You know you need a fresh start when you constantly stumble at the final huddle. The Connecticut Sun, after six consecutive semis, did exactly that. First HC Stephanie White was replaced by Rachid Meziane. New GM Morgan Tuck was taken in, and in 2025 whole new coaching staff was hired. Next stop? WNBA draft, adding young and potent talent to complete the rebuild. And they hit the jackpot with their first pick–Aneesah Morrow. Definitely one of the clever picks by the team!

Drafted at No. 7, Aneesah brings an edge to the team that every other rival might eventually get jealous of. You see, whenever someone from college is drafted, concerns run rampant about how they will adjust. Even Caitlin Clark couldn’t do it right away! However, as per Charlie Creme, Morrow might just be that piece of the puzzle you pick first for the kickstart. “With the free agent losses of Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Sun needed to find some rebounding,” Creme wrote for ESPN. “That makes Morrow a good addition“.

He further added why she was a no-brainer for the team, saying, “Her nose for the ball is unparalleled in this draft. She also has shooting range and can create her own shot.” So, it is clear that she will fit just right in. And do those last five words of Creme remind you of anyone? Yep, we are guessing you guessed it right. That one player who knows how to create offenses out of nothing!

Fair to say that the Connecticut Sun got themselves a possible like-for-like replacement for their superstar, Alyssa Thomas. And Morrow also knows that. When asked about who she watched in WNBA and got inspired by, Aneesah quickly referred to the former Sun player.

“I always watch AT. She’s undersized, but she holds her own. She doesn’t take no s— from nobody,” Morrow said. “She can defend almost every position, and that’s hard. You have to know and have the skill to do that. You have to know who you’re guarding. You have to know your scouting report, and she’s very productive with that.”

 

No doubt that Morrow is taking the task head-on and is looking to fill Thomas’ shoes. While some might call it plain cruel to expect a rookie to match “The Engine”, there are reasons why she is still the best bet to do so. Just like Thomas, Morrow is undersized. And just like Thomas, she makes sure no one looks down on her because of that. As she said, “AT is not somebody to be played with, and that’s how I want to be looked at as a player.”

And you know what’s often the deciding factor in making or breaking a rookie’s season? Nothing too complex, just plain confidence. Thanks to Thomas, Morrow is brimming with it. She had also said how she draws from her senior’s attitude on and off the court and just keeps pushing forward. “

That grit, that determination is what I try to mold my game around,” Morrow said. “I know that when you’re undersized, people might look at that as a disadvantage, but I don’t. I feel like I play a lot bigger than my size, and I’m able to hold my own against people that’s 6′6″, 6′8″ that I’ve played against this year as well”. 

Well, hearing her speak, it makes sense why some people would be relieved that they are not playing against her.

Someone was pretty reluctant about having to go against Morrow

Listen to this. Saniya Rivers knows that she is long and athletic. She takes pride in being versatile, and she uses that to her advantage in the best manner possible. She is confident that all these skills will translate to the next level. Yet, when it comes to playing against Morrow? Nope. She doesn’t want to get into that territory.

“That’s my dog. I’m so happy to be playing with her. I was literally telling people, like playing against her in the W is going to be so tough,” Rivers said. “I literally had to guard her in the Sweet 16 and I was just like, uh-uh. We’re not doing that”. 

She further mentioned how they are going to make sure their game is heard loudest in the league. So…not just one, but two amazingly confident rookies? Sign us up. After all, to achieve their goals after this massive exodus, the Sun side needs 100% production from their rookies, and they both will prove to be great teammates for Mabrey, around whom the team’s offense is built.

With her AT-like performances on court, Morrow already has upped expectations. Not to forget that Morrow is only the second player, after Courtney Paris, in the NCAA to have more than 100 double-double performances. As for Rivers, she is the only player in her college team’s history with at least 1,100 points, 600 rebounds, 350 assists, 180 steals, and 100 blocks.

So, both of them will look to live up to all the expectations as the practice sessions and the new season in just around the corner. And we have every reason to believe in them.