Connecticut Sun Roster 2025: Full Breakdown of the Team

The Connecticut Sun is one of the most prominent teams in the WNBA. They have consistently been making playoff runs and putting forward some of the top talents in the WNBA. With a strong fan base and rich history, they remain a dominant force in the league. They have never won a WNBA title, but they have reached the WNBA Finals four times (2004, 2005, 2019, 2022). Richard Menzie was appointed the new head coach of the Connecticut Sun on 4 December 2024. Menzie brings immense experience from both the French women’s basketball league and international competitions. The Connecticut Sun's roster has undergone a significant change. They lost all five of their starters from 2024, including Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Brionna Jones, who either left via trade or free agency. In their place, the Sun have brought back veteran Tina Charles, acquired guards like Lindsay Allen and Jacy Sheldon, and drafted three promising rookies, aiming to rebuild around a new core

Connecticut Sun Roster 2025

The Connecticut Sun enters the 2025 WNBA season in a period of significant transformation, moving beyond their long-established core in pursuit of a championship. After a consistent run of playoff appearances, including multiple WNBA Finals, the Sun's roster has undergone a near-complete overhaul. This shift saw the departure of all five starters from their 2024 squad, as mentioned above. This dramatic retooling signifies a clear commitment to forging a fresh path towards their first WNBA championship, embracing a future built on new leadership and a vibrant mix of youth and experience. As per the Connecticut Sun Roster 2025 provided in ESPN's team roster, we have presented the players with their height, position, age, and college in the table below:

Connecticut Sun Key Players

The Connecticut Sun's success in 2025 depends on the performance of key players like Tina Charles, Marina Mabrey, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Charles, a returning legend and former WNBA MVP, provides leadership, dominant post-scoring, and rebounding abilities, which can help the team achieve its first WNBA championship. Her ability to play offensively and defensively is crucial for forming a strong squad. Connecticut Sun Players are mainly focusing on improving their gameplay and winning title.

Marina Mabrey is expected to be a primary scoring threat and playmaker. Her offensive ability, particularly her three-point shooting and ability to create her own shot, will be vital in a new-look offense. She is a proven scorer, as we will go through her records and achievements in this article, and the third one, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, a developing young center, offers size, athleticism, and defensive presence. Her growth in rebounding and shot-blocking will be critical to support Charles and maintain a strong interior defense. Together, their combined experience, scoring punch, and defensive impact are essential for the Sun to leave a significant mark in the competitive WNBA this season. They are the best players amongst the Connecticut Sun's players.

#1: Tina Charles (16.6 Points)

Tina Charles has a mind-blowing list of accomplishments, making her an incredible WNBA player. She got Rookie of the Year in 2010 and WNBA MVP in 2012. She's a multi-time All-Star and has been named to various All-WNBA teams besides numerous All-Defensive teams. Outstandingly, she is the WNBA's all-time driving rebounder and ranks second all-time in scoring. Past the WNBA, Charles is a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist with Team USA.

The Connecticut Sun picked Tina Charles as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2010 WNBA Draft for obvious reasons. Coming out of UConn, she was a dominant force, leading the Huskies to back-to-back undefeated national championships. Her collegiate career saw her set program records for rebounds and establish herself as an elite post player with a strong defensive presence and exceptional rebounding ability. The Sun saw a generational talent who could immediately anchor their frontcourt and build a franchise around, which she certainly did during her initial impactful tenure with the team. Her contribution to the team make her one of the best Connecticut Sun basketball players.

#2: Marina Mabrey (15.2 Points)

Marina Mabrey has built a strong WNBA career, highlighted by her versatile scoring and playmaking. While she doesn't hold league statistical records like all-time points or rebounds, she's had notable individual performances, including breaking the Chicago Sky's single-season three-point record and consistently averaging double-digit scoring with multiple teams. She was a key player on the 2018 NCAA Champion Notre Dame team, showcasing her ability to perform in big moments. The Connecticut Sun didn't draft Marina Mabrey directly; she was originally picked 19th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2019 WNBA Draft.

