Connecticut Sun

The Connecticut Sun are an American professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Sun compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team is currently the only major league professional sports team based in Connecticut.

The team was established as the Orlando Miracle in 1999, during the league's expansion from ten to twelve teams, as a sister team to the NBA's Orlando Magic. In 2003, as financial strains left the team on the brink of disbanding, the Mohegan Indian tribe purchased and relocated the team to Mohegan Sun, becoming the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports franchise. The team's name comes from its affiliation with Mohegan Sun and its logo is reflective of a modern interpretation of an ancient Mohegan symbol. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in the state, as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies, the Sun held the distinction of being the only WNBA franchise not to share its market with an NBA team, until the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008 left the Storm as an independent team in Seattle. The San Antonio Stars also joined these two teams in this distinction when they relocated to Las Vegas before the 2018 season.

The Sun have qualified for the WNBA playoffs in 15 of their 21 seasons in Connecticut. Despite this, they are the oldest remaining franchise without a championship title.

On March 27, 2026, sources told ESPN that the Fertitta family, owners of the NBA's Houston Rockets, agreed to purchase the Connecticut Sun and relocate them to Houston, where they would be renamed the Houston Comets.

History

Orlando Miracle (1999–2002)

Before moving to Connecticut in 2003, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle. They played in Orlando, Florida, as a partner team to the Orlando Magic. The Miracle stopped operating after the 2002 season, and the team moved to Uncasville, Connecticut, becoming the Connecticut Sun. The new team kept a similar name and style to another Florida team that also stopped playing at the same time.

Relocation and rise to success (2003–2004)

With a new home and two players from the University of Connecticut, the Sun started the 2003 season. They finished with a good record and made the playoffs for the first time after moving. They won their first playoff series but lost in the next round. The next year, they improved and reached the league finals but lost the series.

Dynastic challenges (2005–2007)

In 2005, the Sun added a tall player and had the best record in their group. They reached the finals again but lost. They repeated their success in 2006, but lost in the playoffs. In 2007, they had a slow start but finished strong, only to lose in the first round of the playoffs after leading early in a game.

Brief slowdown (2008–2009)

The team made big changes to their players before the 2008 season. They started well but had a rough patch before finishing second in their group. They lost in the first round of the playoffs. The next year, they struggled to stay competitive and finished fourth, missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker.

Charles leads a comeback (2010–2012)

The team rebuilt by adding new players, including Tina Charles, who was chosen as the top pick in the draft. They missed the playoffs in 2010 but improved the next few years. By 2012, they finished first in their group and reached the league finals for the first time in several years, but lost the series.

Leadership change (2013–2016)

Looking to win a championship, the team hired a new coach. She coached for three years with mixed results. During this time, they hosted more league all-star games.

A new beginning (2016–2024)

With a new coach, the team made several player changes. They missed the playoffs in 2016 but returned the next year. They reached the playoffs several times after that, including trips to the league finals in 2019 and 2022, but lost both times.

Team sale (2025–present)

In 2025, the team began discussions about being sold. There were reports that the team might move out of Connecticut, which led to local support to keep the team in the state. Discussions continued about where the team might go and who might buy it.

Current home

The Sun play their games at Mohegan Sun Arena, owned by the Mohegan tribe and located in Uncasville, Connecticut. The arena is smaller than most others in the league. The Sun is the only major professional sports team based in Connecticut.

Uniforms

The Sun have changed their uniforms several times since starting in 1999. Their home and away uniforms have featured different colors and designs over the years, including white, red, blue, and orange. In recent years, they added a special uniform to honor the Mohegan tribe.

Season-by-season records

Players

The Connecticut Sun have a team of players who compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). They are part of the Eastern Conference and are the only major league team based in Connecticut.

Management, coaches and staff

Owners

• RDV Sports, Inc., owner of the Orlando Magic (1998–2002)
• Mohegan Sun (2003–present)

Head coaches

General managers

• Carolyn Peck (1998–2001)
• Dee Brown (2002)
• Chris Sienko (2003–2016)
• Curt Miller (2016–2022)
• Darius Taylor (2023–2024)
• Morgan Tuck (2024–present)

