Connecticut Sun
Encyclopedia
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball
team based in Uncasville, Connecticut
, playing in the Eastern Conference
in the Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA). The team was founded in Orlando, Florida
before the 1999 season
began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season
. The Sun was the first WNBA franchise not to be owned by an NBA
owner; the team is owned by the Mohegan
Indian
tribe. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in Connecticut as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies
, the Sun had the distinction of being the only WNBA team not to share its market with an NBA team from 2003 until the Seattle Supersonics
moved, leaving the Storm
alone in Seattle, Washington. Currently, the Sun is the only WNBA franchise (besides the defunct Miami Sol
) to finish each season with fewer than 20 losses.
The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs
in six of its eight years in Connecticut. Notable players include the 7 foot 2 inch, the late Margo Dydek
(died in 2011), Indiana native Katie Douglas
, University of Connecticut
standouts Asjha Jones
and Nykesha Sales
, 2010 Rookie of the Year
Tina Charles
and 2008
MVP runner-up point guard Lindsay Whalen
. In 2004
and 2005
, the Sun went to the WNBA Finals
but fell short to Seattle
and Sacramento
, respectively.
Before the franchise relocated to Connecticut
in 2003, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle
. The Orlando Miracle
played their games at TD Waterhouse Centre
(Orlando, Florida
) as the sister team of the Orlando Magic
. The Orlando Miracle
placed reasonable records in their four years of existence, and earned the third seed in the 2000 WNBA playoffs, losing in the first round against the Cleveland Rockers
. After the 2002 WNBA season
, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the teams, which placed the WNBA league in the middle of team contractions, relocations, and potential labor strife. As a result, the Orlando Magic
ownership was no longer interested in keeping the Miracle
. Since no local ownership was reached, the Orlando Miracle
were bought by the Mohegan
Native American Tribe. On January 28, 2003, it was announced that the Orlando Miracle
would immediately move to Uncasville, Connecticut
and change their nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun
casino). It is also worth noting that the Connecticut Sun's nickname, color scheme and logo are extremely reminiscent of another defunct Florida-based franchise, the Miami Sol
, which folded at the same time as the Orlando Miracle
.
With a new home in Uncasville and two former UConn Huskies on the roster, the Connecticut Sun entered the 2003 WNBA season
looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Indiana Fever
. The Connecticut Sun underwent a total overhaul during the offseason – acquiring former University of Connecticut
standout Rebecca Lobo
from the Houston Comets
and selecting Debbie Black
in the Miami Sol
/Portland Fire
dispersal draft. Additionally, general manager Chris Sienko named Mike Thibault
, a coaching veteran with two NBA titles as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
, as the first head coach for the franchise.
Despite making essential acquisitions and creating depth in their roster, the Connecticut Sun were predicted to finish towards the end of the Eastern Conference
standings. On May 24, 2003, the Connecticut Sun hosted their first regular-season game, which was shown on ABC
. The Connecticut Sun yielded to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks
, 82–73, before a sellout crowd of 9,341. However, the Connecticut Sun won their following road game by defeating the highly acclaimed Houston Comets
, with the final score of 91–83. Remarkably, the Connecticut Sun achieved their first victory at home by once again defeating the Houston Comets
, 65–58, at Mohegan Sun Arena
. At the conclusion of the 2003 WNBA season
, the Connecticut Sun surprised spectators by finishing with an 18–16 record, thus clinching the first playoff berth in their history. In the opening round, the Connecticut Sun won their first playoff series by sweeping the second-seeded Charlotte Sting
. In the Eastern Conference Finals
, however, the Connecticut Sun faced the Detroit Shock
. The Shock
were victorious in all four games against the Connecticut Sun in the regular season. Nonetheless, the Connecticut Sun finally succumbed to the eventual WNBA champion Detroit Shock
in two hard-fought, enduring games. The 2003 Eastern Conference Finals
would be the first of numerous postseason encounters that the Connecticut Sun had with the Detroit Shock
, before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma
.
That the Detroit Shock
swept the arduous series did nothing to diminish what the Sun accomplished in their first season in Connecticut
. The 2003 WNBA season
was highlighted by a number of other noteworthy accomplishments. For instance, Nykesha Sales
and Shannon Johnson
both achieved milestones by scoring 2,000 career points. Furthermore, as the season progressed, the Connecticut Sun attracted an increasing number of fans to the Mohegan Sun Arena
, averaging 7,195 per game following the All Star
break.
surprised many by trading all-star point guard Shannon Johnson
for the 4th pick in the WNBA Draft
. With that pick the Sun selected Minnesota Golden Gophers
star Lindsay Whalen
amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx
. However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18–16 record in an equally-talented Eastern Conference, winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun defeated the Washington Mystics
2–1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun rolled on, sweeping the New York Liberty
. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals
in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series, 2–1, to the Seattle Storm
.
In the 2005 off season, the Sun acquired 7'2" center Margo Dydek
. With a dominant post presence, the hungry Sun controlled the Eastern Conference, posting a 26–8 record, the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun flew to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock
and the Indiana Fever
. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs
team. Also against the Sun's luck, Lindsay Whalen
played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it was of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best-of-five format.
The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game
. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, Lisa Leslie
became the first woman to ever dunk in an All-Star Game.
, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. All five starters were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics
. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by the Detroit Shock
, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor.
The Sun stumbled out of the gate in 2007, posting a dismal 5–10 record by late June. However, the Sun stormed back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18–16, good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun faced the Indiana Fever
in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun allowed the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending with a 93–88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and therefore the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.
The 2007 season was the end of the Connecticut Sun that many fans had come to know.
, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever
. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore
who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years. Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales
announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries. 7'2" center Margo Dydek
also took the season off due to her pregnancy. With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream
.
Contrary to these predictions, the Sun started the season with an outstanding 8–1 record. Soon, however, the team found itself in a disappointing slump. The Sun went on a five-game losing streak, the worst ever for a team under Mike Thibault. The team finished the regular season with a 21–13 record which placed them second in the Eastern Conference, only one game out of first place. In the playoffs, the Sun's youth and inexperience caught up to them; the New York Liberty
won game three on the Sun's home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebuilding season, the Sun looked to come back even stronger in 2009. There was no reason to believe the Sun would not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127–77, translating into a winning percentage of .623, with the Detroit Shock
having the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game
was held on July 25 at 3:30pm in the Mohegan Sun Arena
. It was the second time the Sun had hosted the game. It was broadcast nationally on ABC
(HD
). Like the two previous seasons, they would start the season on a struggling note. But they later won 7 out of their next 10 games, putting them in playoff position. Halfway through the season, however, there was a three-way tie for second place which included the Sun, the Dream
, and the Mystics
. The Sun, plagued by a late-season injury to all-star Asjha Jones
missed the playoffs for the first time since moving from Orlando
. Sun fans found an unwelcome and unfamiliar ending to the 2009 season
. They finished overall with a 16–18 record and finished 6th in the East.
and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
to the Minnesota Lynx
. In exchange, the Sun received former University of Connecticut
standout Renee Montgomery
, as well as the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
. The purpose of this trade was to secure their selection of the dominant center, Tina Charles
. This move meant that Sandrine Gruda
would shift to power forward and Asjha Jones
would move to the three. Furthermore, the Sun were in need of an outside scoring presence, since last year's squad shot just 31.6 percent from downtown. As a result, the Sun acquired forward Kelsey Griffin
, who was taken third overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft
by the Minnesota Lynx
. In return, Minnesota
received the Sun's first and second round draft picks for the 2011 WNBA Draft
. To conclude their busy draft day, the Sun selected Danielle McCray
out of Kansas and Allison Hightower
from Louisiana State. On February 2, 2010, the Sun also announced the signing of Olympian
and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson
.
In addition to acquiring Kara Lawson
, the Sun were able to select DeMya Walker
as the third overall selection in the Sacramento Monarchs
dispersal draft. These two experienced players provided a veteran presence and served as mentors to the young Sun team. With the numerous acquisitions during the off-season, the Sun hoped that their young core of players could complement their veteran guards.
After the 2010 WNBA season
, news surfaced that the Connecticut Sun were the first franchise in WNBA history to turn a profit.
The 2011 season
started well for the Sun. Few changes were made in the offseason, which gave the team some consistency and a year of experience on which to build. Sandrine Gruda
and Anete Jekabsone-Zogota decided to sit out the season, so the Sun looked elsewhere, adding Jessica Moore
and relying on rookie Danielle McCray
to step up and score. In a tough Eastern Conference, the Sun held a 9–5 record going into the All-Star break
.
. Mohegan Sun
, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive entertainment, gaming, shopping and hotel destinations in the United States
. The arena is located at Mohegan Sun
Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut
. Compared to other arenas played at by teams in the WNBA, Mohegan Sun Arena
is considerably small. The maximum capacity in the entire arena (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game is 9,518. The Connecticut Sun are the only major professional franchise located in the Hartford market.
The Mohegan Sun Arena
is located in the center of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino. Due to this placement, Connecticut Sun fans take advantage of the restaurants, shops and other destinations in the casino before and after games. Frequently, Connecticut Sun and opposing players can be found eating in restaurants after games. Opposing teams stay in the hotel at the casino and are often seen walking from the arena to the lobby. All members of the Connecticut Sun organization are considered employees of the casino, and as such, are unable to partake in any of the games of chance offered there.
|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun statistics
|- valign="top"
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The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball
team based in Uncasville, Connecticut
, playing in the Eastern Conference
in the Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA). The team was founded in Orlando, Florida
before the 1999 season
began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season
. The Sun was the first WNBA franchise not to be owned by an NBA
owner; the team is owned by the Mohegan
Indian
tribe. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in Connecticut as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies
, the Sun had the distinction of being the only WNBA team not to share its market with an NBA team from 2003 until the Seattle Supersonics
moved, leaving the Storm
alone in Seattle, Washington. Currently, the Sun is the only WNBA franchise (besides the defunct Miami Sol
) to finish each season with fewer than 20 losses.
The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs
in six of its eight years in Connecticut. Notable players include the 7 foot 2 inch, the late Margo Dydek
(died in 2011), Indiana native Katie Douglas
, University of Connecticut
standouts Asjha Jones
and Nykesha Sales
, 2010 Rookie of the Year
Tina Charles
and 2008
MVP runner-up point guard Lindsay Whalen
. In 2004
and 2005
, the Sun went to the WNBA Finals
but fell short to Seattle
and Sacramento
, respectively.
Before the franchise relocated to Connecticut
in 2003, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle
. The Orlando Miracle
played their games at TD Waterhouse Centre
(Orlando, Florida
) as the sister team of the Orlando Magic
. The Orlando Miracle
placed reasonable records in their four years of existence, and earned the third seed in the 2000 WNBA playoffs, losing in the first round against the Cleveland Rockers
. After the 2002 WNBA season
, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the teams, which placed the WNBA league in the middle of team contractions, relocations, and potential labor strife. As a result, the Orlando Magic
ownership was no longer interested in keeping the Miracle
. Since no local ownership was reached, the Orlando Miracle
were bought by the Mohegan
Native American Tribe. On January 28, 2003, it was announced that the Orlando Miracle
would immediately move to Uncasville, Connecticut
and change their nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun
casino). It is also worth noting that the Connecticut Sun's nickname, color scheme and logo are extremely reminiscent of another defunct Florida-based franchise, the Miami Sol
, which folded at the same time as the Orlando Miracle
.
With a new home in Uncasville and two former UConn Huskies on the roster, the Connecticut Sun entered the 2003 WNBA season
looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Indiana Fever
. The Connecticut Sun underwent a total overhaul during the offseason – acquiring former University of Connecticut
standout Rebecca Lobo
from the Houston Comets
and selecting Debbie Black
in the Miami Sol
/Portland Fire
dispersal draft. Additionally, general manager Chris Sienko named Mike Thibault
, a coaching veteran with two NBA titles as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
, as the first head coach for the franchise.