The Sun acquired her via trade from the Chicago Sky in July 2024. Their motivation for bringing her in was clear: to add significant offensive firepower and perimeter shooting, areas they felt needed a boost to truly contend for a championship. Mabrey brings an assertive scoring style, the ability to create her own shot, and proven three-point range, which the Sun viewed as the missing piece to elevate their offense and complement their existing talent.

#3: Olivia Nelson-Ododa (8.7 Points)

Olivia Nelson-Ododa, a towering presence on the court, has steadily built her professional resume since entering the WNBA. While not holding major league career records, her college tenure at UConn was filled with accolades, including All-Big East selections and the 2021 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year award. She was instrumental in UConn's multiple NCAA Final Four appearances, showcasing her abilities as a dominant rebounder and shot-blocker. In the WNBA, she's established herself as a valuable post player, known for her efficiency and defensive contributions, consistently providing critical depth for her teams. The Connecticut Sun didn't draft Olivia Nelson-Ododa straightforwardly.

She was initially the 19th overall choice by the Los Angeles Sparks within the 2022 WNBA Draft. In any case, the Sun recognized her potential and obtained her in an exchange with the Flashes in January 2023. Their choice to exchange for her was driven by a requirement in terms of length, physicality, and flexibility in their frontcourt. Coming from a storied program like UConn, Nelson-Ododa brought a solid, established, bouncing-back constancy. The Sun saw her as a promising youthful player who seemed to fit into a key piece for their championship goals, fitting perfectly into their framework that values solid defense and productive inside play.

Connecticut Sun Draft Picks 2025

For the Connecticut Sun Draft Picks 2025, the team made three selections to their roster, which includes Aneesah Morrow, an energetic forward from LSU. Morrow is known for her tireless bouncing back, tall engine, and capacity to score interior, frequently drawing comparisons for her undersized but tireless post-play. Then they have drafted Saniya Rivers, a versatile guard out of NC State. The Sun looked to support their backcourt with a player who can watch numerous positions, thrust the pace, and contribute to their move offensively, fitting well with their physical and fast-paced style of play. Finally, Connecticut included Rayah Marshall, a forward/center from USC. Marshall offers more measure, protective flexibility, and bounce back ability, capable of extending the floor and affecting the amusement on both ends. These picks reflect the Sun's key strategy on building around a center of youthful, athletic, and defensive players who can develop inside their framework, pointing to cementing their future dispute. Let's get to know why they are the Connecticut Sun's Draft Picks 2025.

Aneesah Morrow (Forward)

The Connecticut Sun's decision to draft Aneesah Morrow with the 7th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft stemmed from her rebounding and consistent double-double threat. Despite being slightly undersized for a power forward, her ability to impact the game on both ends was undeniable. The Sun aimed to inject a new source of energy, toughness, and consistent production into their post-Alyssa Thomas era. Morrow's experience playing at high-level programs like DePaul and LSU also demonstrated her readiness for the professional game. Morrow's records and achievements are extensive. She finished her college career as only the second player in NCAA Division I history to record at least 100 double-doubles (104 total), and the third all-time in rebounds (1,714). She twice led the nation in rebounding (13.8 RPG in 2021-22 and 13.5 RPG in 2024-25).

In her senior year at LSU (2024-25), she was named the Katrina McClain Award winner (nation's best power forward), a WBCA Coaches' All-American, USBWA First-Team All-American, and AP Second-Team All-American. She also garnered First-Team All-SEC honors and led the nation with 30 double-doubles in her final season. At DePaul, she was the 2022 WBCA and USBWA National Freshman of the Year and a 2x First-Team All-Big East selection. Her impressive resume raises no doubts on her addition to the Connecticut Sun's roster.

