When the Connecticut Sun entered the semifinals of the 2024 playoffs, everyone knew it was going to be a hard-fought battle. Why not? Going up against one of the best defenses across the WNBA is no easy feat. But despite having an edge, the Sun’s season concluded with a loss to the Minnesota Lynx, ending their series 3-2.

Though it wasn’t the worst outcome, what followed hit harder. First, the Sun’s defensive strategist, Stephanie White, joined the Fever. Then, the entire starting lineup from the previous season—Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, Dijonai Carrington, and Tyasha Harris—departed. So, quite clearly, the franchise was left with nothing. But don’t worry—the GM was ready to step in and rescue the falling Sun.

And she did whatever she could to save the franchise. At the 2025 WNBA Draft, she knew exactly what to do. Just a couple of minutes into the draft, it was official. The Sun first selected LSU forward Aneesah Morrow with the No. 7 overall pick and then added NC State guard Saniya Rivers with the No. 8 pick.

Tuck’s plan wasn’t just luck—she traded up from No. 25, snagging the No. 7 pick and a 2026 first-rounder from the Liberty for Natasha Cloud, then landed No. 8 from Indiana in a four-team deal that sent Alyssa Thomas to Phoenix.

That’s how the best-case scenario for GM Morgan Tuck fell into place.
“You’re always nervous because you do a lot of planning and prep, so I think first you want to make sure and put your planning to the test,” Tuck said. “Honestly, I would say we targeted the ones that we got. That’s who we really thought would be there, that’s who we wanted, that’s who we were hoping wouldn’t go before our picks—so it really worked out for us.”

And since the Sun got exactly what they wanted, they didn’t waste much time. Within 24 hours, both Morrow and Rivers were introduced together in Connecticut. And that’s where the drama began.

“To see Aneesah get called before me, and then my name called right after… (0:57) oh, I’m going with my dog, that’s what’s up. So I was just really relieved,” shared Rivers.

What might have been the Sun’s biggest steal also carried the echoes of a rivalry-turned-friendship. Good? Probably. It all started during the Sweet 16 game where both players were opponents. During the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Morrow delivered 30 points while grabbing 19 rebounds, leading LSU to an 80-73 victory—ending NC State’s season.

“And it was one point during that Sweet 16 game, like, I was guarding her. And of course, I’m a little nervous, because I’m long, but she’s strong as an ox. And we was talking junk. I remember we was talking about it. Flau’jae came,” shared Rivers.

“She was like, ‘Hey, that’s a mismatch right there.’ I was like, ‘Yo, Aneesah, tell her. Tell her that ain’t no mismatch.’ So I guard her, and then I block her shot like three times. But then she came back and scored on me like three or four times.”

And yes, that was the tension—or rather, the competitive spirit—between the two players. But it isn’t like that anymore. “Me and Aneesah, we’re so cool,” declared the newly drafted guard. Good news for the Sun, since the team worked quite strategically to acquire both picks.

How? At the beginning of the draft, the Sun held a single pick—No. 25. But they made some moves and ended up with a pair of first-rounders via trade. First, they obtained the No. 7 pick and a 2026 first-rounder from the Liberty in exchange for veteran guard Natasha Cloud. Then, they moved up to No. 8 from the Indiana Fever as part of a four-team blockbuster deal that sent Alyssa Thomas to the Mercury and starting guards Harris and Carrington to Dallas.

But the team wasn’t done yet. They later used the No. 25 pick on Southern Cal’s Rayah Marshall, a 6-foot-4 power forward. Marshall’s a defensive beast, averaging 2.1 blocks at USC, and her length adds a new dimension to the frontcourt. And now, just like that, the Sun are once again standing out with one of the best young lineups in the league.

How Connecticut Sun blending its roster for the upcoming season?

Under the leadership of new head coach Rachid Meziane, the Sun aren’t just aiming to compete, they’re aiming to redefine who they are. At the heart of this transformation is a powerful mix of seasoned stars who’ve seen it all and young players hungry to prove themselves.

Tina Charles, the former league MVP, returns to anchor the paint with her trademark toughness and savvy. She’s not just a scorer or a rebounder, she’s a tone-setter. Right beside her, Marina Mabrey brings that edge and scoring punch, while Diamond DeShields provides a jolt of energy and leadership on the wing.

These three aren’t just veterans, they’re vocal, battle-tested leaders who can steady a team when the moment gets tense. And then there’s new wave of draftees. Morrow is an absolute beast on the boards, she attacks every rebound like it insulted her family.

Rivers is a lockdown defender who thrives on turning stops into buckets, and Marshall? She’s a do-it-all forward who brings size, length, and that rare feel for the game you just can’t teach. Add in a little international flair, and the Sun are starting to feel like a true modern team.

Players like France’s Leïla Lacan and Mali’s Kariata Diaby offer a different style and skillset, smooth, creative, and tough. Their versatility gives Meziane options to tinker with lineups, whether he wants to go big, go fast, or lock up defensively. Of course, putting all that talent on one roster doesn’t guarantee chemistry—but that’s where this new Connecticut identity really starts to take shape.

This group is being built with purpose. You’ve got vets who know how to lead, rookies who are eager to learn, and role players ready to step up when called upon. The team’s early training sessions and preseason workouts have reportedly emphasized communication, trust, and defining roles.

So here they are, a squad with old-school grit and new-school talent, about to write a new chapter for the Sun. It’s not just about bouncing back—it’s about rising. And if they can find that sweet spot between experience and energy, Connecticut might just be one of the most dangerous teams in the W this season.