Despite making essential acquisitions and creating depth in their roster, the Connecticut Sun were predicted to finish towards the end of the Eastern Conference
standings. On May 24, 2003, the Connecticut Sun hosted their first regular-season game, which was shown on ABC
. The Connecticut Sun yielded to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks
, 82–73, before a sellout crowd of 9,341. However, the Connecticut Sun won their following road game by defeating the highly acclaimed Houston Comets
, with the final score of 91–83. Remarkably, the Connecticut Sun achieved their first victory at home by once again defeating the Houston Comets
, 65–58, at Mohegan Sun Arena
. At the conclusion of the 2003 WNBA season
, the Connecticut Sun surprised spectators by finishing with an 18–16 record, thus clinching the first playoff berth in their history. In the opening round, the Connecticut Sun won their first playoff series by sweeping the second-seeded Charlotte Sting
. In the Eastern Conference Finals
, however, the Connecticut Sun faced the Detroit Shock
. The Shock
were victorious in all four games against the Connecticut Sun in the regular season. Nonetheless, the Connecticut Sun finally succumbed to the eventual WNBA champion Detroit Shock
in two hard-fought, enduring games. The 2003 Eastern Conference Finals
would be the first of numerous postseason encounters that the Connecticut Sun had with the Detroit Shock
, before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma
.
That the Detroit Shock
swept the arduous series did nothing to diminish what the Sun accomplished in their first season in Connecticut
. The 2003 WNBA season
was highlighted by a number of other noteworthy accomplishments. For instance, Nykesha Sales
and Shannon Johnson
both achieved milestones by scoring 2,000 career points. Furthermore, as the season progressed, the Connecticut Sun attracted an increasing number of fans to the Mohegan Sun Arena
, averaging 7,195 per game following the All Star
break.
surprised many by trading all-star point guard Shannon Johnson
for the 4th pick in the WNBA Draft
. With that pick the Sun selected Minnesota Golden Gophers
star Lindsay Whalen
amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx
. However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18–16 record in an equally-talented Eastern Conference, winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun defeated the Washington Mystics
2–1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun rolled on, sweeping the New York Liberty
. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals
in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series, 2–1, to the Seattle Storm
.
In the 2005 off season, the Sun acquired 7'2" center Margo Dydek
. With a dominant post presence, the hungry Sun controlled the Eastern Conference, posting a 26–8 record, the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun flew to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock
and the Indiana Fever
. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs
team. Also against the Sun's luck, Lindsay Whalen
played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it was of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best-of-five format.
The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game
. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, Lisa Leslie
became the first woman to ever dunk in an All-Star Game.
, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. All five starters were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics
. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by the Detroit Shock
, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor.
The Sun stumbled out of the gate in 2007, posting a dismal 5–10 record by late June. However, the Sun stormed back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18–16, good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun faced the Indiana Fever
in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun allowed the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending with a 93–88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and therefore the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.
The 2007 season was the end of the Connecticut Sun that many fans had come to know.
, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever
. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore
who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years. Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales
announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries. 7'2" center Margo Dydek
also took the season off due to her pregnancy. With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream
.
Contrary to these predictions, the Sun started the season with an outstanding 8–1 record. Soon, however, the team found itself in a disappointing slump. The Sun went on a five-game losing streak, the worst ever for a team under Mike Thibault. The team finished the regular season with a 21–13 record which placed them second in the Eastern Conference, only one game out of first place. In the playoffs, the Sun's youth and inexperience caught up to them; the New York Liberty
won game three on the Sun's home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebuilding season, the Sun looked to come back even stronger in 2009. There was no reason to believe the Sun would not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127–77, translating into a winning percentage of .623, with the Detroit Shock
having the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game
was held on July 25 at 3:30pm in the Mohegan Sun Arena
. It was the second time the Sun had hosted the game. It was broadcast nationally on ABC
(HD
). Like the two previous seasons, they would start the season on a struggling note. But they later won 7 out of their next 10 games, putting them in playoff position. Halfway through the season, however, there was a three-way tie for second place which included the Sun, the Dream
, and the Mystics
. The Sun, plagued by a late-season injury to all-star Asjha Jones
missed the playoffs for the first time since moving from Orlando
. Sun fans found an unwelcome and unfamiliar ending to the 2009 season
. They finished overall with a 16–18 record and finished 6th in the East.
and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
to the Minnesota Lynx
. In exchange, the Sun received former University of Connecticut
standout Renee Montgomery
, as well as the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
. The purpose of this trade was to secure their selection of the dominant center, Tina Charles
. This move meant that Sandrine Gruda
would shift to power forward and Asjha Jones
would move to the three. Furthermore, the Sun were in need of an outside scoring presence, since last year's squad shot just 31.6 percent from downtown. As a result, the Sun acquired forward Kelsey Griffin
, who was taken third overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft
by the Minnesota Lynx
. In return, Minnesota
received the Sun's first and second round draft picks for the 2011 WNBA Draft
. To conclude their busy draft day, the Sun selected Danielle McCray
out of Kansas and Allison Hightower
from Louisiana State. On February 2, 2010, the Sun also announced the signing of Olympian
and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson
.
In addition to acquiring Kara Lawson
, the Sun were able to select DeMya Walker
as the third overall selection in the Sacramento Monarchs
dispersal draft. These two experienced players provided a veteran presence and served as mentors to the young Sun team. With the numerous acquisitions during the off-season, the Sun hoped that their young core of players could complement their veteran guards.
After the 2010 WNBA season
, news surfaced that the Connecticut Sun were the first franchise in WNBA history to turn a profit.
The 2011 season
started well for the Sun. Few changes were made in the offseason, which gave the team some consistency and a year of experience on which to build. Sandrine Gruda
and Anete Jekabsone-Zogota decided to sit out the season, so the Sun looked elsewhere, adding Jessica Moore
and relying on rookie Danielle McCray
to step up and score. In a tough Eastern Conference, the Sun held a 9–5 record going into the All-Star break
.
. Mohegan Sun
, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive entertainment, gaming, shopping and hotel destinations in the United States
. The arena is located at Mohegan Sun
Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut
. Compared to other arenas played at by teams in the WNBA, Mohegan Sun Arena
is considerably small. The maximum capacity in the entire arena (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game is 9,518. The Connecticut Sun are the only major professional franchise located in the Hartford market.
The Mohegan Sun Arena
is located in the center of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino. Due to this placement, Connecticut Sun fans take advantage of the restaurants, shops and other destinations in the casino before and after games. Frequently, Connecticut Sun and opposing players can be found eating in restaurants after games. Opposing teams stay in the hotel at the casino and are often seen walking from the arena to the lobby. All members of the Connecticut Sun organization are considered employees of the casino, and as such, are unable to partake in any of the games of chance offered there.
|-
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 10%;"| Season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 8%;" | Team
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 12%;" | Conference
!colspan="3" style="background:#eee; width: 15%;"| Regular season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 30%;"| Playoff
results
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 13%;"| Head coach
|-
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|W
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|L
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|PCT
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#4682B4" | Orlando Miracle
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 1999
| 1999
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 4th
| 15
| 17
| .469
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2000
| 2000
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 3rd
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Cleveland
, 1–2)
| Carolyn Peck
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2001
| 2001
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 5th
| 13
| 19
| .406
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2002
| 2002
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 5th
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Dee Brown
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#092C57" | Connecticut Sun
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2003
| 2003
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Charlotte
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2004
| 2004
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 1st
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (New York
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Seattle
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2005
| 2005
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Detroit
, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Indiana
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Sacramento
, 1–3)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2006
| 2006
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2007
| 2007
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Indiana
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2008
| 2008
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (New York
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2009
| 2009
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 6th
| 16
| 18
| .471
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2010
| 2010
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 5th
| 17
| 17
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2011
| 2011
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Atlanta
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Regular season
|style="background:#eee;"| 241
|style="background:#eee;"| 193
|style="background:#eee;"| .555
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 2 Conference Championships
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Playoffs
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| .500
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 0 WNBA Championships
|}
|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun head coaches
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="15%" rowspan="2" | Name
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | Start
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | End
! width="5%" rowspan="2" | Seasons
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Regular season
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Playoffs
|-
! W !! L !! PCT !! G !! W !! L !! PCT !! G
|-
| Carolyn Peck
|| July 6, 1998 || April 3, 2002 || 4 || width="5%"|44 || width="5%"|52 || width="5%"|.458 || width="5%"|96 ||width="5%"|1 || width="5%"|2 || width="5%"|.333 || width="5%"|3
|-
| Dee Brown || April 5, 2002 || End of 2002
|| 1 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.500 || width="5%"|32 ||width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|.000 || width="5%"|0
|-
| Mike Thibault
|| March 7, 2003 || Current || 9 || width="5%"|181 || width="5%"|125 || width="5%"|.592 || width="5%"|306||width="5%"|17 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.515 || width="5%"|33
|}
|}
|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun statistics
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
|-
| 1999
| S. Johnson
(14.0)
| T. McWilliams (7.5)
| S. Johnson
(4.4)
| 68.9 vs 69.3
| 30.2 vs 31.4
| .424 vs .429
|}
|-
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
|-
| 2000
| T. McWilliams (13.7)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| S. Johnson
(5.3)
| 69.0 vs 69.8
| 28.9 vs 31.8
| .436 vs .433
|-
| 2001
| N. Sales
(13.5)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| E. Powell
(3.1)
| 66.9 vs 68.9
| 30.3 vs 30.5
| .401 vs .440
|-
| 2002
| S. Johnson
(16.1)
| W. Palmer (5.8)
| S. Johnson
(5.3)
| 70.4 vs 70.5
| 28.6 vs 32.7
| .422 vs .432
|-
| 2003
| N. Sales
(16.1)
| T. McWilliams (6.7)
| S. Johnson
(5.8)
| 70.1 vs 70.9
| 32.2 vs 34.6
| .411 vs .411
|-
| 2004
| N. Sales
(15.2)
| T. McWilliams (7.2)
| L. Whalen
(4.8)
| 68.7 vs 67.8
| 30.7 vs 31.3
| .427 vs .430
|-
| 2005
| N. Sales
(15.6)
| T. McWilliams (7.3)
| L. Whalen
(5.1)
| 72.8 vs 66.0
| 32.6 vs 31.7
| .452 vs .398
|-
| 2006
| K. Douglas
(16.4)
| T. McWilliams (9.6)
| L. Whalen
(4.6)
| 78.9 vs 71.1
| 37.3 vs 33.9
| .443 vs .402
|-
| 2007
| K. Douglas
(17.0)
| M. Dydek
(6.5)
| L. Whalen
(5.0)
| 78.7 vs 76.3
| 35.9 vs 34.7
| .430 vs .421
|-
| 2008
| A. Jones
(17.0)
| A. Jones
(6.1)
| L. Whalen
(5.4)
| 79.1 vs 74.7
| 36.4 vs 35.3
| .422 vs .418
|-
| 2009
| A. Jones
(16.7)
| S. Gruda
(6.3)
| L. Whalen
(4.6)
| 78.0 vs 78.1
| 34.8 vs 37.5
| .406 vs .426
|}
|-
|
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball
team based in Uncasville, Connecticut
, playing in the Eastern Conference
in the Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA). The team was founded in Orlando, Florida
before the 1999 season
began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season
. The Sun was the first WNBA franchise not to be owned by an NBA
owner; the team is owned by the Mohegan
Indian
tribe. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in Connecticut as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies
, the Sun had the distinction of being the only WNBA team not to share its market with an NBA team from 2003 until the Seattle Supersonics
moved, leaving the Storm
alone in Seattle, Washington. Currently, the Sun is the only WNBA franchise (besides the defunct Miami Sol
) to finish each season with fewer than 20 losses.
