Connecticut Sun

Connecticut Sun
2018 Connecticut Sun season
Conference Eastern
Leagues WNBA
Founded 1999 (1999)
History Orlando Miracle
1999–2002
Connecticut Sun
2003–present
Arena Mohegan Sun Arena
Location Uncasville, Connecticut
Team colors Red, blue, orange, yellow[1]
                   
Main sponsor Frontier Communications
General manager Curt Miller
Head coach Curt Miller
Assistant(s) Nicki Collen
Steve Smith
Ownership Mohegan Sun
Championships 0
Conference titles 2 (2004, 2005)
Website sun.wnba.com
Uniforms

The Connecticut Sun are a professional women's basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut that competes in the Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Along with the Minnesota Lynx, the club was established in 1999 as part of the league's expansion from ten to twelve teams. The Miracle, the club's previous moniker, originated that year in Orlando, Florida, as the sister team to the NBA's Orlando Magic. Financial straits left the Miracle teetering on the brink of disbanding before the Mohegan Indian tribe purchased and relocated the team to Mohegan Sun, becoming the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports franchise. The derivative of the club's name comes from its affiliation with Mohegan Sun, while the team's logo is reflective of a modern interpretation of an ancient Mohegan symbol.

Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in the state, as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies, the Sun also held the distinction of being the only WNBA franchise not to share its market with an NBA team from 2003 until the Seattle SuperSonics relocated, leaving the Storm as an independent team in Seattle.[2]

The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in eight of its fourteen years in Connecticut.

Franchise history

Orlando Miracle (1999–2002)

Before the franchise relocated to Connecticut in 2003, the team operated as the Orlando Miracle. The Miracle played their home games at TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida, as the sister team of the Orlando Magic. After the 2002 season, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the respective teams, which placed the league in the middle of team contractions, relocations, and potential labor strife. Since Magic ownership was no longer interested in retaining the rights to the Miracle and no local partnership was reached, the organization ceased operations and was purchased by the Mohegan Tribe. On January 28, 2003, it was announced that the Miracle would immediately move to Uncasville, Connecticut and change its nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun casino).[3] The Sun's nickname, color scheme and logo are similar to that of another defunct Florida-based franchise, the Miami Sol, which folded at the same time as the Miracle's relocation to Connecticut.[4]

Ascendancy to prominence (2003–2004)

Sun alternate logo

With a new home in Uncasville and two former UConn Huskies on the roster, the Sun entered the 2003 season looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with Indiana. The Sun underwent a total overhaul during the offseason – selecting Debbie Black in the dispersal draft and acquiring former Connecticut star Rebecca Lobo to add another local attraction to join Nykesha Sales.[5] General manager Chris Sienko named Mike Thibault, a coaching veteran with two NBA titles as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, as the first head coach for the franchise.[6]

On May 24, 2003, the Sun hosted the first regular-season game of its inaugural season, which was shown on ABC, the league's new broadcast partner. The Sun yielded to the two-time defending champion Sparks before a sellout crowd of 9,341. At the conclusion of the 2003 season, the Sun finished with an 18–16 record, which clinched the first playoff berth since the franchise relocated. The Sun swept the second-seeded Sting in the first round of the playoffs, and before being swept by the Detroit Shock in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Lobo's announced her retirement after seven seasons in the WNBA. The Sun returned Katie Douglas, Nykesha Sales and Taj McWilliams-Franklin, the group that formed Thibault's nucleus. General manager Chris Sienko fortified that core with former UConn product Asjha Jones, who was acquired in a three-team trade, and Minnesota Golden Gophers phenom Lindsay Whalen, who was taken with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 Draft. The Sun managed to snag a top pick in one of the deepest draft classes in league history by trading perennial all-star point guard Shannon Johnson, a move that was universally panned by Sun fans.[7] The Sun selected Lindsay Whalen amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx.[8] However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18–16[9] record in an equally-talented Eastern Conference, winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun defeated the Washington Mystics 2–1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun rolled on, sweeping the New York Liberty. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series, 2–1, to the Seattle Storm.[10]

Dynastic turmoil (2005–2007)

In the 2005 off season, the Sun acquired 7'2" (2.18 m) center Margo Dydek.[11] With a dominant post presence, the hungry Sun controlled the Eastern Conference, posting a 26–8 record,[12] the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history.[13] In the playoffs, the Sun flew to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock and the Indiana Fever. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs team. Also against the Sun's luck, Lindsay Whalen played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it was of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best-of-five format.[14]

Mohegan Sun Arena filling up before a game.

