The season has ended in disappointment for the Connecticut Sun and roster change requirements are becoming undeniable. The Sun have been eliminated from playoff contention after the 75-82 defeat against the New York Liberty on Saturday. But their off-court moves may bring some hope to the franchise, as the Sun have signed a rookie guard while waiving a 2025 draft pick.
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“Ashlon Jackson has signed a rest-of-season contract with the Sun. Connecticut waives Rayah Marshall,” read UnderdogWNBA’s post on X.
Jackson, a Duke University alum, was initially drafted 23rd overall by the Golden State Valkyries in 2026. After they waived her in May, she signed a developmental contract with the Connecticut Sun. After a First-team All-ACC nomination in her last year in college, the W was not going how she’d planned. But now, signed to the Sun on a ‘rest-of-season’ contract, she will play the remaining 11 games of the regular season schedule.
Ashlon Jackson has played seven games for the Sun this season so far, averaging 1.4 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. In contrast, Rayah Marshall, a player the Connecticut Sun had drafted 25th overall in 2025, has barely featured, playing just two games this season. She was traded to the Dallas Wings in exchange for Diamond Miller. The Wings waived her in May 2026, and Marshall found herself signing two seven-day hardship contracts with her original team once again.
Marshall wasn’t great off the bench for the Suns last season either. She played only 15 games, averaging 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds. For the Sun, this current situation is a stark contrast to their performance just a few years back, when they reached the semifinals for six straight years between 2019 and 2024. This period included two trips to the WNBA Finals as well, in 2019 and 2022, though without any success.
With an 8-25 record, the Connecticut Sun currently sit 14th in the standings.
Rachid Meziane’s hiring has not reversed the Sun’s decline. This is the second consecutive year missing the playoffs under Meziane. They went through a seven-game losing streak earlier in the season, recording some high-margin defeats such as losing 123-88 against the Indiana Fever on July 22.
Connecticut has struggled at both ends of the floor this season. At 79.3 points per game, they rank at the bottom of the league in scoring, as per ESPN. Also, they struggle with their efficiency, shooting just 43.0% from the field, ranking above only the Golden State Valkyries. They also rank dead last when it comes to three-pointers made, at just 5.6 per game. This season has been rather rough for the Eastern Conference team.
The Connecticut Sun Face a Turbulent Time During Their Relocation
The Connecticut Sun’s season has been mired by injury and roster issues. This is Connecticut’s last season at the Mohegan Sun Arena. In May 2026, the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors approved a $300 million sale of the franchise from the Mohegan Tribe to Tilman J. Fertitta’s family. The franchise will now complete its move to Houston, Texas, ahead of the 2027 season, ending a 24-year stay in Connecticut.
It seems like the move is affecting the players more than anticipated, as performances have suffered. Guard Leila Lacan has been a bright spot in their offense, leading the team in assists (4.4) and steals (1.8). She is also the second-highest scorer, with 11.9 points averaged per game behind Brittney Griner. The Connecticut Sun have struggled to get on without Griner, who is out with a left knee issue.
Griner has added to the team’s scoring by contributing 13.2 points per game, but has missed crucial time down the stretch. The Sun are vastly outmatched in rebounding and interior defense. This has also forced center Olivia Nelson-Ododa into increased usage.
This latest loss against the Liberty exposed all the problems that Connecticut has faced this season. They also had their key players missing, with Griner out and Aaliyah Edwards dealing with a left ankle injury. Despite this, Connecticut put up a decent fight and were just a point behind at 62-63 with 7:05 minutes left in the fourth. However, the lack of bench depth and poor defensive display meant that Liberty won their ninth game in the last eleven.
Missing players, injury concerns, and massive change all seem to be contributing to a poor run of results. Connecticut Sun fans will hope that their team can turn over a new leaf under new ownership.