The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs
in six of its eight years in Connecticut. Notable players include the 7 foot 2 inch, the late Margo Dydek
(died in 2011), Indiana native Katie Douglas
, University of Connecticut
standouts Asjha Jones
and Nykesha Sales
, 2010 Rookie of the Year
Tina Charles
and 2008
MVP runner-up point guard Lindsay Whalen
. In 2004
and 2005
, the Sun went to the WNBA Finals
but fell short to Seattle
and Sacramento
, respectively.
Before the franchise relocated to Connecticut
in 2003, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle
. The Orlando Miracle
played their games at TD Waterhouse Centre
(Orlando, Florida
) as the sister team of the Orlando Magic
. The Orlando Miracle
placed reasonable records in their four years of existence, and earned the third seed in the 2000 WNBA playoffs, losing in the first round against the Cleveland Rockers
. After the 2002 WNBA season
, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the teams, which placed the WNBA league in the middle of team contractions, relocations, and potential labor strife. As a result, the Orlando Magic
ownership was no longer interested in keeping the Miracle
. Since no local ownership was reached, the Orlando Miracle
were bought by the Mohegan
Native American Tribe. On January 28, 2003, it was announced that the Orlando Miracle
would immediately move to Uncasville, Connecticut
and change their nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun
casino). It is also worth noting that the Connecticut Sun's nickname, color scheme and logo are extremely reminiscent of another defunct Florida-based franchise, the Miami Sol
, which folded at the same time as the Orlando Miracle
.
With a new home in Uncasville and two former UConn Huskies on the roster, the Connecticut Sun entered the 2003 WNBA season
looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Indiana Fever
. The Connecticut Sun underwent a total overhaul during the offseason – acquiring former University of Connecticut
standout Rebecca Lobo
from the Houston Comets
and selecting Debbie Black
in the Miami Sol
/Portland Fire
dispersal draft. Additionally, general manager Chris Sienko named Mike Thibault
, a coaching veteran with two NBA titles as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
, as the first head coach for the franchise.
Despite making essential acquisitions and creating depth in their roster, the Connecticut Sun were predicted to finish towards the end of the Eastern Conference
standings. On May 24, 2003, the Connecticut Sun hosted their first regular-season game, which was shown on ABC
. The Connecticut Sun yielded to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks
, 82–73, before a sellout crowd of 9,341. However, the Connecticut Sun won their following road game by defeating the highly acclaimed Houston Comets
, with the final score of 91–83. Remarkably, the Connecticut Sun achieved their first victory at home by once again defeating the Houston Comets
, 65–58, at Mohegan Sun Arena
. At the conclusion of the 2003 WNBA season
, the Connecticut Sun surprised spectators by finishing with an 18–16 record, thus clinching the first playoff berth in their history. In the opening round, the Connecticut Sun won their first playoff series by sweeping the second-seeded Charlotte Sting
. In the Eastern Conference Finals
, however, the Connecticut Sun faced the Detroit Shock
. The Shock
were victorious in all four games against the Connecticut Sun in the regular season. Nonetheless, the Connecticut Sun finally succumbed to the eventual WNBA champion Detroit Shock
in two hard-fought, enduring games. The 2003 Eastern Conference Finals
would be the first of numerous postseason encounters that the Connecticut Sun had with the Detroit Shock
, before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma
.
That the Detroit Shock
swept the arduous series did nothing to diminish what the Sun accomplished in their first season in Connecticut
. The 2003 WNBA season
was highlighted by a number of other noteworthy accomplishments. For instance, Nykesha Sales
and Shannon Johnson
both achieved milestones by scoring 2,000 career points. Furthermore, as the season progressed, the Connecticut Sun attracted an increasing number of fans to the Mohegan Sun Arena
, averaging 7,195 per game following the All Star
break.
surprised many by trading all-star point guard Shannon Johnson
for the 4th pick in the WNBA Draft
. With that pick the Sun selected Minnesota Golden Gophers
star Lindsay Whalen
amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx
. However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18–16 record in an equally-talented Eastern Conference, winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun defeated the Washington Mystics
2–1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun rolled on, sweeping the New York Liberty
. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals
in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series, 2–1, to the Seattle Storm
.
In the 2005 off season, the Sun acquired 7'2" center Margo Dydek
. With a dominant post presence, the hungry Sun controlled the Eastern Conference, posting a 26–8 record, the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun flew to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock
and the Indiana Fever
. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs
team. Also against the Sun's luck, Lindsay Whalen
played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it was of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best-of-five format.
The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game
. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, Lisa Leslie
became the first woman to ever dunk in an All-Star Game.
, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. All five starters were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics
. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by the Detroit Shock
, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor.
The Sun stumbled out of the gate in 2007, posting a dismal 5–10 record by late June. However, the Sun stormed back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18–16, good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun faced the Indiana Fever
in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun allowed the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending with a 93–88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and therefore the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.
The 2007 season was the end of the Connecticut Sun that many fans had come to know.
, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever
. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore
who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years. Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales
announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries. 7'2" center Margo Dydek
also took the season off due to her pregnancy. With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream
.
Contrary to these predictions, the Sun started the season with an outstanding 8–1 record. Soon, however, the team found itself in a disappointing slump. The Sun went on a five-game losing streak, the worst ever for a team under Mike Thibault. The team finished the regular season with a 21–13 record which placed them second in the Eastern Conference, only one game out of first place. In the playoffs, the Sun's youth and inexperience caught up to them; the New York Liberty
won game three on the Sun's home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebuilding season, the Sun looked to come back even stronger in 2009. There was no reason to believe the Sun would not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127–77, translating into a winning percentage of .623, with the Detroit Shock
having the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game
was held on July 25 at 3:30pm in the Mohegan Sun Arena
. It was the second time the Sun had hosted the game. It was broadcast nationally on ABC
(HD
). Like the two previous seasons, they would start the season on a struggling note. But they later won 7 out of their next 10 games, putting them in playoff position. Halfway through the season, however, there was a three-way tie for second place which included the Sun, the Dream
, and the Mystics
. The Sun, plagued by a late-season injury to all-star Asjha Jones
missed the playoffs for the first time since moving from Orlando
. Sun fans found an unwelcome and unfamiliar ending to the 2009 season
. They finished overall with a 16–18 record and finished 6th in the East.
and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
to the Minnesota Lynx
. In exchange, the Sun received former University of Connecticut
standout Renee Montgomery
, as well as the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
. The purpose of this trade was to secure their selection of the dominant center, Tina Charles
. This move meant that Sandrine Gruda
would shift to power forward and Asjha Jones
would move to the three. Furthermore, the Sun were in need of an outside scoring presence, since last year's squad shot just 31.6 percent from downtown. As a result, the Sun acquired forward Kelsey Griffin
, who was taken third overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft
by the Minnesota Lynx
. In return, Minnesota
received the Sun's first and second round draft picks for the 2011 WNBA Draft
. To conclude their busy draft day, the Sun selected Danielle McCray
out of Kansas and Allison Hightower
from Louisiana State. On February 2, 2010, the Sun also announced the signing of Olympian
and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson
.
In addition to acquiring Kara Lawson
, the Sun were able to select DeMya Walker
as the third overall selection in the Sacramento Monarchs
dispersal draft. These two experienced players provided a veteran presence and served as mentors to the young Sun team. With the numerous acquisitions during the off-season, the Sun hoped that their young core of players could complement their veteran guards.
After the 2010 WNBA season
, news surfaced that the Connecticut Sun were the first franchise in WNBA history to turn a profit.
The 2011 season
started well for the Sun. Few changes were made in the offseason, which gave the team some consistency and a year of experience on which to build. Sandrine Gruda
and Anete Jekabsone-Zogota decided to sit out the season, so the Sun looked elsewhere, adding Jessica Moore
and relying on rookie Danielle McCray
to step up and score. In a tough Eastern Conference, the Sun held a 9–5 record going into the All-Star break
.
. Mohegan Sun
, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive entertainment, gaming, shopping and hotel destinations in the United States
. The arena is located at Mohegan Sun
Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut
. Compared to other arenas played at by teams in the WNBA, Mohegan Sun Arena
is considerably small. The maximum capacity in the entire arena (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game is 9,518. The Connecticut Sun are the only major professional franchise located in the Hartford market.
The Mohegan Sun Arena
is located in the center of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino. Due to this placement, Connecticut Sun fans take advantage of the restaurants, shops and other destinations in the casino before and after games. Frequently, Connecticut Sun and opposing players can be found eating in restaurants after games. Opposing teams stay in the hotel at the casino and are often seen walking from the arena to the lobby. All members of the Connecticut Sun organization are considered employees of the casino, and as such, are unable to partake in any of the games of chance offered there.
|-
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 10%;"| Season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 8%;" | Team
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 12%;" | Conference
!colspan="3" style="background:#eee; width: 15%;"| Regular season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 30%;"| Playoff
results
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 13%;"| Head coach
|-
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|W
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|L
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|PCT
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#4682B4" | Orlando Miracle
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 1999
| 1999
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 4th
| 15
| 17
| .469
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2000
| 2000
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 3rd
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Cleveland
, 1–2)
| Carolyn Peck
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2001
| 2001
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 5th
| 13
| 19
| .406
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2002
| 2002
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 5th
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Dee Brown
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#092C57" | Connecticut Sun
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2003
| 2003
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Charlotte
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2004
| 2004
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 1st
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (New York
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Seattle
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2005
| 2005
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Detroit
, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Indiana
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Sacramento
, 1–3)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2006
| 2006
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2007
| 2007
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Indiana
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2008
| 2008
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (New York
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2009
| 2009
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 6th
| 16
| 18
| .471
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2010
| 2010
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 5th
| 17
| 17
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2011
| 2011
| style="width: 10%"|East
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Atlanta
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Regular season
|style="background:#eee;"| 241
|style="background:#eee;"| 193
|style="background:#eee;"| .555
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 2 Conference Championships
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Playoffs
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| .500
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 0 WNBA Championships
|}
|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun head coaches
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="15%" rowspan="2" | Name
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | Start
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | End
! width="5%" rowspan="2" | Seasons
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Regular season
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Playoffs
|-
! W !! L !! PCT !! G !! W !! L !! PCT !! G
|-
| Carolyn Peck
|| July 6, 1998 || April 3, 2002 || 4 || width="5%"|44 || width="5%"|52 || width="5%"|.458 || width="5%"|96 ||width="5%"|1 || width="5%"|2 || width="5%"|.333 || width="5%"|3
|-
| Dee Brown || April 5, 2002 || End of 2002
|| 1 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.500 || width="5%"|32 ||width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|.000 || width="5%"|0
|-
| Mike Thibault
|| March 7, 2003 || Current || 9 || width="5%"|181 || width="5%"|125 || width="5%"|.592 || width="5%"|306||width="5%"|17 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.515 || width="5%"|33
|}
|}
|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun statistics
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
|-
| 1999
| S. Johnson
(14.0)
| T. McWilliams (7.5)
| S. Johnson
(4.4)
| 68.9 vs 69.3
| 30.2 vs 31.4
| .424 vs .429
|}
|-
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
|-
| 2000
| T. McWilliams (13.7)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| S. Johnson
(5.3)
| 69.0 vs 69.8
| 28.9 vs 31.8
| .436 vs .433
|-
| 2001
| N. Sales
(13.5)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| E. Powell
(3.1)
| 66.9 vs 68.9
| 30.3 vs 30.5
| .401 vs .440
|-
| 2002
| S. Johnson
(16.1)
| W. Palmer (5.8)
| S. Johnson
(5.3)
| 70.4 vs 70.5
| 28.6 vs 32.7
| .422 vs .432
|-
| 2003
| N. Sales
(16.1)
| T. McWilliams (6.7)
| S. Johnson
(5.8)
| 70.1 vs 70.9
| 32.2 vs 34.6
| .411 vs .411
|-
| 2004
| N. Sales
(15.2)
| T. McWilliams (7.2)
| L. Whalen
(4.8)
| 68.7 vs 67.8
| 30.7 vs 31.3
| .427 vs .430
|-
| 2005
| N. Sales
(15.6)
| T. McWilliams (7.3)
| L. Whalen
(5.1)
| 72.8 vs 66.0
| 32.6 vs 31.7
| .452 vs .398
|-
| 2006
| K. Douglas
(16.4)
| T. McWilliams (9.6)
| L. Whalen
(4.6)
| 78.9 vs 71.1
| 37.3 vs 33.9
| .443 vs .402
|-
| 2007
| K. Douglas
(17.0)
| M. Dydek
(6.5)
| L. Whalen
(5.0)
| 78.7 vs 76.3
| 35.9 vs 34.7
| .430 vs .421
|-
| 2008
| A. Jones
(17.0)
| A. Jones
(6.1)
| L. Whalen
(5.4)
| 79.1 vs 74.7
| 36.4 vs 35.3
| .422 vs .418
|-
| 2009
| A. Jones
(16.7)
| S. Gruda
(6.3)
| L. Whalen
(4.6)
| 78.0 vs 78.1
| 34.8 vs 37.5
| .406 vs .426
|}
|-
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
|-
| 2010
| T. Charles
(15.5)
| T. Charles
(11.7)
| R. Montgomery
(4.1)
| 81.0 vs 79.9
| 36.5 vs 35.6
| .427 vs .433
|-
| 2011
| T. Charles
(17.6)
| T. Charles
(11.0)
| R. Montgomery
(4.9)
| 80.1 vs 76.8
| 35.6 vs 36.5
| .424 vs .429
|}
|}
. More often than not, NBA TV
will pick up the feed from the local broadcast, which are shown nationally. Broadcasters for the Sun games on CSN-NE are Mike Gorman
and Meghan Culmo, Brian Scalabrine
or Rebecca Lobo
. Prior to the 2010 season, the Sun had a deal with WCTX
(MyTV9), a station for the state of Connecticut. In addition to Mike Gorman
and Rebecca Lobo
, broadcasters in the past have included: Bob Heussler
, Leah Secondo and Kara Wolters
.