The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, Lisa Leslie became the first woman to ever dunk in an All-Star Game.[15]

In 2006, the Sun would match their 2005 record[16] and it looked like a return trip to the Finals was certain. Mike Thibault received the WNBA Coach of the Year Award, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. All five starters were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by the Detroit Shock, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor.[17]

The Sun stumbled out of the gate in 2007, posting a dismal 5–10 record by late June. However, the Sun stormed back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18–16,[18] good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun faced the Indiana Fever in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun allowed the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending with a 93–88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and therefore the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.[19]

The 2007 season was the end of the Connecticut Sun that many fans had come to know.

Brief decline (2008–2009)

The front office knew something had to be done to save the team from another disappointing finish. During the 2007–08 off-season, the Connecticut Sun made major changes to their roster in an effort to win that ever-elusive championship title. The Sun made three trades, one sending Katie Douglas, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever, a deal that signaled the end of the partnership that led the Sun to consecutive WNBA Finals appearances. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years.[20] Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries.[21] 7'2" center Margo Dydek also took the season off due to her pregnancy.[22] With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream.

Contrary to these predictions, the Sun started the season with an outstanding 8–1 record. Soon, however, the team found itself in a disappointing slump. The Sun went on a five-game losing streak, the worst ever for a team under Mike Thibault. The team finished the regular season with a 21–13 record which placed them second in the Eastern Conference, only one game out of first place.[23] In the playoffs, the Sun's youth and inexperience caught up to them; the New York Liberty won game three on the Sun's home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.[24]

Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebuilding season, the Sun looked to come back even stronger in 2009. There was no reason to believe the Sun would not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127–77, translating into a winning percentage of .623, with the Detroit Shock having the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.

The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game was held on July 25 at 3:30pm in the Mohegan Sun Arena. It was the second time the Sun had hosted the game. It was broadcast nationally on ABC (HD).[25] Like the two previous seasons, they would start the season on a struggling note. But they later won 7 out of their next 10 games, putting them in playoff position. Halfway through the season, however, there was a three-way tie for second place which included the Sun, the Dream, and the Mystics. The Sun, plagued by a late-season injury to all-star Asjha Jones missed the playoffs for the first time since moving from Orlando. Sun fans found an unwelcome and unfamiliar ending to the 2009 season. They finished overall with a 16–18 record and finished 6th in the East. After the team was ousted from playoff contention, Thibault said there would be changes.

Charles triggers resurgence (2010–2012)

A Sun game in 2011

After a late-season implosion in 2009, head coach Mike Thibault had to make some crucial decisions for a team whose culture completely broke down last year. Connecticut started its rebuilding process quickly, acquiring DeMya Walker in the Monarchs' dispersal draft. The Sun then snagged the first overall pick in the 2010 collegiate draft in a trade with the Minnesota Lynx; a trade that would have the Sun's most recognizable face in starting point guard Lindsay Whalen, along with the second overall pick, shipped to Minneapolis. This package netted the Sun Renee Montgomery, who would prove to be luxury in the deal. Thibault continued to reshape his roster after introducing Kara Lawson at a press conference as a new member of the Sun.[26] Lawson was formerly a member of the Monarchs' team that decimated the Sun's chances of a WNBA title. Lawson, along with Montgomery, formed a backcourt that would be able to dictate pace and bolster the Sun's perimeter arsenal attack. The Sun also signed reserves Anete Jēkabsone-Žogota and Tan White to multiyear contracts to solidify the Sun's revamped backcourt.

The Sun came into the 2010 WNBA Draft with two picks in the first round – the first and seventh overall picks, the latter of which was acquired one day prior to the draft from Tulsa. With its first overall selection in franchise history, the Sun took UConn standout and Player of the Year recipient, Tina Charles, the consensus top prospect available. By playing alongside premier talent at the collegiate level, Charles had shown that she was ready to pilot an offense and lead this franchise into the post-Sales era. After the selection of Charles, Thibault had the remainder of the draft to fortify the weapons around his newly acquired center. To diminish the losses of Amber Holt and Chante Black, both of whom were part of the package deal with the Shock, the Sun selected Kansas product Danielle McCray. Prior to the draft, it was understood that McCray wouldn't be available to participate in the upcoming season due to an ACL injury she sustained in college. There was risk involved concerning her durability, but McCray's potential as a superstar was reason enough to take the leap of faith. The Sun cemented its guard corps with the selection of Allison Hightower in the second round. Thibault wasn't finished making a mark on draft day as he maneuvered around the draft board to address the Sun's suspect defense. He nabbed former Cornhusker Kelsey Griffin, who was taken third overall, in a trade once again involving the Lynx. This trade would have the Sun relinquishing their first and second round picks in next year's draft. The acquisition of coveted players through the draft and free agency capped an offseason of change that had transformed a franchise for the future. Although the reconstruction of the Sun remained a work in progress, this talented class of prospects would serve as the foundation for a team that jumped back into contention quicker than anyone anticipated.