Assistant coaches

• Rick Stukes (1999–2000)
• Charlene Thomas-Swinson (1999–2001)
• Michael Peck (2001)
• Vonn Read (2002)
• Valerie Still (2002)
• Bernadette Mattox (2003–2012)
• Scott Hawk (2003–2012)
• Catherine Proto (2013)
• Jennifer Gillom (2013–2015)
• Steven Key (2014–2015)
• Nicki Collen (2016–2017)
• Steve Smith (2016–2018)
• Brandi Poole (2018–2022)
• Chris Koclanes (2019–2022)
• Abi Olajuwon (2023–2024)
• Briann January (2023–2024)
• Austin Kelly (2023–2024)
• Roneeka Hodges (2025–present)
• Ashlee McGee (2025–present)
• Pascal Angillis (2025–present)

Statistics

Media coverage

The Connecticut Sun’s games are shown on NBC Sports Boston, with some games also on NECN. In the past, their games were shown on NESN, WCTX in Connecticut, and other stations.

Listeners can hear all home games with Bob Heussler, and some games are also shown on national channels like CBS, ESPN, and ABC.

All-time notes

Regular season attendance

A full house at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando holds 17,248 people. At Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, a full house holds 9,518 people from 2003 to 2010, and 9,323 people since 2011.

Draft picks

The Connecticut Sun have chosen many players over the years in the WNBA Draft. Some notable selections include:

• 1999 Expansion Draft: Andrea Congreaves, Kisha Ford, Yolanda Moore, Adrienne Johnson
• 1999: Tari Phillips, Sheri Sam, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Carla McGhee, Elaine Powell
• 2000: Cintia dos Santos, Jannon Roland, Shawnetta Stewart, Romana Hamzová
• 2001: Katie Douglas, Brooke Wyckoff, Jaclyn Johnson, Anne Thorius
• 2002: Davalyn Cunningham, Saundra Jackson, Tomeka Brown
• 2003: Courtney Coleman, Lindsey Wilson
• 2004: Lindsay Whalen, Jessica Brungo, Ugo Oha, Candace Futrell
• 2005: Katie Feenstra, Erin Phillips, Megan Mahoney
• 2006: Debbie Merrill, Marita Payne
• 2007: Kamesha Hairston, Sandrine Gruda, Cori Chambers, Kiera Hardy
• 2008: Amber Holt, Ketia Swanier, Jolene Anderson, Lauren Ervin
• 2009: Chante Black, Lyndra Littles, Alba Torrens
• 2010: Tina Charles, Danielle McCray, Allison Hightower, Johannah Leedham
• 2011: Sydney Colson, Adrienne Johnson
• 2012: Astan Dabo, Chay Shegog
• 2013: Kelly Faris, Anna Prins, Andrea Smith
• 2014: Chiney Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray, DeNesha Stallworth
• 2015: Elizabeth Williams, Brittany Hrynko
• 2016: Morgan Tuck, Rachel Banham, Jamie Weisner, Aliyyah Handford
• 2017: Brionna Jones, Shayla Cooper, Leticia Romero, Jessica January
• 2018: Lexie Brown, Mikayla Cowling
• 2019: Kristine Anigwe, Bridget Carleton, Regan Magarity
• 2020: Kaila Charles, Juicy Landrum
• 2021: DiJonai Carrington, Micaela Kelly, Aleah Goodman
• 2022: Nia Clouden, Jordan Lewis, Kiara Smith
• 2023: Alexis Morris, Ashten Prechtel
• 2024: Leïla Lacan, Taiyanna Jackson, Helena Pueyo, Abbey Hsu
• 2025: Aneesah Morrow, Saniya Rivers, Rayah Marshall

Trades

The Connecticut Sun have made many trades over the years. Some of these trades include:

