick cuts and change of direction. When she comes over - and we don’t know when - she’ll be instrumental in White’s plan to run the infamous Lacanian “Jouissance triangle offence.”

The oft-inscrutable offense is best known for its deployment in Spanish professional soccer, where one of the three teams that ran it has achieved great fame. Unfortunately, Symbolic Madrid and Imaginary Madrid failed the achieve the same success as their counterpart, likely due to less direct relation to their jouissance.

Abbey Hsu - Now we just saw three shoo-ins for a roster, but in this case we have a Hsu-out - she’s not coming to camp. Hsu dominated the Ivy League competition this year, which is not as impressive as you might think if you’re familiar with ivy from gardening. The defenses at elite schools are nowhere near as tenacious and hard to free yourself from as the invasive English vine. Still, a record-setting season is impressive, and with her three-point shooting skills, teams may soon be calling her “Downton Abbey” on account of where she shoots from.

THE GUARDIANS

Connecticut’s “big 3” is competitive with some of the best frontcourts in the league, but who will be the “small 2” to accompany them? It’s a little bit less clear-cut, which I wish was true of more of our forests, being less clear-cut that is. A mix of new and familiar faces are almost sure to be in the rotation, though hopefully, with solid defensive assignments, they’re not put “in rotation” by opposing offenses too often.

Tyasha Harris - Ty Harris, they call her, but they may be calling her Wynn Harris if she can continue to improve and outmatch more opponents. She upped her game significantly last year, thriving in the new offensive scheme, improving her defensive fundamentals, and combining her speed in transition with increased court awareness. Her decision making keeps getting better, and without Tiffany Hayes or Natisha Hiedeman, she’ll get called on more often to contribute, which should mean that by playoff time, we may see her more confident initiating on offense.

Inside scoop: observing her snacking in practice, we learned she likes to eat Goldfishes - perhaps because they’re so delicious. This judgment should serve her well on court.

Moriah Jefferson - “Mo Jeff” - it’s something you’ll never hear the audience clamoring for after Mr. Ross’s comedy appearances, but it’s a name you’ll often hear called in Mohegan Sun Arena, as she seems likely to get serious minutes at the guard position. With her combination of defense and shooting, she may just be what the Sun need, though she’s not the most “kneed” player when it comes to health of that crucial joint. Recurring knee injuries have plagued her career, but knock on wood - easily done on a basketball court - she can stay healthy this time.

Rachel Banham - She makes baskets so good you’ve gotta ban’em, the saying goes. But negotiations with the rule committee have guaranteed that at least for 2024, Rachel Banham baskets will not in fact be banned. They will not, however, be guaranteed. Always a good shooter and defender, she’s not the best driver or passer, and may have to rely on other players and the overall scheme to get open. But she’s already bonded with many of her new teammates, which are also her old teammates, for she used to be a Sun before 2020.

Tiffany Mitchell - With the loss of Tiffany Hayes, the Sun acquired a new Tiffany, keeping the net number of Tiffanies constant. Will it matter on the court? Perhaps. She’s not the outside shooter Hayes was, but a solid drive threat, which should help since on-ball guard offense hasn’t been a team strength. And she’s a solid defender. Opponents looking for an easy meal of a matchup won’t find it easy to have “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Plus, Stephanie White knows her from back in the day - her rookie year was Stephanie’s last in Indiana, and now the two are reunited.

DiJonai Carrington - Pardon me, do you have any Carring Tonn? Connecticut’s classiest guard, and the unofficial team ambassador (she greets every player under the basket when they enter the court), Carrington improved her shooting to go with her speed and size this last year, setting new career highs in points and assists. But she still struggles to create off the dribble at times, relying more on cuts, transition scoring, and catch-and-shoot opportunities. A natural instigator on social media, she can make a big impact if she can finally become an initiator on the court as well.

THE FRONT OF THE FRONT-COURT BACKUPS

The team acquired a few potential frontcourt options, especially if they have another injury, but only one seems to be a lock to make the roster.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa - to go the way of the dodo is to disappear, but to go the way of the Ododa is to set highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals in her second pro season. A former Connecticut Husky, she’s really a Connecticut Lanky - 6’5” with long limbs, able to influence many plays. In practices, she’s even been shooting the 3, which was not at all part of her game last year. If she can make it a credible threat, she can add to the spacing and share time with Thomas and Jones, rather than playing only when other bigs sit. It will be her third year in the pros, but only her second with the team, and hopefully there will be continued improvement as she adjusts to the team and scheme.