After the 2010 WNBA season, news surfaced that the Connecticut Sun was the first franchise in WNBA history to turn a profit.[27]

The 2011 season started well for the Sun. Few changes were made in the off-season, which gave the team some consistency and a year of experience on which to build. Sandrine Gruda and Anete Jēkabsone-Žogota decided to sit out the season, so the Sun looked elsewhere, adding Jessica Moore and relying on rookie Danielle McCray to step up and score. In a tough Eastern Conference, the Sun held a 9–5 record going into the All-Star break.

In his decade-long pursuit of an elusive title, Mike Thibault found himself in the proverbial hot seat to engineer a deep run. But an absence of urgency was reflected in the team's free agency approach – making small waves to pry Thompson and Cash from their respective teams – to solely ink rugged forward Mistie Mims[28] in relief of Charles. Sticking with the status quo meant the roster was set so much so that the Sun drafted an unheralded Malian prospect. Going into the season, Thibault had assembled a deep roster that necessitated only a couple minor moves to cap the off-season process. The coach's patience paid dividends when his burgeoning core bolted to a 6–1 start highlighted by a chafed Montgomery turning the starting reins over to Hightower.[29] Leading into the 1-month Olympic hiatus, the Sun strung together a five-win streak to improve to a league-best 15–4 mark. Following the ill-timed Games, which saw the club's Jones-Charles tandem help capture gold for Team USA, Connecticut continued to perform superbly while short-handed. They finished the season 25–9, with a better road record (13–4) than as hosts.[30] The Sun fended off late Liberty rallies to sweep their way into a joust with the Fever in what was the team's first Conference finals since 2010's radical facelift. In the series, the Sun took themselves to the doorstep of a Finals berth after notching a decisive Game 1 rout. But building on a stirring two-point Game 2 win and a rally cry after losing Douglas, Indiana derailed the Sun's seemingly predestined trip in a 71–87 home romp, a defeat that essentially cost longtime coach Thibault his job. The lion's share of the season's fortunes came from the talented triumvirate of Lawson, Jones and league MVP Tina Charles flanked by Mims and sixth woman Montgomery carving a niche as an energy duo off the pines. Though failure was what came to mind in taking stock of the team's decade season; the Fever capturing the year's title being emblematic of that.

Change at the top (since 2013-2016)

On November 20, 2012, Mike Thibault was relieved of his duties as head coach for the franchise.[31][32] While at the helm, he amassed a 206–134 record en route to 8 playoff appearances, four Eastern Conference titles and reaching the WNBA Finals twice in his ten-year tenure. However, Thibault's squads have had the notoriety for failing to flip their proverbial switch to close games; honing a burgeoning reputation for folding under pressure.[33] This dubious distinction, coupled with the failure of achieving a franchise-first championship, led to the coach's dismissal. With an eye to accomplishing the objective of a WNBA title, the team hired Hall of Famer, Anne Donovan, as Thibault's successor.[34][35] Among other WNBA stints, Donovan was the head coach of the '04 Seattle Storm team that captured the league title over, ironically, the Sun. Donovan hired Catherine Proto and Jennifer Gillom as her assistant coaches for her initial season. In 2014, Proto became Scouting and Video Operations Manager for the Sun and Steven Key replaced her as an assistant coach.[36] During Anne Donovan's run as head coach she had gone 38-64 in three seasons with the Connecticut Sun before resigning as the head coach in 2015.[37] Curt Miller would be named head coach of the Connecticut Sun starting in the 2016 WNBA Season.

Current home

The Sun play in the Mohegan Sun Arena. Mohegan Sun is owned by the Mohegan tribe.[38] The arena is located at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Mohegan Sun Arena is smaller than most other WNBA arenas, with the maximum capacity (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game being 9,323.[39] The Sun is one of the only top-level professional franchise located in the state of Connecticut along with the Connecticut Whale of the National Women's Hockey League.