Saniya Rivers (Guard)

The Connecticut Sun selected Saniya Rivers with the 8th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft due to her exceptional versatility as a guard, strong defensive instincts, and high-level collegiate experience. Her time at both the University of South Carolina (where she won a national championship) and NC State prepared her for the intensity of professional basketball. She has achieved many awards, some of which include a Gatorade National Player of the Year (2021) and a McDonald's All-American (2021) in high school. In college, she was part of the 2022 NCAA National Championship team with South Carolina. After transferring to NC State, she quickly became a key contributor, earning ACC Sixth Player of the Year (2023). In both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, she was recognized with First-Team All-ACC honors and was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team, showcasing her consistent two-way impact.

Rivers also holds a unique distinction at NC State as the only player in program history with at least 1,100 points, 600 rebounds, 350 assists, 180 steals, and 100 blocks, accomplishing this feat in just three seasons. She helped lead NC State to an ACC regular season title (2025) and their first Final Four appearance (2024) since 1998, further solidifying her resume as a top-tier prospect. And emerging as a serious threat on the Connecticut Sun roster.

Rayah Marshall (Center/Forward)

The Connecticut Sun's selection of Rayah Marshall with the 25th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft was driven by her strong defensive presence, elite shot-blocking ability, and consistent rebounding from the forward/center position. The Sun, undergoing a roster transformation, sought a player who could immediately contribute defensively and provide energy in the paint. Marshall's consistent growth throughout her four years at USC, culminating in two Elite Eight appearances, showcased her readiness for the professional level and her ability to anchor a strong frontcourt. Her fit alongside veteran Charles also provides a valuable learning opportunity and a dynamic post rotation. Marshall's records and achievements are impressive.

She was a McDonald's All-American (2021) coming out of high school. In college at USC, she became the eighth player in program history to surpass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career. She finished her collegiate career ranking third all-time in USC history in blocked shots with 306, trailing only Lisa Leslie and Cheryl Miller, and holds the single-season program record for blocks (98 in 2022-23). She was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2025), All-Pac-12 First Team (2023), and Pac-12 All-Defensive Team (2023). Her senior season (2024-25) saw her average 7.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks, and she recorded her 40th career double-double in USC's Elite Eight loss to UConn. She also represented the USA at the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, winning a silver medal.

Connecticut Sun Season Expectations

The Connecticut Sun's 2025 season marks a critical move, as the group navigates a considerable list upgrade and appoints a new head coach, Rachid Meziane. Following a long time of profound playoff runs that fell short of a championship, the Sun are in a transitional stage, prioritizing the improvement of their modern center. Key offseason augmentations, just like the return of WNBA legend Tina Charles, offer a solid, ingenious scoring, whereas Marina Mabrey gives a much-needed aggressive start and perimeter threat. Alongside these seasoned veterans, promising youthful gifts who were Connecticut Sun Draft Picks 2025, are venturing into extended roles. However, this period of transition has predictably led to some early-season challenges and a difficult start. The immediate performance expectation for the 2025 season is focused less on securing a top playoff seed and more on fostering team chemistry, establishing a new offensive and defensive identity under Coach Meziane, and demonstrating consistent growth from game to game. Their current performance shows that the upcoming path will be difficult for them, mainly in competitive leagues. While individual brilliance from players like Charles and Mabrey will undoubtedly lead to some strong outings, the team's overall depth and consistent offensive flow are still very much a work in progress as they integrate new pieces and concepts.

Regarding their potential playoff trajectory, the Connecticut Sun face an uphill battle in 2025. Current expert predictions suggest low odds for a postseason berth, as they trail significantly in the standings. Their ability to make a late-season push will hinge on how quickly their new roster additions can fully work, how effectively their young players adapt to the demands of the professional game, and if they can develop the consistency needed to string together wins against formidable opponents. While a playoff spot would be a considerable overachievement given their current standing, the overarching goal for the Sun this year is to lay down a solid foundation and show clear signs of progress that can propel them towards true contention in future seasons.