Audio broadcasts for all home games are done by Bob Heussler
, which (excluding blackout games, which are available on ESPN3.com) are streamed to the WNBA LiveAccess game feeds on the league website. Furthermore, some Sun games are broadcast nationally on ESPN
, ESPN2 and ABC
. The WNBA has reached an eight year agreement with ESPN
, which will pay right fees to the Sun, as well as other teams in the league.
{| class="toccolours" width=70% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan=2 width=70% style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Regular season all-time attendance
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|- align="center" style="background:#4682B4;color:#FFFFFF;"
|colspan=8|Orlando Miracle
|- align="center" style="background:#eee;color:#000000;"
|width=75 |Year
|width=150|Average
|width=100|High
|width=100|Low
|width=75 |Sellouts
|width=150|Total for year
|width=150|WNBA game average
|- align="center"
| 1999 || 9,801 (6th) || 15,442 || 7,028 || 0 || 156,818 || 10,207
|- align="center"
| 2000 || 7,363 (11th) || 9,464 || 5,731 || 0 || 117,810 || 9,074
|- align="center"
| 2001 || 7,430 (11th) || 11,903 || 5,363 || 0 || 118,874 || 9,105
|- align="center"
| 2002 || 7,115 (13th) || 13,111 || 4,323 || 0 || 113,837 || 9,228
|- align="center" style="background:#14345B;color:#ffc322;"
|colspan=8|Connecticut Sun
|- align="center" style="background:#eee;color:#000000;"
|width=75 |Year
|width=150|Average
|width=100|High
|width=100|Low
|width=75 |Sellouts
|width=150|Total for year
|width=150|WNBA game average
|- align="center"
| 2003 || 6,025 (14th) || 9,518 || 4,038 || 2 || 102,433 || 8,826
|- align="center"
| 2004 || 6,635 (13th) || 9,518 || 3,846 || 2 || 112,803 || 8,589
|- align="center"
| 2005 || 7,156 (10th) || 9,518 || 5,596 || 2 || 121,644 || 8,172
|- align="center"
| 2006 || 7,417 (9th) || 9,518 || 6,019 || 2|| 126,096 || 7,476
|- align="center"
| 2007 || 7,970 (7th) || 9,518 || 6,154 || 1 || 135,490 || 7,819
|- align="center"
| 2008 || 7,644 (11th) || 9,518 || 5,245 || 3 || 129,951 || 7,948
|- align="center"
| 2009 || 6,794 (12th) || 9,047 || 5,675 || 0 || 115,496 || 8,029
|- align="center"
| 2010 || 7,486 (9th) || 9,518 || 6,292 || 1 || 127,331 || 7,834
|- align="center"
| 2011 || 7,056 (9th) || 9,323 || 6,096 || 1 || 119,951 || 7,954
|}
|}
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team based in Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
, playing in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
in the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA). The team was founded in Orlando, Florida
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
before the 1999 season
1999 WNBA season
-External links:**...
began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
. The Sun was the first WNBA franchise not to be owned by an NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
owner; the team is owned by the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in Connecticut as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies
Connecticut Huskies women's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team represents the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in NCAA women's basketball competition. Under head coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies have won 7 NCAA Division I national championships, advanced to 12 Final Fours, and won over 30 Big...
, the Sun had the distinction of being the only WNBA team not to share its market with an NBA team from 2003 until the Seattle Supersonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
moved, leaving the Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
alone in Seattle, Washington. Currently, the Sun is the only WNBA franchise (besides the defunct Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
) to finish each season with fewer than 20 losses.
The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
in six of its eight years in Connecticut. Notable players include the 7 foot 2 inch, the late Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(died in 2011), Indiana native Katie Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
, University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
standouts Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
and Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
, 2010 Rookie of the Year
WNBA Rookie of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the 1998 WNBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner is selected by a panel of sportswriters throughout the United States, each of whom...
Tina Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
and 2008
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
MVP runner-up point guard Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
. In 2004
2004 WNBA Finals
The 2004 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2004 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Seattle Storm, second-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, two games to one in a...
and 2005
2005 WNBA Finals
The 2005 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Sacramento Monarchs, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, three games to one in a...
, the Sun went to the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
but fell short to Seattle
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
and Sacramento
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
, respectively.
The Orlando Miracle (1999–2002)
Before the franchise relocated to Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
in 2003, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
. The Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
played their games at TD Waterhouse Centre
TD Waterhouse Centre
Amway Arena is a defunct indoor arena in Orlando, Florida. It is part of the Orlando Centroplex, a sports and entertainment complex located in Downtown Orlando...
(Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
) as the sister team of the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
. The Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
placed reasonable records in their four years of existence, and earned the third seed in the 2000 WNBA playoffs, losing in the first round against the Cleveland Rockers
Cleveland Rockers
This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
. After the 2002 WNBA season
2002 WNBA season
-External links:***...
, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the teams, which placed the WNBA league in the middle of team contractions, relocations, and potential labor strife. As a result, the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
ownership was no longer interested in keeping the Miracle
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
. Since no local ownership was reached, the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
were bought by the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
Native American Tribe. On January 28, 2003, it was announced that the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
would immediately move to Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
and change their nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
casino). It is also worth noting that the Connecticut Sun's nickname, color scheme and logo are extremely reminiscent of another defunct Florida-based franchise, the Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
, which folded at the same time as the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
.
Rebuilding in Connecticut (2003)
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. The Connecticut Sun underwent a total overhaul during the offseason – acquiring former University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
standout Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
from the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
and selecting Debbie Black
Debbie Black
Debbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
in the Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
/Portland Fire
Portland Fire
The Portland Fire joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000 as the counterpart to the NBA team the Portland Trail Blazers. They played their games at Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The team folded after the 2002 season, after just three seasons in the league...
dispersal draft. Additionally, general manager Chris Sienko named Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
, a coaching veteran with two NBA titles as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, as the first head coach for the franchise.
Despite making essential acquisitions and creating depth in their roster, the Connecticut Sun were predicted to finish towards the end of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
standings. On May 24, 2003, the Connecticut Sun hosted their first regular-season game, which was shown on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. The Connecticut Sun yielded to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
, 82–73, before a sellout crowd of 9,341. However, the Connecticut Sun won their following road game by defeating the highly acclaimed Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
, with the final score of 91–83. Remarkably, the Connecticut Sun achieved their first victory at home by once again defeating the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
, 65–58, at Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. At the conclusion of the 2003 WNBA season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
, the Connecticut Sun surprised spectators by finishing with an 18–16 record, thus clinching the first playoff berth in their history. In the opening round, the Connecticut Sun won their first playoff series by sweeping the second-seeded Charlotte Sting
Charlotte Sting
The Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
. In the Eastern Conference Finals
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
, however, the Connecticut Sun faced the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
. The Shock
Shock
Circulatory shock, commonly known simply as shock, is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs due to inadequate substrate for aerobic cellular respiration...
were victorious in all four games against the Connecticut Sun in the regular season. Nonetheless, the Connecticut Sun finally succumbed to the eventual WNBA champion Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
in two hard-fought, enduring games. The 2003 Eastern Conference Finals
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
would be the first of numerous postseason encounters that the Connecticut Sun had with the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
.
That the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
swept the arduous series did nothing to diminish what the Sun accomplished in their first season in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The 2003 WNBA season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
was highlighted by a number of other noteworthy accomplishments. For instance, Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
and Shannon Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
both achieved milestones by scoring 2,000 career points. Furthermore, as the season progressed, the Connecticut Sun attracted an increasing number of fans to the Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
, averaging 7,195 per game following the All Star
2003 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2003 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 12, 2003 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, home of the New York Liberty. This is the second time New York hosted the contest after previously hosting the 1999 game...
break.
The Rising Horizon (2004–2005)
Head coach Mike ThibaultMike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
surprised many by trading all-star point guard Shannon Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
for the 4th pick in the WNBA Draft
WNBA Draft
The WNBA Draft is an annual draft held by the WNBA through which WNBA teams can select new players from a talent pool of college and professional women's basketball players. The first WNBA draft was held in 1997...
. With that pick the Sun selected Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
star Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18–16 record in an equally-talented Eastern Conference, winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun defeated the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
2–1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun rolled on, sweeping the New York Liberty
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series, 2–1, to the Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
.
In the 2005 off season, the Sun acquired 7'2" center Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
. With a dominant post presence, the hungry Sun controlled the Eastern Conference, posting a 26–8 record, the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun flew to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
and the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
team. Also against the Sun's luck, Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it was of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best-of-five format.
The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game
Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game
The Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game, commonly referred to as the WNBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played in the United States between the best players of the Eastern and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association...
. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood is a former American professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner...
became the first woman to ever dunk in an All-Star Game.
A Disappointing End and a New Battle (2006–2007)
In 2006, the Sun would match their 2005 record and it looked like a return trip to the Finals was certain. Mike Thibault received the WNBA Coach of the Year AwardWNBA Coach of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the league's inaugural season. The winner is selected at the end of regular season by a panel of sportswriters from the United States, each of whom casts a vote...
, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. All five starters were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor.
The Sun stumbled out of the gate in 2007, posting a dismal 5–10 record by late June. However, the Sun stormed back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18–16, good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun faced the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun allowed the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending with a 93–88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and therefore the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.
The 2007 season was the end of the Connecticut Sun that many fans had come to know.