THE BACK OF THE FRONT COURT BACKUPS

Lovers of slapstick comedy will miss the antics of Bernadett Hatar, who did not receive an invite to training camp; instead a couple smaller, but more basketball-savvy bigs are competing for the spot. Here is the pair vying for the role:

Astou Ndour-Fall - her surname is pronounced “doo-fall” and we hope the shots do fall when she attempts them. Unfortunately, more often than not, they don’t. Her field goal percentages over the last few years in the WNBA has been in the high 30s, not ideal for a big, though her defense and rebounding numbers are better. Lately she’s been playing overseas - but will she be rostered over…

Taiyanna Jackson - A three-time selection to the Big 12 all-defensive team, Jackson is said to have an all-defensive game, great at shot-blocking and rebounds but not necessarily at creating opportunities on offense at the professional level. Still, she put up good scoring numbers and efficiency in college, and at least is a credible enough threat that opponents will need to guard her, which may be enough, given her defense, to earn a spot.

THE BIG LIST OF BIG GUARDS (AND ONE LITTLE)

Stephanie White has talked about wanting a “big guard,” and she had one briefly in Bec Allen, before the lanky Australian waltzed her Matilda all the way to the deserts of Phoenix. Oh, Bec! We hardly knew ye. She may be irreplaceable, but of course she will need to be replaced, and here’s some of the players who may do it.

Leigha Brown - Brown was only 1 field goal away from making 1 one field goal for every three games she played in last year, nearly cracking the ones place in points per game with 0.8. But keen observers has seen flashes of brilliance in her - she pulled off a dunk of sorts in practice, though of course in the WNBA practice is the theory and the game is the practice. Brown may not stand head and shoulders above the competition, but she does stand a little bit of forehead above some them - at 6’1”, she’s tied for the tallest of the bunch.

Helena Pueyo - the announcer at Mohegan Sun pronounced her name like “Pollo,” but opponents will see anything but barbecue chicken when guarded by the rookie Helena - she led her conference in steals last year, also shooting great from the line and showing excellent downcourt speed. In the brief bit of practice we watched, Pueyo excelled in several areas - she picked off passes in drills, shot well from 3, and made sneaky cuts for baskets in a scrimmage vs a squad of starters. This publication is “bullish” on Pueyo, but for a Spaniard, that may not be a positive thing. In a larger league, she would be sure to make the roster, but it’s always a tough prospect for a second-round draft pick, so we’ll have to see how it shakes out.

Rennia Davis - Davis, on that note, was a first-round pick who struggled to stay on rosters. An honorable mention All-American pick in college, she was cut from the Mercury and Fever rosters the past two years, though an injury setback may have contributed to her struggles. She might do more with better health and a good coach, though it’s a tough field out there.

Jocelyn Willoughby - Willoughby improved her three-point shooting but got fewer minutes last year - she just happened to be on the New York Liberty, who acquired far too much talent to have a lot of room for a young player to get quality time on court. With the Sun, she may be “Jocelyn” for a roster spot shoulder-to-shoulder with some worthy competition, but if she makes it, she’ll get time.

Sydney Wiese - This may be Stephanie White chasing after her lost Bec - instead of a player from Sydney, she gets a player named Sydney as the next Becst thing. (ERRATUM: Bec Allen is not from Sydney, but rather from Wangaratta, in fact this note is the genre of Wangarattaerrata) Or perhaps she sees a bit of herself in the young guard - it’s easy to mistake a Wiese for a Weiss. Whatever the motivation, Wiese, who had a strong 2020 with the Spark but sat out the last few years, has her work cut out for her if she wants to avoid having her contract cut out from her.

Shey Peddy - The shortest, and oldest, of the guards competing for a spot, Peddy has beaten the odds before. She missed rosters year after year before making her WNBA debut at age 30, after which she got significant minutes for several years in a row, including half a season in the starting lineup. She just concluded a season in London, which means we can expect her to put “English” on the ball and execute her layups to a “tea.” Could the Sun’s ills have a “Peddy cure?” Only time, or Stephanie White, Darius Taylor, or some team executive, will tell, when the rosters are announced at the end of camp.

Well that’s it for the update. Connecticut Sun, Connecticut Sun, Connecticut Sun. Fun fun fun.

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