The Connecticut Sun quietly remain title contenders.

Head Coach Stephanie White is thrilled by the prospect of returning for another season as head of coaching with the Connecticut Sun.
White was honored as Connecticut Sun Coach of the Year during her inaugural year and said her team hoped to build off its 27-13 record last season. Unfortunately, their season came to a close against New York Liberty 3-1 in their semis game due to remarkable campaigns by MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas (15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game) and DeWanna Bonner (17.4 points).
In the offseason, the team re-signed 36-year-old Bonner as a free agent after her outstanding season and Brionna Jones who was having an outstanding year before ruptured her Achilles 13 games into it and made herself unavailable to return – she averaged 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds each night and should return once fully healed.
Alyssa Thomas (left) and Brionna Jones are seen here conversing at Sun training camp. Photo courtesy Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Connecticut’s veteran core is key in helping White and her staff build off of last season’s success rather than starting over with newcomers. Last season, Connecticut boasted one of the league’s highest defensive ratings at 98.8, contributing significantly to their regular-season success.
“[Our staff is] discussing all these creative things we can do with our personnel that go outside the norm and that are innovative,” White stated on draft night. “[We’re] continuing to build off of what was laid last year.”
Connecticut made minor but potentially game-changing moves around the margins
Although Connecticut Sun’s offseason moves may have received less press than other WNBA transactions, two guards played integral roles during 2017: Tiffany Mitchell from Minnesota Lynx and Moriah Jefferson through trades will make an impressionful presence this season: Mitchell should fit nicely into its defense; White also expressed delight that Mitchell rejoins him again, having worked under him on her rookie contract with Indiana Fever: “I’m thrilled she can join our ranks once more – she epitomizes everything that represents our team culture!” White said about Mitchell: “She epitomizes everything that defines our franchise grit and toughness all at once! “
Jefferson is well known to people living in Connecticut. After winning four national championships at UConn and early struggles in her WNBA career with knee injuries, Jefferson has recently found success as an effective offensive player; last season she averaged 10.5 points per game with Phoenix Mercury.
After her trade to Connecticut, Jefferson expressed excitement at the possibility of playing read-and-react basketball with Thomas and Bonner in Connecticut. According to Jefferson, this type of ball “isn’t cookie cutter or robot-type; there are different flows and reads,” Jefferson explained. She believed it would be easy enough.
Arizona’s Helena Pueyo searches for an open teammate during the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Photo credit by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
As part of their 2024 WNBA Draft selections, the Sun made two choices with both future impact and instant impact in mind. French guard Leila Lacan and Columbia University guard Abbey Hsu are not joining training camp this season but defensive-minded draft picks Kansas forward Taiyanna Jackson and Arizona guard Helena Pueyo from defensive draft classes were brought aboard; Jackson being one of the premier rim protectors within her class while Pueyo being Arizona’s All-Stole Leader plays like an experienced pro; both selections reinforce prioritization by prioritizing defensive draft picks within its organization.
“She could become an elite pro,” Darius Taylor stated about Pueyo on draft night, dubbing her the steal of the draft.
The Sun continues its championship aspirations. The Las Vegas Aces, fresh off two consecutive championship victories, will likely be favorites this year for yet another championship win. New York Liberty (who fell short to Las Vegas Aces in 2023 Finals), New England Lynx and Seattle Storm who added Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike this offseason may all contend.
But the Sun, who are often overlooked due to their lesser-known location in Uncasville, are in contention for championship glory; that goal being Moriah Jefferson’s ultimate aim when she returns home.
Jefferson stated his goal as winning at every level except the WNBA was his ultimate aim and strives for it by doing whatever is necessary to help make this team better and as close as possible to that ultimate goal. “That goal will take some work, since our league is notoriously challenging; yet for me that goal remains my main aim here.”
Moriah Jefferson of the Phoenix Mercury drove on Las Vegas Aces Kelsey Plum from last season for a steal during her game with Ethan Miller/Getty Images.