In Search for Prestige (2008–2009)
The front office knew something had to be done to save the team from another disappointing finish. During the 2007–08 off-season, the Connecticut Sun made major changes to their roster in an effort to win that ever-elusive championship title. The Sun made three trades, one sending Katie DouglasKatie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore
Tamika Whitmore
Tamika Whitmore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.-College years:She played collegiate basketball while attending the University of Memphis on a scholarship...
who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years. Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries. 7'2" center Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
also took the season off due to her pregnancy. With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
.
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
won game three on the Sun's home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebuilding season, the Sun looked to come back even stronger in 2009. There was no reason to believe the Sun would not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127–77, translating into a winning percentage of .623, with the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
having the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game
2009 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 25, 2009 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, home of the Connecticut Sun. The game was the 9th annual WNBA All-Star Game...
was held on July 25 at 3:30pm in the Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. It was the second time the Sun had hosted the game. It was broadcast nationally on ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
(HD
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
). Like the two previous seasons, they would start the season on a struggling note. But they later won 7 out of their next 10 games, putting them in playoff position. Halfway through the season, however, there was a three-way tie for second place which included the Sun, the Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
, and the Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
. The Sun, plagued by a late-season injury to all-star Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
missed the playoffs for the first time since moving from Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. Sun fans found an unwelcome and unfamiliar ending to the 2009 season
2009 Connecticut Sun season
The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal...
. They finished overall with a 16–18 record and finished 6th in the East.
A New Era (2010–present)
After a disheartening 2009 season, the Sun and general manager Chris Sienko knew that they had to make some crucial decisions before moving on. On January 12, 2010, in the league's first transaction of the year, the Sun sent Lindsay WhalenLindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
to the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. In exchange, the Sun received former University of Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies, also known as the UConn Huskies, are the athletic teams of the University of Connecticut in the United States. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference for all sports except Men's Ice Hockey and Women's Ice...
standout Renee Montgomery
Renee Montgomery
Renee Danielle Montgomery is an American basketball player who won a national championship with the UConn Huskies in 2009. She currently plays for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-High school:...
, as well as the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
. The purpose of this trade was to secure their selection of the dominant center, Tina Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
. This move meant that Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
would shift to power forward and Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
would move to the three. Furthermore, the Sun were in need of an outside scoring presence, since last year's squad shot just 31.6 percent from downtown. As a result, the Sun acquired forward Kelsey Griffin
Kelsey Griffin
Kelsey Griffin is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. She was drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. Griffin played college ball for Nebraska, leading the Cornhuskers to their best ever season...
, who was taken third overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
by the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. In return, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
received the Sun's first and second round draft picks for the 2011 WNBA Draft
2011 WNBA Draft
The 2011 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 11, 2011 at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut...
. To conclude their busy draft day, the Sun selected Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray is a forward for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. McCray was born November 8, 1987 in Boynton Beach, Florida. McCray was selected 7th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She played collegiately for the Kansas Jayhawks where she was named a second-team All-American during her senior season...
out of Kansas and Allison Hightower
Allison Hightower
Allison Hightower is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. She was drafted 15th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft.-High school:...
from Louisiana State. On February 2, 2010, the Sun also announced the signing of Olympian
United States women's national basketball team
The United States women's national basketball team are the defending Olympic champions in women's basketball. The team is composed of some of the top American players in the WNBA and the women's college game....
and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
.
In addition to acquiring Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
, the Sun were able to select DeMya Walker
DeMya Walker
DeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
as the third overall selection in the Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
dispersal draft. These two experienced players provided a veteran presence and served as mentors to the young Sun team. With the numerous acquisitions during the off-season, the Sun hoped that their young core of players could complement their veteran guards.
After the 2010 WNBA season
2010 WNBA season
The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star...
, news surfaced that the Connecticut Sun were the first franchise in WNBA history to turn a profit.
The 2011 season
2011 WNBA season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA Draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV...
started well for the Sun. Few changes were made in the offseason, which gave the team some consistency and a year of experience on which to build. Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
and Anete Jekabsone-Zogota decided to sit out the season, so the Sun looked elsewhere, adding Jessica Moore
Jessica Moore (basketball)
Jessica Moore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently playing for the Connecticut Sun. Jessica was a Center for the UConn Huskies from 2000–2005.-High school:...
and relying on rookie Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray is a forward for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. McCray was born November 8, 1987 in Boynton Beach, Florida. McCray was selected 7th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She played collegiately for the Kansas Jayhawks where she was named a second-team All-American during her senior season...
to step up and score. In a tough Eastern Conference, the Sun held a 9–5 record going into the All-Star break
2011 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2011 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 23, 2011 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, home of the San Antonio Silver Stars. The game was the 10th WNBA All-Star Game, which has been held annually since 1999 except in 2004, 2008, and 2010...
.
Current home
The Connecticut Sun currently play in the Mohegan Sun ArenaMohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive entertainment, gaming, shopping and hotel destinations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The arena is located at Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
. Compared to other arenas played at by teams in the WNBA, Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
is considerably small. The maximum capacity in the entire arena (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game is 9,518. The Connecticut Sun are the only major professional franchise located in the Hartford market.
The Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
is located in the center of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino. Due to this placement, Connecticut Sun fans take advantage of the restaurants, shops and other destinations in the casino before and after games. Frequently, Connecticut Sun and opposing players can be found eating in restaurants after games. Opposing teams stay in the hotel at the casino and are often seen walking from the arena to the lobby. All members of the Connecticut Sun organization are considered employees of the casino, and as such, are unable to partake in any of the games of chance offered there.
Uniforms
- 1999–2002: For home games, the Miracle wore white with blue on the sides/shoulders and white Miracle logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with white on the sides and white Miracle logo text on the chest. The Miracle logo is on the shorts.
- 2003: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, pure red with gold trim on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2004–2006: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with sun red and gold trim on the sides, as well as gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2007: For home games, the Sun wore white with images of basic suns on the sides and Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with images of basic suns on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2008–2010: For home games, the Sun wore white with the word "Connecticut" printed vertically on the sides and the Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, the Sun wore blue with word "Sun" printed vertically on the sides and the gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is shown on the shorts.
- 2011–present: For home games, the Sun wore white with blue vertical stripes on the sides and the Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, the Sun wore blue with white vertical stripes on the sides and gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is shown on the left shoulder.
Season-by-season records
| Season | Team | Conference | Regular season | Playoff WNBA Playoffs The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals.... results |
Head coach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | PCT | ||||||
| Orlando Miracle Orlando Miracle The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun... |
||||||||
| 1999 1999 WNBA season -External links:**... |
1999 1999 Orlando Miracle season The 1999 WNBA season was the Orlando Miracle's inaugural season. The Miracle tied for second place in the conference with the Detroit Shock and the Charlotte Sting. However, both Detroit and Charlotte beat Orlando in two of their three meetings during the regular season... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
4th | 15 | 17 | .469 | Did not qualify | Carolyn Peck Carolyn Peck Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle... |
| 2000 2000 WNBA season -External links:**... |
2000 2000 Orlando Miracle season The 2000 WNBA season was their 2nd in the league. The Miracle made to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, only to lose to the Cleveland Rockers in three games.-WNBA Draft:-Roster:-Preseason:... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
3rd | 16 | 16 | .500 | Lost Conference Semifinals (Cleveland Cleveland Rockers This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which... , 1–2) |
Carolyn Peck Carolyn Peck Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle... |
| 2001 2001 WNBA season -External links:**... |
2001 2001 Orlando Miracle season The 2001 WNBA season was their 3rd in the league. The Miracle missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Miracle also hosted the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
5th | 13 | 19 | .406 | Did not qualify | Carolyn Peck Carolyn Peck Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle... |
| 2002 2002 WNBA season -External links:***... |
2002 2002 Orlando Miracle season The 2002 WNBA season was their 4th season and their last in Orlando. The Miracle missed out of the playoffs by losing in a tiebreaker to the Indiana Fever. It was also the final season in Orlando.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
5th | 16 | 16 | .500 | Did not qualify | Dee Brown |
| Connecticut Sun | ||||||||
| 2003 2003 WNBA season -External links:***... |
2003 2003 Connecticut Sun season The 2003 WNBA season was their 5th season and their 1st in Connecticut. The Sun made the playoffs for the first time since 2000. They would sweep the Charlotte Sting in the first round, only to get swept to the eventual champion Detroit Shock in the conference finals.-Dispersal Draft:Based on the... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
3rd | 18 | 16 | .529 | Won Conference Semifinals (Charlotte Charlotte Sting The Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007.... , 2–0) Lost Conference Finals (Detroit Detroit Shock The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion... , 0–2) |
Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2004 2004 WNBA season -External links:***... |
2004 2004 Connecticut Sun season The 2004 WNBA season was their 6th season and their 2nd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the second consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
1st | 18 | 16 | .529 | Won Conference Semifinals (Washington Washington Mystics The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'... , 2–1) Won Conference Finals (New York New York Liberty The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league... , 2–0) Lost WNBA Finals (Seattle Seattle Storm The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... , 1–2) |
Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2005 2005 WNBA season -External links:***... |
2005 2005 Connecticut Sun season The 2005 WNBA season was their 7th season and their 3rd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the third consecutive season and were successful... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
1st | 26 | 8 | .765 | Won Conference Semifinals (Detroit Detroit Shock The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion... , 2–0) Won Conference Finals (Indiana Indiana Fever The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... , 2–0) Lost WNBA Finals (Sacramento Sacramento Monarchs The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009... , 1–3) |
Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2006 2006 WNBA season -External links:*******... |
2006 2006 Connecticut Sun season The 2006 WNBA season was their 8th season and their 4th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and were successful... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
1st | 26 | 8 | .765 | Won Conference Semifinals (Washington Washington Mystics The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'... , 2–0) Lost Conference Finals (Detroit Detroit Shock The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion... , 1–2) |
Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2007 2007 WNBA season -External links:* * * * * * * *... |
2007 2007 Connecticut Sun season The 2007 WNBA season was their 9th season and their 5th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
3rd | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost Conference Semifinals (Indiana Indiana Fever The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... , 1–2) |
Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2008 2008 WNBA season -Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions.... |
2008 2008 Connecticut Sun season The 2008 WNBA season was their 10th season and their 6th in Connecticut. The Sun successfully advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
2nd | 21 | 13 | .618 | Lost Conference Semifinals (New York New York Liberty The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league... , 1–2) |
Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2009 2009 WNBA season The 2009 WNBA Season is the 13th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is the first WNBA season ever without a Houston franchise, the Comets having folded in December 2008... |
2009 2009 Connecticut Sun season The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
6th | 16 | 18 | .471 | Did not qualify | Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2010 2010 WNBA season The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star... |
2010 2010 Connecticut Sun season The 2010 WNBA season is the 12th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 8th in Connecticut.-Dispersal draft:... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
5th | 17 | 17 | .500 | Did not qualify | Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| 2011 2011 WNBA season The 2011 WNBA season is the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA Draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV... |
2011 2011 Connecticut Sun season The 2011 WNBA season is the 13th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 9th in Connecticut.-WNBA Draft:The following are the Sun's selections in the 2011 WNBA Draft.-Transaction log:... |
East Eastern Conference (WNBA) The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference... |
2nd | 21 | 13 | .618 | Lost Conference Semifinals (Atlanta Atlanta Dream The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta... , 0–2) |
Mike Thibault Mike Thibault Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked... |
| Regular season | 241 | 193 | .555 | 2 Conference Championships | ||||
| Playoffs | 18 | 18 | .500 | 0 WNBA Championships | ||||
Former players
- Debbie BlackDebbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
(2003–2004), now an assistant coach at Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... - Jamie CareyJamie CareyJamie Leigh Carey was a professional basketball player, playing the point guard position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA until her retirement in 2009...
(2005–2008) - Katie DouglasKatie DouglasKathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
(2001–2007), now a member of the Indiana FeverIndiana FeverThe Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Margo DydekMargo DydekMałgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(2005–2007) - Kerri GardinKerri GardinKerri Gardin is an American professional basketball player. She most recently played the forward position for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA.-College career:...
