The Connecticut Sun are enduring one of the toughest campaigns in their history with a 6-26 record as of August 14, reflecting struggles that have fallen short of the franchise’s usual standards. This difficult phase is partly due to the team‘s focus on developing a young roster, with half of the players under the age of 25, signaling a rebuilding process led by key veterans.
At the forefront of this transition are Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey, the team’s primary scorers for much of the season, who have been guiding the squad through its growing pains. Though progress has been gradual, recent performances suggest the young players, alongside their experienced leaders, are beginning to adjust and grow within the competitive atmosphere of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA.
Emerging Talents Among Rookies and Sophomores Spark Optimism
The rise of certain young players has given Connecticut hopeful signs for the future. Leïla Lacan, in particular, has made significant strides during her rookie season. Between August 5 and 13, she recorded four games scoring in double figures out of five appearances, highlighted by a 17-point and five-assist effort against the Chicago Sky that contributed to a 71-62 victory. Despite spending most of the 2024 season in France, Lacan’s influence on the Sun has been increasingly notable.
Saniya Rivers has also elevated her game, especially in a matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, where she amassed 17 points on 70% shooting, along with four assists, three steals, a block, and a rebound. As the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 draft, Rivers’ performance is exactly the kind the Sun hoped for, showcasing both offensive potential and defensive versatility.
Aneesah Morrow is another young player stepping up, demonstrated by her strong outing against the Golden State Valkyries. In that game, she scored 13 points, pulled down 14 rebounds—11 defensive and three offensive—while contributing a steal and maintaining disciplined play with only one foul. As the No. 7 pick in the upcoming draft, Morrow’s steady improvement throughout her rookie year offers more promise for the team’s depth.
Future Outlook for Connecticut’s Developing Core
With seven of the 12 players entering the offseason in the last year of their contracts, the Sun will need to see continued progress from these recent draft picks to boost their long-term prospects. While these developments may not turn their 2025 season immediately around, they represent critical building blocks for the team’s future competitiveness.
The combination of Tina Charles’ leadership and the young core’s emerging talent creates a foundation that could propel the Connecticut Sun into a stronger position in upcoming seasons. As the players gain more experience and cohesion, their steady growth will be essential for the franchise’s goal of returning to playoff contention and establishing sustained success within the WNBA.