The Mohegan Sun Arena is located in the center of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino.[40]

Uniforms

  • 1999–2002: For home games, the Miracle wore white with blue on the sides/shoulders and white Miracle logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with white on the sides and white Miracle logo text on the chest. The Miracle logo is on the shorts.
  • 2003: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text emblazoned on the chest. For away games, pure red with gold trim on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
  • 2004–2006: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with sun red and gold trim on the sides, as well as gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
  • 2007: For home games, the Sun wore white with images of basic suns embellished on the sides and the Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with images of basic suns on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
  • 2008–2010: For home games, the Sun wore white with the word "Connecticut" printed vertically on the sides and the Sun logo text emblazoned on the chest. For away games, the Sun wore blue with the word "Sun" printed vertically on the sides and the gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
  • 2011–2015: For home games, the Sun wear white with blue vertical stripes on the sides and the Sun logo text emblazoned on the chest. For away games, the Sun wear blue with white vertical stripes embellished on the sides and gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is shown on the left shoulder.
  • 2015–present: Frontier Communications takes over as jersey sponsor.
  • 2016: As part of a league-wide initiative for its 20th season, all games featured all-color uniform matchups. Therefore, the Sun unveiled an orange uniform while retaining the blue jersey from the previous season.

Season-by-season records

[41]

Players

Current roster

Connecticut Sun roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 1 United States Banham, Rachel 5' 9" (1.75m) 168 lb (76kg) 07-15-1993 Minnesota 2
G 4 United States Brown, Lexie 5' 9" (1.75m) – 10-27-1994 Duke R
G 23 United States Clarendon, Layshia 5' 9" (1.75m) 158 lb (72kg) 05-02-1991 California 5
G 32 United States Holmes, Bria 6' 1" (1.85m) 170 lb (77kg) 04-19-1994 West Virginia 2
F 35 The Bahamas Jones, Jonquel 6' 6" (1.98m) 190 lb (86kg) 01-05-1994 George Washington 2
C 42 United States Jones, Brionna 6' 3" (1.91m) 230 lb (104kg) 12-18-1995 Maryland 1
G/F 44 United States Laney, Betnijah 6' 0" (1.83m) 160 lb (73kg) 10-29-1993 Rutgers 2
F 13 United States Ogwumike, Chiney 6' 4" (1.93m) 173 lb (78kg) 03-22-1992 Stanford 2
G/F 40 United States Stricklen, Shekinna 6' 2" (1.88m) 178 lb (81kg) 07-30-1990 Tennessee 6
F 25 United States Thomas, Alyssa 6' 2" (1.88m) 185 lb (84kg) 04-12-1992 Maryland 4
G 5 United States Thomas, Jasmine 5' 9" (1.75m) 145 lb (66kg) 09-30-1989 Duke 7
F 33 United States Tuck, Morgan 6' 2" (1.88m) 200 lb (91kg) 04-30-1994 Connecticut 2
G 10 United States Williams, Courtney 5' 8" (1.73m) 136 lb (62kg) 05-11-1994 South Florida 2



East: ATL • CHI • CON • IND • NY • WAS | West: DAL • LV • LA • MIN • PHO • SEA
Head coach
United States Curt Miller (Baldwin Wallace)
Assistant coaches
United States Brandi Poole
United States Steve Smith



Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

WNBA roster page

[42]

International rights

Nationality Name Years pro Last played Drafted
Mali Astan Dabo 0 N/A 2012
United Kingdom Johannah Leedham 0 N/A 2010
Spain Alba Torrens 0 N/A 2009

Honored numbers

Connecticut Sun honored numbers
No. Player Position Tenure
12Margo DydekC2005–07
23Katie DouglasG/F2001–07
42Nykesha SalesF1999–2007

[43]

Management, coaches and staff

Owners

Head coaches

Connecticut Sun head coaches
Name Start End Seasons Regular season Playoffs
WLPCTGWLPCTG
Carolyn PeckJuly 6, 1998April 3, 200244452.4589612.3333
Dee BrownApril 5, 2002End of 200211616.5003200.0000
Mike ThibaultMarch 7, 2003November 20, 201210206134.6063402018.52638
Anne DonovanJanuary 3, 2013October 1, 201533864.37310200.0000
Curt MillerDecember 17, 2015Current35646.5496801.0001

General managers

Assistant coaches

Statistics

Connecticut Sun statistics

Media coverage

Currently some Connecticut Sun games are broadcast on WCTX (MyTV 9), a local television station for the state of Connecticut. This is the second time WCTX has aired Sun matches. They were also the original home of Sun matches prior to the 2010 season. More often than not, NBA TV will pick up the feed from the local broadcast, which are shown nationally. Broadcasters for the Sun games on WCTX consist of Bob Heussler and Rebecca Lobo, Jennifer Rizzotti or Kara Wolters. From 2012–2014 Sun games were broadcast on CPTV Sports (CPTV-S). For the 2011 season, Sun games were broadcast on Comcast Sports Net New England, with Mike Gorman as an announcer.[46] In addition to Mike Gorman, broadcasters in the past have included Leah Secondo and Kara Wolters.