(2008–2010) - Shannon JohnsonShannon JohnsonShannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(1999–2003) - Rebecca LoboRebecca LoboRebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
(2003), now a sideline reporter for ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming.... - Carla McGheeCarla McGheeCarla McGhee was an American basketball player most notable for her career at the University of Tennessee. She was injured in a motor vehicle accident in 1987 and was in a coma for 47 hours, suffering brain injuries and breaking nearly every bone in her face. She was told she’d never play again....
(1999–2002), now a Director of Player Personnel for the WNBAWomen's National Basketball AssociationThe Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
front office - Taj McWilliams-Franklin (1999–2006), now a member of the Minnesota LynxMinnesota LynxThe Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
- Elaine PowellElaine PowellElaine Powell is a professional basketball player. A point guard, she played in the WNBA from 1999 to 2008.-College career:In two years at LSU, Powell averaged 19.1 points per game...
(1999–2002) - Erin PhillipsErin PhillipsErin Victoria Phillips is an Australian professional women's basketball player. In the United States, she currently plays for the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association and for Adelaide Lightning in the Women's National Basketball League .-Personal:Phillips is the daughter...
(2006–2009), now a member of the Indiana FeverIndiana FeverThe Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Nykesha SalesNykesha SalesNykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(1999–2007) - DeMya WalkerDeMya WalkerDeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
(2010–2011), now a member of the Washington MysticsWashington MysticsThe Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'... - Lindsay WhalenLindsay WhalenLindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(2004–2009), now a member of the Minnesota LynxMinnesota LynxThe Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season... - Tamika WhitmoreTamika WhitmoreTamika Whitmore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.-College years:She played collegiate basketball while attending the University of Memphis on a scholarship...
(2008–2009) - Le'coe WillinghamLe'coe WillinghamLe'coe Willingham is a professional basketball player. Attending Hephzibah High School, she won the 1998 AAAA Georgia State Women's state high jump title...
(2004–2007), now a member of the Seattle StormSeattle StormThe Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Brooke WyckoffBrooke WyckoffBrooke Wyckoff is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" forward from Florida State University, Wyckoff played in the WNBA from 2001 to 2009, competing for the Orlando Miracle, the Connecticut Sun, and the Chicago Sky...
(2001–2005)
Owners
- RDV Sports, Inc.RDV Sports, Inc.RDV Sports, Inc. is a Michigan corporation set up by Richard DeVos to purchase the NBA franchise, the Orlando Magic. Over time its assets have included the Orlando Miracle WNBA team, Orlando Solar Bears and RDV Sportsplex....
, owner of the Orlando MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
(1998–2002) - Mohegan SunMohegan SunMohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
(2003–present)
Head coaches
| Connecticut Sun head coaches | |
|---|---|
General managers
- Carolyn PeckCarolyn PeckCarolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
(1998–2001) - Dee Brown (2002)
- Chris Sienko (2003–present)
Assistant coaches
- Rick Stukes (1999–2000)
- Charlene Thomas-SwinsonCharlene Thomas-SwinsonCharlene Thomas-Swinson was the head women's basketball coach at Tulsa, where she was let go after six seasons. Her overall record as a head coach stands at 61-86 in five seasons. The 2006 team earned the Conference USA championship, and an NCAA tournament appearance...
(1999–2001) - Michael Peck (2001)
- Vonn Read (2002)
- Valerie StillValerie StillValerie Still is a former United States professional women's basketball player with the Washington Mystics of the WNBA.During her four years at the University of Kentucky, she scored more points than any other basketball player, male or female, with 2,763 points. Afterwards she went abroad, playing...
(2002) - Bernadette Mattox (2003–present)
- Scott Hawk (2003–present)
Statistics
{| class="toccolours" width=80% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun statistics
|- valign="top"
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The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team based in Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
, playing in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
in the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA). The team was founded in Orlando, Florida
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
before the 1999 season
1999 WNBA season
-External links:**...
began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
. The Sun was the first WNBA franchise not to be owned by an NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
owner; the team is owned by the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in Connecticut as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies
Connecticut Huskies women's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team represents the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in NCAA women's basketball competition. Under head coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies have won 7 NCAA Division I national championships, advanced to 12 Final Fours, and won over 30 Big...
, the Sun had the distinction of being the only WNBA team not to share its market with an NBA team from 2003 until the Seattle Supersonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
moved, leaving the Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
alone in Seattle, Washington. Currently, the Sun is the only WNBA franchise (besides the defunct Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
) to finish each season with fewer than 20 losses.
The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
in six of its eight years in Connecticut. Notable players include the 7 foot 2 inch, the late Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(died in 2011), Indiana native Katie Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
, University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
standouts Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
and Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
, 2010 Rookie of the Year
WNBA Rookie of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the 1998 WNBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner is selected by a panel of sportswriters throughout the United States, each of whom...
Tina Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
and 2008
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
MVP runner-up point guard Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
. In 2004
2004 WNBA Finals
The 2004 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2004 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Seattle Storm, second-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, two games to one in a...
and 2005
2005 WNBA Finals
The 2005 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Sacramento Monarchs, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, three games to one in a...
, the Sun went to the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
but fell short to Seattle
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
and Sacramento
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
, respectively.
The Orlando Miracle (1999–2002)
Before the franchise relocated to Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
in 2003, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
. The Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
played their games at TD Waterhouse Centre
TD Waterhouse Centre
Amway Arena is a defunct indoor arena in Orlando, Florida. It is part of the Orlando Centroplex, a sports and entertainment complex located in Downtown Orlando...
(Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
) as the sister team of the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
. The Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
placed reasonable records in their four years of existence, and earned the third seed in the 2000 WNBA playoffs, losing in the first round against the Cleveland Rockers
Cleveland Rockers
This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
. After the 2002 WNBA season
2002 WNBA season
-External links:***...
, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the teams, which placed the WNBA league in the middle of team contractions, relocations, and potential labor strife. As a result, the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
ownership was no longer interested in keeping the Miracle
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
. Since no local ownership was reached, the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
were bought by the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
Native American Tribe. On January 28, 2003, it was announced that the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
would immediately move to Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
and change their nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
casino). It is also worth noting that the Connecticut Sun's nickname, color scheme and logo are extremely reminiscent of another defunct Florida-based franchise, the Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
, which folded at the same time as the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
.
Rebuilding in Connecticut (2003)
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. The Connecticut Sun underwent a total overhaul during the offseason – acquiring former University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
standout Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
from the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
and selecting Debbie Black
Debbie Black
Debbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
in the Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
/Portland Fire
Portland Fire
The Portland Fire joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000 as the counterpart to the NBA team the Portland Trail Blazers. They played their games at Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The team folded after the 2002 season, after just three seasons in the league...
dispersal draft. Additionally, general manager Chris Sienko named Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
, a coaching veteran with two NBA titles as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, as the first head coach for the franchise.
Despite making essential acquisitions and creating depth in their roster, the Connecticut Sun were predicted to finish towards the end of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
standings. On May 24, 2003, the Connecticut Sun hosted their first regular-season game, which was shown on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. The Connecticut Sun yielded to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
, 82–73, before a sellout crowd of 9,341. However, the Connecticut Sun won their following road game by defeating the highly acclaimed Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
, with the final score of 91–83. Remarkably, the Connecticut Sun achieved their first victory at home by once again defeating the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
, 65–58, at Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. At the conclusion of the 2003 WNBA season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
, the Connecticut Sun surprised spectators by finishing with an 18–16 record, thus clinching the first playoff berth in their history. In the opening round, the Connecticut Sun won their first playoff series by sweeping the second-seeded Charlotte Sting
Charlotte Sting
The Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
. In the Eastern Conference Finals
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
, however, the Connecticut Sun faced the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
. The Shock
Shock
Circulatory shock, commonly known simply as shock, is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs due to inadequate substrate for aerobic cellular respiration...
were victorious in all four games against the Connecticut Sun in the regular season. Nonetheless, the Connecticut Sun finally succumbed to the eventual WNBA champion Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
in two hard-fought, enduring games. The 2003 Eastern Conference Finals
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
would be the first of numerous postseason encounters that the Connecticut Sun had with the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
.
That the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
swept the arduous series did nothing to diminish what the Sun accomplished in their first season in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The 2003 WNBA season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
was highlighted by a number of other noteworthy accomplishments. For instance, Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
and Shannon Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
both achieved milestones by scoring 2,000 career points. Furthermore, as the season progressed, the Connecticut Sun attracted an increasing number of fans to the Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
, averaging 7,195 per game following the All Star
2003 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2003 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 12, 2003 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, home of the New York Liberty. This is the second time New York hosted the contest after previously hosting the 1999 game...
break.
The Rising Horizon (2004–2005)
Head coach Mike ThibaultMike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
surprised many by trading all-star point guard Shannon Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
for the 4th pick in the WNBA Draft
WNBA Draft
The WNBA Draft is an annual draft held by the WNBA through which WNBA teams can select new players from a talent pool of college and professional women's basketball players. The first WNBA draft was held in 1997...
. With that pick the Sun selected Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
star Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18–16 record in an equally-talented Eastern Conference, winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun defeated the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
2–1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun rolled on, sweeping the New York Liberty
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series, 2–1, to the Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
.
In the 2005 off season, the Sun acquired 7'2" center Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
. With a dominant post presence, the hungry Sun controlled the Eastern Conference, posting a 26–8 record, the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun flew to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
and the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
team. Also against the Sun's luck, Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it was of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best-of-five format.
The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game
Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game
The Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game, commonly referred to as the WNBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played in the United States between the best players of the Eastern and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association...
. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood is a former American professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner...
became the first woman to ever dunk in an All-Star Game.
A Disappointing End and a New Battle (2006–2007)
In 2006, the Sun would match their 2005 record and it looked like a return trip to the Finals was certain. Mike Thibault received the WNBA Coach of the Year AwardWNBA Coach of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the league's inaugural season. The winner is selected at the end of regular season by a panel of sportswriters from the United States, each of whom casts a vote...
, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. All five starters were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor.
The Sun stumbled out of the gate in 2007, posting a dismal 5–10 record by late June. However, the Sun stormed back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18–16, good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun faced the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun allowed the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending with a 93–88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and therefore the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.
The 2007 season was the end of the Connecticut Sun that many fans had come to know.
In Search for Prestige (2008–2009)
The front office knew something had to be done to save the team from another disappointing finish. During the 2007–08 off-season, the Connecticut Sun made major changes to their roster in an effort to win that ever-elusive championship title. The Sun made three trades, one sending Katie DouglasKatie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore
Tamika Whitmore
Tamika Whitmore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.-College years:She played collegiate basketball while attending the University of Memphis on a scholarship...
who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years. Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries. 7'2" center Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
also took the season off due to her pregnancy. With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
.
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
won game three on the Sun's home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebuilding season, the Sun looked to come back even stronger in 2009. There was no reason to believe the Sun would not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127–77, translating into a winning percentage of .623, with the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
having the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game
2009 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 25, 2009 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, home of the Connecticut Sun. The game was the 9th annual WNBA All-Star Game...
was held on July 25 at 3:30pm in the Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. It was the second time the Sun had hosted the game. It was broadcast nationally on ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
(HD
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
). Like the two previous seasons, they would start the season on a struggling note. But they later won 7 out of their next 10 games, putting them in playoff position. Halfway through the season, however, there was a three-way tie for second place which included the Sun, the Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
, and the Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
. The Sun, plagued by a late-season injury to all-star Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
missed the playoffs for the first time since moving from Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. Sun fans found an unwelcome and unfamiliar ending to the 2009 season
2009 Connecticut Sun season
The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal...
. They finished overall with a 16–18 record and finished 6th in the East.