• April 18, 2002: The Sun got Clarisse Machanguana from the Charlotte Sting for a draft pick.
• July 8, 2002: The Sun traded Elaine Powell and a draft pick for Wendy Palmer and another draft pick.
• February 14, 2003: The Sun got Rebecca Lobo from the Houston Comets for a draft pick.
• January 28, 2004: The Sun traded Shannon Johnson and draft picks for other draft picks.
• March 25, 2004: The Sun got Asjha Jones from the Washington Mystics for a draft pick.
• April 16, 2005: The Sun got Margo Dydek from the San Antonio Silver Stars for Katie Feenstra and a draft pick.
• February 21, 2007: The Sun traded Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Los Angeles Sparks for Erika DeSouza and a draft pick.
• February 19, 2008: The Sun traded Katie Douglas to the Indiana Fever for Tamika Whitmore and draft rights.
• March 6, 2008: The Sun got Barbara Turner from the Houston Comets for Megan Mahoney.
• March 14, 2008: The Sun traded Kristen Rasmussen to the Minnesota Lynx for Tamika Raymond and draft options.
• January 12, 2010: The Sun traded Lindsay Whalen and a draft pick for Renee Montgomery and another draft pick.
• April 7, 2010: The Sun traded Amber Holt and Chante Black for draft picks.
• April 8, 2010: The Sun traded draft picks for Kelsey Griffin.
• April 11, 2011: The Sun traded a draft pick for Tahnee Robinson.
• April 11, 2011: The Sun got Kalana Greene from the New York Liberty for draft rights.
• June 20, 2013: The Sun traded a draft pick for Kayla Pedersen.
• March 12, 2014: The Sun traded Kara Lawson for Alex Bentley.
• April 14, 2014: The Sun traded Tina Charles for Kelsey Bone, Alyssa Thomas, and a draft pick.
• January 28, 2015: The Sun traded Renee Montgomery and draft picks for Camille Little and Shekinna Stricklen.
• April 16, 2015: The Sun traded Brittany Hrynko for Jasmine Thomas.
• May 13, 2015: The Sun traded Asjha Jones for a draft pick.
• February 3, 2016: The Sun traded Elizabeth Williams for a draft pick.
• April 14, 2016: The Sun traded Chelsea Gray and draft picks for Jonquel Jones and a draft pick.
• June 25, 2016: The Sun traded Kelsey Bone for Courtney Williams, Jillian Alleyne, and a draft pick.
• January 26, 2017: The Sun traded Aneika Henry-Morello for Reshanda Gray.
• February 21, 2017: The Sun traded Camille Little and draft rights for Lynetta Kizer and a draft pick.
• June 8, 2017: The Sun traded Jordan Hooper for a draft pick.
• February 2, 2018: The Sun traded a draft pick for Cayla George.
• April 12, 2018: The Sun traded draft picks for Bria Holmes.
• July 9, 2018: The Sun traded Alex Bentley for Layshia Clarendon and a draft pick.
• April 10, 2019: The Sun traded Lexie Brown for Natisha Hiedeman.
• April 27, 2019: The Sun traded Chiney Ogwumike for a draft pick.
• August 6, 2019: The Sun traded Kristine Anigwe for Theresa Plaisance.
• February 10, 2020: The Sun traded draft picks and Morgan Tuck for another draft pick.
• February 11, 2020: The Sun traded draft picks for DeWanna Bonner.
• February 19, 2020: The Sun traded Courtney Williams for Briann January and a draft pick.
• February 24, 2020: The Sun traded a draft pick for Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.
• February 25, 2020: The Sun traded Rachel Banham for a draft pick.
• January 16, 2023: The Sun traded Jonquel Jones for Rebecca Allen, a draft pick, and Tyasha Harris.
• January 16, 2023: The Sun traded Jasmine Thomas and a draft pick for Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Jasmine Walker, and Kianna Smith.
• February 9, 2023: The Sun traded a draft pick for Tiffany Hayes.
• May 16, 2023: The Sun traded a draft pick for Leigha Brown.
• February 3, 2024: The Sun traded Rebecca Allen for Moriah Jefferson.
• May 7, 2024: The Sun traded Queen Egbo for draft rights and a draft pick.
• July 17, 2024: The Sun traded players and draft picks for Marina Mabrey.
• February 2, 2025: The Sun traded players for Rebecca Allen, Natasha Cloud, Jacy Sheldon, and a draft pick.
• February 4, 2025: The Sun traded Rebecca Allen for Lindsay Allen and draft rights.
• March 16, 2025: The Sun traded Natasha Cloud for draft picks.
• August 7, 2025: The Sun traded Jacy Sheldon and draft rights for Aaliyah Edwards.

Franchise records and player accolades

Franchise leaders

Individual honors

The Connecticut Sun have had many players earn important awards. Tina Charles won the WNBA Most Valuable Player award in 2012, and Jonquel Jones won it in 2021.

Players like Katie Douglas, Lindsay Whalen, Tina Charles, Jonquel Jones, and Alyssa Thomas have been chosen for the All–WNBA First Team many times.

Other players have also earned many honors, including WNBA Most Improved Player, WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, and WNBA Coach of the Year.

All–Stars

Many Sun players have been chosen to play in the WNBA All–Star Game over the years.

Olympians

Some Connecticut Sun players have also competed in the Olympics for their countries, such as Tina Charles for the USA team in 2012 and Alyssa Thomas for the USA team in 2024.