Audio broadcasts for all home games are done by Bob Heussler, which (excluding blackout games, in which case are available on ESPN3.com) are streamed to the WNBA LiveAccess game feeds on the league website. Furthermore, some Sun games are broadcast nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The WNBA has reached an eight-year agreement with ESPN, which will pay right fees to the Sun, as well as other teams in the league.[47]

All-time notes

Regular season attendance

Regular season all-time attendance
Orlando Miracle
Year Average High Low Sellouts Total for year WNBA game average
19999,801 (6th)15,4427,0280156,81810,207
20007,363 (11th)9,4645,7310117,8109,074
20017,430 (11th)11,9035,3630118,8749,105
20027,115 (13th)13,1114,3230113,8379,228
Connecticut Sun
Year Average High Low Sellouts Total for year WNBA game average
20036,025 (14th)9,5184,0382102,4338,826
20046,635 (13th)9,5183,8462112,8038,589
20057,156 (10th)9,5185,5962121,6448,172
20067,417 (9th)9,5186,0192126,0967,476
20077,970 (7th)9,5186,1541135,4907,819
20087,644 (11th)9,5185,2453129,9517,948
20096,794 (12th)9,0475,6750115,4968,029
20107,486 (9th)9,5186,2921127,3317,834
20117,056 (9th)9,3236,0961119,9517,954
20127,266 (8th)9,2015,8110123,5197,452
20136,548 (10th)9,1104,9710111,3207,531
20145,980 (10th)8,0194,3560101,6627,578
20155,557 (10th)8,0494,490094,4677,184
20165,837 (10th)99,2367,655
20176,728 (8th)8,6684,8180114,3707,716
20186,626 (5th)8,0405,1120106,0156,721

Draft picks

  • 1999 Expansion Draft: Andrea Congreaves (2), Kisha Ford (4), Yolanda Moore (6), Adrienne Johnson (8)[48]
  • 1999: Tari Phillips (8), Sheri Sam (20), Taj McWilliams-Franklin (32), Carla McGhee (44), Elaine Powell (50)[49]
  • 2000: Cintia dos Santos (4), Jannon Roland (20), Shawnetta Stewart (36), Romana Hamzová (52)[50]
  • 2001: Katie Douglas (10), Brooke Wyckoff (26), Jaclyn Johnson (42), Anne Thorius (58)[51]
  • 2002: Davalyn Cunningham (23), Saundra Jackson (39), Tomeka Brown (55)[52]
  • 2003 Miami/Portland Dispersal Draft: Debbie Black (6)[53]
  • 2003: Courtney Coleman (13), Lindsey Wilson (34)[54]
  • 2004 Cleveland Dispersal Draft: selection traded[55]
  • 2004: Lindsay Whalen (4), Jessica Brungo (16), Ugo Oha (24), Candace Futrell (29)[56]
  • 2005: Katie Feenstra (8), Erin Phillips (21), Megan Mahoney (34)[57]
  • 2006: Debbie Merrill (28), Marita Payne (42)[58]
  • 2007 Charlotte Dispersal Draft: selection waived[59]
  • 2007: Kamesha Hairston (12), Sandrine Gruda (13), Cori Chambers (26), Kiera Hardy (39)[60]
  • 2008: Amber Holt (9), Ketia Swanier (12), Jolene Anderson (23), Lauren Ervin (37)[61]
  • 2009 Houston Dispersal Draft: selection waived[62]
  • 2009: Chante Black (10), Lyndra Littles (17), Alba Torrens (36)[63]
  • 2010 Sacramento Dispersal Draft: DeMya Walker (3)[64]
  • 2010: Tina Charles (1), Danielle McCray (7), Allison Hightower (15), Johannah Leedham (27)[65]
  • 2011: Sydney Colson (16), Adrienne Johnson (28)[66]
  • 2012: Astan Dabo (9), Chay Shegog (21)[67]
  • 2013: Kelly Faris (11), Anna Prins (23), Andrea Smith (35)[68]
  • 2014: Chiney Ogwumike (1), Chelsea Gray (11), DeNesha Stallworth (25)[69]
  • 2015: Elizabeth Williams (4), Brittany Hrynko (19)[70]
  • 2016: Morgan Tuck (3), Rachel Banham (4), Jamie Weisner (17), Aliyyah Handford (27)[71]
  • 2017: Brionna Jones (8), Shayla Cooper (13), Leticia Romero (16), Jessica January (28)[72]
  • 2018: Lexie Brown (9), Mikayla Cowling (33)