A New Era (2010–present)
After a disheartening 2009 season, the Sun and general manager Chris Sienko knew that they had to make some crucial decisions before moving on. On January 12, 2010, in the league's first transaction of the year, the Sun sent Lindsay WhalenLindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
to the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. In exchange, the Sun received former University of Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies, also known as the UConn Huskies, are the athletic teams of the University of Connecticut in the United States. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference for all sports except Men's Ice Hockey and Women's Ice...
standout Renee Montgomery
Renee Montgomery
Renee Danielle Montgomery is an American basketball player who won a national championship with the UConn Huskies in 2009. She currently plays for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-High school:...
, as well as the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
. The purpose of this trade was to secure their selection of the dominant center, Tina Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
. This move meant that Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
would shift to power forward and Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
would move to the three. Furthermore, the Sun were in need of an outside scoring presence, since last year's squad shot just 31.6 percent from downtown. As a result, the Sun acquired forward Kelsey Griffin
Kelsey Griffin
Kelsey Griffin is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. She was drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. Griffin played college ball for Nebraska, leading the Cornhuskers to their best ever season...
, who was taken third overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
by the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. In return, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
received the Sun's first and second round draft picks for the 2011 WNBA Draft
2011 WNBA Draft
The 2011 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 11, 2011 at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut...
. To conclude their busy draft day, the Sun selected Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray is a forward for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. McCray was born November 8, 1987 in Boynton Beach, Florida. McCray was selected 7th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She played collegiately for the Kansas Jayhawks where she was named a second-team All-American during her senior season...
out of Kansas and Allison Hightower
Allison Hightower
Allison Hightower is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. She was drafted 15th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft.-High school:...
from Louisiana State. On February 2, 2010, the Sun also announced the signing of Olympian
United States women's national basketball team
The United States women's national basketball team are the defending Olympic champions in women's basketball. The team is composed of some of the top American players in the WNBA and the women's college game....
and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
.
In addition to acquiring Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
, the Sun were able to select DeMya Walker
DeMya Walker
DeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
as the third overall selection in the Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
dispersal draft. These two experienced players provided a veteran presence and served as mentors to the young Sun team. With the numerous acquisitions during the off-season, the Sun hoped that their young core of players could complement their veteran guards.
After the 2010 WNBA season
2010 WNBA season
The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star...
, news surfaced that the Connecticut Sun were the first franchise in WNBA history to turn a profit.
The 2011 season
2011 WNBA season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA Draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV...
started well for the Sun. Few changes were made in the offseason, which gave the team some consistency and a year of experience on which to build. Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
and Anete Jekabsone-Zogota decided to sit out the season, so the Sun looked elsewhere, adding Jessica Moore
Jessica Moore (basketball)
Jessica Moore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently playing for the Connecticut Sun. Jessica was a Center for the UConn Huskies from 2000–2005.-High school:...
and relying on rookie Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray is a forward for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. McCray was born November 8, 1987 in Boynton Beach, Florida. McCray was selected 7th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She played collegiately for the Kansas Jayhawks where she was named a second-team All-American during her senior season...
to step up and score. In a tough Eastern Conference, the Sun held a 9–5 record going into the All-Star break
2011 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2011 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 23, 2011 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, home of the San Antonio Silver Stars. The game was the 10th WNBA All-Star Game, which has been held annually since 1999 except in 2004, 2008, and 2010...
.
Current home
The Connecticut Sun currently play in the Mohegan Sun ArenaMohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive entertainment, gaming, shopping and hotel destinations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The arena is located at Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
. Compared to other arenas played at by teams in the WNBA, Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
is considerably small. The maximum capacity in the entire arena (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game is 9,518. The Connecticut Sun are the only major professional franchise located in the Hartford market.
The Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
is located in the center of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino. Due to this placement, Connecticut Sun fans take advantage of the restaurants, shops and other destinations in the casino before and after games. Frequently, Connecticut Sun and opposing players can be found eating in restaurants after games. Opposing teams stay in the hotel at the casino and are often seen walking from the arena to the lobby. All members of the Connecticut Sun organization are considered employees of the casino, and as such, are unable to partake in any of the games of chance offered there.
Uniforms
- 1999–2002: For home games, the Miracle wore white with blue on the sides/shoulders and white Miracle logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with white on the sides and white Miracle logo text on the chest. The Miracle logo is on the shorts.
- 2003: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, pure red with gold trim on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2004–2006: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with sun red and gold trim on the sides, as well as gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2007: For home games, the Sun wore white with images of basic suns on the sides and Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with images of basic suns on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2008–2010: For home games, the Sun wore white with the word "Connecticut" printed vertically on the sides and the Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, the Sun wore blue with word "Sun" printed vertically on the sides and the gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is shown on the shorts.
- 2011–present: For home games, the Sun wore white with blue vertical stripes on the sides and the Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, the Sun wore blue with white vertical stripes on the sides and gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is shown on the left shoulder.
Season-by-season records
{|class="navbox wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align: center; width: 85%;"|-
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 10%;"| Season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 8%;" | Team
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 12%;" | Conference
!colspan="3" style="background:#eee; width: 15%;"| Regular season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 30%;"| Playoff
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
results
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 13%;"| Head coach
|-
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|W
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|L
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|PCT
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#4682B4" | Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 1999
1999 WNBA season
-External links:**...
| 1999
1999 Orlando Miracle season
The 1999 WNBA season was the Orlando Miracle's inaugural season. The Miracle tied for second place in the conference with the Detroit Shock and the Charlotte Sting. However, both Detroit and Charlotte beat Orlando in two of their three meetings during the regular season...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 4th
| 15
| 17
| .469
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2000
2000 WNBA season
-External links:**...
| 2000
2000 Orlando Miracle season
The 2000 WNBA season was their 2nd in the league. The Miracle made to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, only to lose to the Cleveland Rockers in three games.-WNBA Draft:-Roster:-Preseason:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 3rd
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Cleveland
Cleveland Rockers
This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
, 1–2)
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2001
2001 WNBA season
-External links:**...
| 2001
2001 Orlando Miracle season
The 2001 WNBA season was their 3rd in the league. The Miracle missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Miracle also hosted the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 5th
| 13
| 19
| .406
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2002
2002 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2002
2002 Orlando Miracle season
The 2002 WNBA season was their 4th season and their last in Orlando. The Miracle missed out of the playoffs by losing in a tiebreaker to the Indiana Fever. It was also the final season in Orlando.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 5th
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Dee Brown
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#092C57" | Connecticut Sun
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2003
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2003
2003 Connecticut Sun season
The 2003 WNBA season was their 5th season and their 1st in Connecticut. The Sun made the playoffs for the first time since 2000. They would sweep the Charlotte Sting in the first round, only to get swept to the eventual champion Detroit Shock in the conference finals.-Dispersal Draft:Based on the...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Charlotte
Charlotte Sting
The Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2004
2004 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2004
2004 Connecticut Sun season
The 2004 WNBA season was their 6th season and their 2nd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the second consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 1st
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (New York
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Seattle
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2005
2005 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2005
2005 Connecticut Sun season
The 2005 WNBA season was their 7th season and their 3rd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the third consecutive season and were successful...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Detroit
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Indiana
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Sacramento
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
, 1–3)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2006
2006 WNBA season
-External links:*******...
| 2006
2006 Connecticut Sun season
The 2006 WNBA season was their 8th season and their 4th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and were successful...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2007
2007 WNBA season
-External links:* * * * * * * *...
| 2007
2007 Connecticut Sun season
The 2007 WNBA season was their 9th season and their 5th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Indiana
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2008
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
| 2008
2008 Connecticut Sun season
The 2008 WNBA season was their 10th season and their 6th in Connecticut. The Sun successfully advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (New York
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2009
2009 WNBA season
The 2009 WNBA Season is the 13th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is the first WNBA season ever without a Houston franchise, the Comets having folded in December 2008...
| 2009
2009 Connecticut Sun season
The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 6th
| 16
| 18
| .471
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2010
2010 WNBA season
The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star...
| 2010
2010 Connecticut Sun season
The 2010 WNBA season is the 12th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 8th in Connecticut.-Dispersal draft:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 5th
| 17
| 17
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2011
2011 WNBA season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA Draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV...
| 2011
2011 Connecticut Sun season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 13th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 9th in Connecticut.-WNBA Draft:The following are the Sun's selections in the 2011 WNBA Draft.-Transaction log:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Atlanta
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Regular season
|style="background:#eee;"| 241
|style="background:#eee;"| 193
|style="background:#eee;"| .555
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 2 Conference Championships
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Playoffs
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| .500
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 0 WNBA Championships
|}
Former players
- Debbie BlackDebbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
(2003–2004), now an assistant coach at Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... - Jamie CareyJamie CareyJamie Leigh Carey was a professional basketball player, playing the point guard position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA until her retirement in 2009...
(2005–2008) - Katie DouglasKatie DouglasKathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
(2001–2007), now a member of the Indiana FeverIndiana FeverThe Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Margo DydekMargo DydekMałgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(2005–2007) - Kerri GardinKerri GardinKerri Gardin is an American professional basketball player. She most recently played the forward position for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA.-College career:...
(2008–2010) - Shannon JohnsonShannon JohnsonShannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(1999–2003) - Rebecca LoboRebecca LoboRebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
(2003), now a sideline reporter for ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming.... - Carla McGheeCarla McGheeCarla McGhee was an American basketball player most notable for her career at the University of Tennessee. She was injured in a motor vehicle accident in 1987 and was in a coma for 47 hours, suffering brain injuries and breaking nearly every bone in her face. She was told she’d never play again....
(1999–2002), now a Director of Player Personnel for the WNBAWomen's National Basketball AssociationThe Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
front office - Taj McWilliams-Franklin (1999–2006), now a member of the Minnesota LynxMinnesota LynxThe Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
- Elaine PowellElaine PowellElaine Powell is a professional basketball player. A point guard, she played in the WNBA from 1999 to 2008.-College career:In two years at LSU, Powell averaged 19.1 points per game...
(1999–2002) - Erin PhillipsErin PhillipsErin Victoria Phillips is an Australian professional women's basketball player. In the United States, she currently plays for the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association and for Adelaide Lightning in the Women's National Basketball League .-Personal:Phillips is the daughter...
(2006–2009), now a member of the Indiana FeverIndiana FeverThe Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Nykesha SalesNykesha SalesNykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(1999–2007) - DeMya WalkerDeMya WalkerDeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
(2010–2011), now a member of the Washington MysticsWashington MysticsThe Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'... - Lindsay WhalenLindsay WhalenLindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(2004–2009), now a member of the Minnesota LynxMinnesota LynxThe Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season... - Tamika WhitmoreTamika WhitmoreTamika Whitmore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.-College years:She played collegiate basketball while attending the University of Memphis on a scholarship...
(2008–2009) - Le'coe WillinghamLe'coe WillinghamLe'coe Willingham is a professional basketball player. Attending Hephzibah High School, she won the 1998 AAAA Georgia State Women's state high jump title...
(2004–2007), now a member of the Seattle StormSeattle StormThe Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Brooke WyckoffBrooke WyckoffBrooke Wyckoff is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" forward from Florida State University, Wyckoff played in the WNBA from 2001 to 2009, competing for the Orlando Miracle, the Connecticut Sun, and the Chicago Sky...
(2001–2005)
Owners
- RDV Sports, Inc.RDV Sports, Inc.RDV Sports, Inc. is a Michigan corporation set up by Richard DeVos to purchase the NBA franchise, the Orlando Magic. Over time its assets have included the Orlando Miracle WNBA team, Orlando Solar Bears and RDV Sportsplex....