Trades

  • April 18, 2002: The Miracle acquired Clarisse Machanguana from the Charlotte Sting in exchange for a first-round pick (7th overall) in the 2002 Draft.[73]
  • July 8, 2002: The Miracle traded Elaine Powell and a first round pick (5th overall) in the 2003 Draft in exchange for Wendy Palmer and a second round pick in the 2003 Draft.[74]
  • February 14, 2003: The Sun acquired Rebecca Lobo from the Houston Comets for a second round pick in the 2003 Draft.[75]
  • January 28, 2004: The Sun traded Shannon Johnson, along with the 21st and 34th picks in the 2004 Draft, to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for the fourth, 16th, and 29th picks in the 2004 Draft.[76]
  • March 25, 2004: The Sun acquired Asjha Jones from the Washington Mystics in exchange for the eighth pick in the 2004 Draft in a three-way trade that also involved the Phoenix Mercury.[77]
  • April 16, 2005: The Sun acquired Margo Dydek from the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Katie Feenstra and a first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2006 Draft.[78]
  • February 21, 2007: The Sun traded Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Erika DeSouza and a first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2007 Draft.[79]
  • February 19, 2008: The Sun traded Katie Douglas to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Tamika Whitmore, the rights to Jessica Foley and a first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2008 Draft.[20]
  • March 6, 2008: The Sun acquired Barbara Turner from the Houston Comets in exchange for Megan Mahoney.[80]
  • March 14, 2008: The Sun traded Kristen Rasmussen to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Tamika Raymond, as well as the option to trade second-round picks in the 2009 Draft.[81]
  • January 12, 2010: The Sun traded Lindsay Whalen and the second pick in the 2010 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Renee Montgomery and the first overall pick in the 2010 Draft.[82]
  • April 7, 2010: The Sun traded Amber Holt and Chante Black to the Tulsa Shock in exchange for the seventh pick in the 2010 Draft and a second-round pick in the 2011 Draft.[83]
  • April 8, 2010: The Sun traded first and second-round picks (4th and 13th overall) in the 2011 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the draft rights to Kelsey Griffin.[84]
  • April 11, 2011: The Sun traded their third-round pick in the 2012 Draft to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for the draft rights to Tahnee Robinson.[85]
  • April 11, 2011: The Sun acquired Kalana Greene from the New York Liberty in exchange for the draft rights to Sydney Colson.[86]
  • June 20, 2013: The Sun traded their second-round pick in the 2014 Draft to the Tulsa Shock in exchange for Kayla Pedersen.
  • March 12, 2014: The Sun traded Kara Lawson to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Alex Bentley from the Atlanta Dream.
  • April 14, 2014: The Sun traded Tina Charles to the New York Liberty in exchange for Kelsey Bone, Alyssa Thomas, and a first-round pick in the 2015 Draft.[87]
  • January 28, 2015: The Sun traded Renee Montgomery and their third and fifteen overall picks in the 2015 Draft to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Camille Little and Shekinna Stricklen.[88]
  • April 16, 2015: The Sun traded Brittany Hrynko to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Jasmine Thomas.[89]
  • May 13, 2015: The Sun traded Asjha Jones to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2016 Draft.[90]
  • February 3, 2016: The Sun traded Elizabeth Williams to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for the fourth pick in the 2016 Draft.[91]
  • April 14, 2016: The Sun traded Chelsea Gray, the 15th and 23rd picks in the 2016 Draft, and a first-round pick in the 2017 Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Jonquel Jones and the 17th pick in the 2016 Draft.
  • June 25, 2016: The Sun traded Kelsey Bone to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Courtney Williams, Jillian Alleyne, and San Antonio's second-round pick in the 2017 Draft.[92]
  • January 26, 2017: The Sun traded Aneika Henry-Morello to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Reshanda Gray.[93]
  • February 21, 2017: The Sun traded Camille Little and the rights to Jillian Alleyne to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Lynetta Kizer and the 8th overall pick in the 2017 Draft. The trade was a three-way trade between the Sun, the Mercury and the Indiana Fever.[94]
  • June 8, 2017: The Sun traded Jordan Hooper to the Atlanta Dream for the Dream's 2018 2nd Round Draft Pick.[95]

Franchise records and player accolades

Franchise leaders

Individual honours

WNBA Most Valuable Player[96]

All–WNBA First Team[97]

All–WNBA Second Team

WNBA All–Star Game MVP[98]

WNBA Most Improved Player[99]

WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year[100]

WNBA Coach of the Year[101]

WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year

WNBA All–Defensive First Team[103]

WNBA All–Defensive Second Team

WNBA Rookie of the Year[104]

WNBA All–Rookie Team[105]

Kim Perrot Sportsmanship[106]

WNBA Peak Performers[107]

All–Stars

  • 1999: Shannon Johnson, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
  • 2000: Shannon Johnson, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
  • 2001: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
  • 2002: Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
  • 2003: Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
  • 2004: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales, Lindsay Whalen
  • 2005: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
  • 2006: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales, Lindsay Whalen
  • 2007: Katie Douglas, Asjha Jones
  • 2008: No All-Star Game
  • 2009: Asjha Jones
  • 2010: Tina Charles, Renee Montgomery
  • 2011: Tina Charles, Renee Montgomery
  • 2012: No All-Star Game
  • 2013: Tina Charles, Allison Hightower
  • 2014: Katie Douglas, Chiney Ogwumike
  • 2015: Alex Bentley, Kelsey Bone
  • 2016: No All-Star Game
  • 2017: Jasmine Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas
  • 2018: Chiney Ogwumike

Olympic team selection

References

  1. ↑ "Connecticut Sun Reproduction Guideline Sheet". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  2. ↑ "WNBA Comes to Connecticut". Connecticut Sun. 2003. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  3. ↑ "Mohegan Tribe to Own WNBA Team in Connecticut". New York Times. January 28, 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  4. ↑ "Sun Unveil Logo". Connecticut Sun. March 27, 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  5. ↑ "W.N.B.A.'s Sun Acquires Lobo". Hartford Courant. February 15, 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  6. ↑ "Thibault Named First Head Coach". Connecticut Sun. March 7, 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  7. ↑ "Connecticut Sun Trades Shannon Johnson". Highbeam Research. January 29, 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  8. ↑ "Lynx still trying to get shot at Whalen". ESPN. April 17, 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  9. ↑ "2004 WNBA Standings". WNBA.com. 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  10. ↑ "2004 WNBA season". Basketball-Reference.com. 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  11. ↑ "Sun trade Feenstra, draft pick for Dydek". ESPN. April 16, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  12. ↑ "2005 WNBA standings". WNBA.com. 2005. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  13. ↑ "Sun @ Sting Recap". WNBA.com. August 27, 2005. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  14. ↑ "2005 WNBA season". Basketball-Reference.com. 2005. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  15. ↑ Dixon, Oscar (July 6, 2005). "WNBA hits jackpot with Sun big winner". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  16. ↑ "2006 WNBA standings". WNBA.com. 2006. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  17. ↑ "2006 WNBA season". Basketball-Reference.com. 2006. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  18. ↑ "2007 WNBA standings". WNBA.com. 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  19. ↑ "2007 WNBA season". Basketball-Reference.com. 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  20. 1 2 "Sun Acquire Whitmore from Fever for Douglas". Connecticut Sun. February 19, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  21. ↑ "Sales to Take One Year Hiatus from WNBA". Connecticut Sun. 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  22. ↑ "Dydek Pregnant, Might Retire". GTS-News. October 7, 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  23. ↑ "2008 WNBA standings". WNBA.com. 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  24. ↑ "2008 WNBA season". Basketball-Reference.com. 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  25. ↑ "2009 WNBA All-Star Game". WNBA.com. February 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  26. ↑ "Sun sign long-coveted Lawson". Norwich Bulletin. February 2, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  27. ↑ "Sun turn a profit, make history". TheDay.com. December 30, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  28. ↑ "Sun Signs Veteran Mims". Connecticut Sun. February 6, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  29. ↑ "Mike DiMauro: Montgomery isn't comfortable sitting". The Day. May 25, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  30. ↑ "Sun end season on top". The Day. September 24, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  31. ↑ "Sun fire longtime coach Thibault". STATS LLC. Associated Press. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  32. ↑ "Connecticut sacks Thibault, retains GM Sienko". Hartford Courant. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  33. ↑ DiMauro, Mike (15 October 2012). "Until the Sun learn how to finish things off, this is their legacy". TheDay.com. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  34. ↑ "Donovan resurfaces with new post as Sun head coach". The Sports Network. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  35. ↑ "Donovan returns to WNBA ranks with new Sun gig". The Middletown Press. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  36. ↑ Altavilla, John (February 28, 2014). "Sun Adds Steven Key, Former Sky Coach, To Staff". courantblogs.com. Hartford Courant. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  37. ↑ Altavilla, John (October 1, 2015). "Anne Donovan Resigns As Coach Of Connecticut Sun; No Successor Lined Up". courant.com. Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  38. ↑ "About Mohegan Sun". Mohegan Sun. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  39. ↑ "Mohegan Sun Arena". Mohegan Sun. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  40. ↑ Goodman, Jeff (June 13, 2003). "A Casino Finds Its Place in the Sun". Washington Post. p. D01. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  41. ↑ "WNBA History". WNBA.com. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  42. ↑ "Connecticut Sun Roster". Connecticut Sun. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  43. ↑ "Connecticut Sun Media Guide" (PDF). Connecticut Sun. 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  44. ↑ http://www.wnba.com/sun/news/Chris_Sienko-bio.html
  45. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  46. ↑ "Comcast SportsNet to Broadcast Sun Games Throughout New England". Connecticut Sun. May 20, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  47. ↑ "WNBA Extends TV Rights Deal with ESPN and ABC". Sports Business. June 18, 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  48. ↑ "1999 Expansion Draft". Enotes.com. 1999. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  49. ↑ "1999 WNBA Draft". Answers.com. 1999. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  50. ↑ "2000 WNBA Draft". Enotes.com. 2000. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  51. ↑ "2001 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2001. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  52. ↑ "2002 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  53. ↑ "Miami Sol/Portland Fire Dispersal Draft". WNBA.com. April 24, 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  54. ↑ "2003 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  55. ↑ "Cleveland Rockers Dispersal Draft". WNBA.com. January 6, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  56. ↑ "2004 WNBA Draft". Enotes.com. 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  57. ↑ "2005 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2005. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  58. ↑ "2006 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2006. Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  59. ↑ "Charlotte Sting Dispersal Draft". WNBA.com. January 8, 2007. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  60. ↑ "2007 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  61. ↑ "2008 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  62. ↑ "Houston Comets Dispersal Draft". WNBA.com. December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  63. ↑ "2009 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-09-08. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  64. ↑ "Sacramento Monarchs Dispersal Draft". WNBA.com. December 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  65. ↑ "2010 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  66. ↑ "2011 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  67. ↑ "2012 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  68. ↑ "2013 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2013. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  69. ↑ "2014 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
  70. ↑ "2015 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
  71. ↑ "2016 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  72. ↑ "2017 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
  73. ↑ "Miracle Acquire Machanguana". AP News Archive. 2002. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  74. ↑ "EnShocklopedia (P)". Detroit Shock. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  75. ↑ "Rebecca Lobo Joins Connecticut Sun". Connecticut Sun. February 14, 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  76. ↑ "Shannon Johnson Traded". Connecticut Sun. January 28, 2004. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  77. ↑ "Sun Acquire UConn Standout Asjha Jones". Connecticut Sun. March 25, 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  78. ↑ "Trade for Dydek at Center of Sun's Draft". Connecticut Sun. April 16, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  79. ↑ "Sun Trade McWilliams-Franklin to Sparks". Connecticut Sun. February 21, 2007. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  80. ↑ "Sun acquire former UConn star Turner from Comets". CBS Sports. March 6, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  81. ↑ "Sun Acquire Tamika Raymond in Trade with Lynx". Connecticut Sun. March 14, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  82. ↑ "Sun Make a Deal". Hartford Courant. January 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  83. ↑ "Sun trade Two". Connecticut Sun. April 8, 2010. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  84. ↑ "NU's Kelsey Griffin drafted into WNBA's Connecticut Sun". Huskers.com. April 8, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  85. ↑ "Tahnee Robinson of Fort Washakie drafted". KdlyKove.com. April 13, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  86. ↑ "Sun pull off deal for Greene". TheDay.com. April 12, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  87. ↑ Sun trade C/F Tina Charles to Liberty
  88. ↑ Connecticut Sun trade Renee Montgomery, No. 3 pick in WNBA Draft
  89. ↑ Brittany Hrynko selected, traded to Atlanta Dream in WNBA draft
  90. ↑ Sun Trade Rights to Asjha Jones Archived May 16, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
  91. ↑
  92. ↑ Sun Trade Bone To Phoenix For Williams, Alleyne And 2017 Draft Pick
  93. ↑ "Sun Acquire Gray From Dream - Connecticut Sun". Connecticut Sun. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  94. ↑ "Sun Acquire Kizer, 8th Pick In 2017 WNBA Draft - Connecticut Sun". Connecticut Sun. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  95. ↑ "Dream Sends Second Round Draft Pick to Connecticut for Jordan Hooper". Connecticut Sun. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  96. ↑ "WNBA MVP Award". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  97. ↑ "All–WNBA Team". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  98. ↑ "WNBA All–Star Game MVP". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  99. ↑ "WNBA MIP Award". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  100. ↑ "Sixth Woman of the Year Award". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  101. ↑ "WNBA COY Award". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  102. ↑ "Connecticut's Curt Miller Named Inaugural WNBA Basketball Executive Of The Year" (Press release). WNBA. September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  103. ↑ "WNBA All–Defensive Team". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  104. ↑ "WNBA ROY Award". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  105. ↑ "WNBA All–Rookie Team". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  106. ↑ "Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  107. ↑ "WNBA Peak Performers". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Detroit Shock		 WNBA Eastern Conference Champions
2004 (First title)
2005 (Second title)		 Succeeded by
Detroit Shock
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