, owner of the Orlando MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
(1998–2002) - Mohegan SunMohegan SunMohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
(2003–present)
Head coaches
{| class="toccolours" width=90% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun head coaches
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="15%" rowspan="2" | Name
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | Start
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | End
! width="5%" rowspan="2" | Seasons
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Regular season
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Playoffs
|-
! W !! L !! PCT !! G !! W !! L !! PCT !! G
|-
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|| July 6, 1998 || April 3, 2002 || 4 || width="5%"|44 || width="5%"|52 || width="5%"|.458 || width="5%"|96 ||width="5%"|1 || width="5%"|2 || width="5%"|.333 || width="5%"|3
|-
| Dee Brown || April 5, 2002 || End of 2002
2002 WNBA season
-External links:***...
|| 1 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.500 || width="5%"|32 ||width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|.000 || width="5%"|0
|-
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|| March 7, 2003 || Current || 9 || width="5%"|181 || width="5%"|125 || width="5%"|.592 || width="5%"|306||width="5%"|17 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.515 || width="5%"|33
|}
General managers
- Carolyn PeckCarolyn PeckCarolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
(1998–2001) - Dee Brown (2002)
- Chris Sienko (2003–present)
Assistant coaches
- Rick Stukes (1999–2000)
- Charlene Thomas-SwinsonCharlene Thomas-SwinsonCharlene Thomas-Swinson was the head women's basketball coach at Tulsa, where she was let go after six seasons. Her overall record as a head coach stands at 61-86 in five seasons. The 2006 team earned the Conference USA championship, and an NCAA tournament appearance...
(1999–2001) - Michael Peck (2001)
- Vonn Read (2002)
- Valerie StillValerie StillValerie Still is a former United States professional women's basketball player with the Washington Mystics of the WNBA.During her four years at the University of Kentucky, she scored more points than any other basketball player, male or female, with 2,763 points. Afterwards she went abroad, playing...
(2002) - Bernadette Mattox (2003–present)
- Scott Hawk (2003–present)
Statistics
{| class="toccolours" width=80% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun statistics
|- valign="top"
|
1990s
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
Field goal percentage
Field goal percentage in basketball is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. Three-point field goals are included in this percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes...
|-
| 1999
1999 Orlando Miracle season
The 1999 WNBA season was the Orlando Miracle's inaugural season. The Miracle tied for second place in the conference with the Detroit Shock and the Charlotte Sting. However, both Detroit and Charlotte beat Orlando in two of their three meetings during the regular season...
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(14.0)
| T. McWilliams (7.5)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(4.4)
| 68.9 vs 69.3
| 30.2 vs 31.4
| .424 vs .429
|}
|
2000s
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
Field goal percentage
Field goal percentage in basketball is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. Three-point field goals are included in this percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes...
|-
| 2000
2000 Orlando Miracle season
The 2000 WNBA season was their 2nd in the league. The Miracle made to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, only to lose to the Cleveland Rockers in three games.-WNBA Draft:-Roster:-Preseason:...
| T. McWilliams (13.7)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(5.3)
| 69.0 vs 69.8
| 28.9 vs 31.8
| .436 vs .433
|-
| 2001
2001 Orlando Miracle season
The 2001 WNBA season was their 3rd in the league. The Miracle missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Miracle also hosted the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(13.5)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| E. Powell
Elaine Powell
Elaine Powell is a professional basketball player. A point guard, she played in the WNBA from 1999 to 2008.-College career:In two years at LSU, Powell averaged 19.1 points per game...
(3.1)
| 66.9 vs 68.9
| 30.3 vs 30.5
| .401 vs .440
|-
| 2002
2002 Orlando Miracle season
The 2002 WNBA season was their 4th season and their last in Orlando. The Miracle missed out of the playoffs by losing in a tiebreaker to the Indiana Fever. It was also the final season in Orlando.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(16.1)
| W. Palmer (5.8)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(5.3)
| 70.4 vs 70.5
| 28.6 vs 32.7
| .422 vs .432
|-
| 2003
2003 Connecticut Sun season
The 2003 WNBA season was their 5th season and their 1st in Connecticut. The Sun made the playoffs for the first time since 2000. They would sweep the Charlotte Sting in the first round, only to get swept to the eventual champion Detroit Shock in the conference finals.-Dispersal Draft:Based on the...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(16.1)
| T. McWilliams (6.7)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(5.8)
| 70.1 vs 70.9
| 32.2 vs 34.6
| .411 vs .411
|-
| 2004
2004 Connecticut Sun season
The 2004 WNBA season was their 6th season and their 2nd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the second consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(15.2)
| T. McWilliams (7.2)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(4.8)
| 68.7 vs 67.8
| 30.7 vs 31.3
| .427 vs .430
|-
| 2005
2005 Connecticut Sun season
The 2005 WNBA season was their 7th season and their 3rd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the third consecutive season and were successful...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(15.6)
| T. McWilliams (7.3)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(5.1)
| 72.8 vs 66.0
| 32.6 vs 31.7
| .452 vs .398
|-
| 2006
2006 Connecticut Sun season
The 2006 WNBA season was their 8th season and their 4th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and were successful...
| K. Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
(16.4)
| T. McWilliams (9.6)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(4.6)
| 78.9 vs 71.1
| 37.3 vs 33.9
| .443 vs .402
|-
| 2007
2007 Connecticut Sun season
The 2007 WNBA season was their 9th season and their 5th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| K. Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
(17.0)
| M. Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(6.5)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(5.0)
| 78.7 vs 76.3
| 35.9 vs 34.7
| .430 vs .421
|-
| 2008
2008 Connecticut Sun season
The 2008 WNBA season was their 10th season and their 6th in Connecticut. The Sun successfully advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season...
| A. Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
(17.0)
| A. Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
(6.1)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(5.4)
| 79.1 vs 74.7
| 36.4 vs 35.3
| .422 vs .418
|-
| 2009
2009 Connecticut Sun season
The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal...
| A. Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
(16.7)
| S. Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
(6.3)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(4.6)
| 78.0 vs 78.1
| 34.8 vs 37.5
| .406 vs .426
|}
|
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team based in Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
, playing in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
in the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA). The team was founded in Orlando, Florida
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
before the 1999 season
1999 WNBA season
-External links:**...
began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
. The Sun was the first WNBA franchise not to be owned by an NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
owner; the team is owned by the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in Connecticut as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies
Connecticut Huskies women's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team represents the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in NCAA women's basketball competition. Under head coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies have won 7 NCAA Division I national championships, advanced to 12 Final Fours, and won over 30 Big...
, the Sun had the distinction of being the only WNBA team not to share its market with an NBA team from 2003 until the Seattle Supersonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
moved, leaving the Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
alone in Seattle, Washington. Currently, the Sun is the only WNBA franchise (besides the defunct Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
) to finish each season with fewer than 20 losses.
The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
in six of its eight years in Connecticut. Notable players include the 7 foot 2 inch, the late Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(died in 2011), Indiana native Katie Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
, University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
standouts Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
and Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
, 2010 Rookie of the Year
WNBA Rookie of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the 1998 WNBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner is selected by a panel of sportswriters throughout the United States, each of whom...
Tina Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
and 2008
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
MVP runner-up point guard Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
. In 2004
2004 WNBA Finals
The 2004 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2004 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Seattle Storm, second-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, two games to one in a...
and 2005
2005 WNBA Finals
The 2005 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Sacramento Monarchs, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, three games to one in a...
, the Sun went to the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
but fell short to Seattle
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
and Sacramento
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
, respectively.
The Orlando Miracle (1999–2002)
Before the franchise relocated to Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
in 2003, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
. The Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
played their games at TD Waterhouse Centre
TD Waterhouse Centre
Amway Arena is a defunct indoor arena in Orlando, Florida. It is part of the Orlando Centroplex, a sports and entertainment complex located in Downtown Orlando...
(Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
) as the sister team of the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
. The Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
placed reasonable records in their four years of existence, and earned the third seed in the 2000 WNBA playoffs, losing in the first round against the Cleveland Rockers
Cleveland Rockers
This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
. After the 2002 WNBA season
2002 WNBA season
-External links:***...
, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the teams, which placed the WNBA league in the middle of team contractions, relocations, and potential labor strife. As a result, the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
ownership was no longer interested in keeping the Miracle
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
. Since no local ownership was reached, the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
were bought by the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
Native American Tribe. On January 28, 2003, it was announced that the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
would immediately move to Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
and change their nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
casino). It is also worth noting that the Connecticut Sun's nickname, color scheme and logo are extremely reminiscent of another defunct Florida-based franchise, the Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
, which folded at the same time as the Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
.
Rebuilding in Connecticut (2003)
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
looking to build upon a 2002 campaign in which they missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. The Connecticut Sun underwent a total overhaul during the offseason – acquiring former University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
standout Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
from the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
and selecting Debbie Black
Debbie Black
Debbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
in the Miami Sol
Miami Sol
The Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
/Portland Fire
Portland Fire
The Portland Fire joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000 as the counterpart to the NBA team the Portland Trail Blazers. They played their games at Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The team folded after the 2002 season, after just three seasons in the league...
dispersal draft. Additionally, general manager Chris Sienko named Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
, a coaching veteran with two NBA titles as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, as the first head coach for the franchise.
Despite making essential acquisitions and creating depth in their roster, the Connecticut Sun were predicted to finish towards the end of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
standings. On May 24, 2003, the Connecticut Sun hosted their first regular-season game, which was shown on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. The Connecticut Sun yielded to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
, 82–73, before a sellout crowd of 9,341. However, the Connecticut Sun won their following road game by defeating the highly acclaimed Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
, with the final score of 91–83. Remarkably, the Connecticut Sun achieved their first victory at home by once again defeating the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
, 65–58, at Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. At the conclusion of the 2003 WNBA season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
, the Connecticut Sun surprised spectators by finishing with an 18–16 record, thus clinching the first playoff berth in their history. In the opening round, the Connecticut Sun won their first playoff series by sweeping the second-seeded Charlotte Sting
Charlotte Sting
The Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
. In the Eastern Conference Finals
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
, however, the Connecticut Sun faced the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
. The Shock
Shock
Circulatory shock, commonly known simply as shock, is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs due to inadequate substrate for aerobic cellular respiration...
were victorious in all four games against the Connecticut Sun in the regular season. Nonetheless, the Connecticut Sun finally succumbed to the eventual WNBA champion Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
in two hard-fought, enduring games. The 2003 Eastern Conference Finals
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
would be the first of numerous postseason encounters that the Connecticut Sun had with the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
.
That the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
swept the arduous series did nothing to diminish what the Sun accomplished in their first season in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The 2003 WNBA season
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
was highlighted by a number of other noteworthy accomplishments. For instance, Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
and Shannon Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
both achieved milestones by scoring 2,000 career points. Furthermore, as the season progressed, the Connecticut Sun attracted an increasing number of fans to the Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
, averaging 7,195 per game following the All Star
2003 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2003 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 12, 2003 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, home of the New York Liberty. This is the second time New York hosted the contest after previously hosting the 1999 game...
break.
The Rising Horizon (2004–2005)
Head coach Mike ThibaultMike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
surprised many by trading all-star point guard Shannon Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
for the 4th pick in the WNBA Draft
WNBA Draft
The WNBA Draft is an annual draft held by the WNBA through which WNBA teams can select new players from a talent pool of college and professional women's basketball players. The first WNBA draft was held in 1997...
. With that pick the Sun selected Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
star Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18–16 record in an equally-talented Eastern Conference, winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun defeated the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
2–1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun rolled on, sweeping the New York Liberty
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series, 2–1, to the Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
.
In the 2005 off season, the Sun acquired 7'2" center Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
. With a dominant post presence, the hungry Sun controlled the Eastern Conference, posting a 26–8 record, the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun flew to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
and the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
team. Also against the Sun's luck, Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it was of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best-of-five format.
The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game
Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game
The Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game, commonly referred to as the WNBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played in the United States between the best players of the Eastern and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association...
. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Deshaun Leslie-Lockwood is a former American professional women's basketball player in the WNBA. She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner...
became the first woman to ever dunk in an All-Star Game.
A Disappointing End and a New Battle (2006–2007)
In 2006, the Sun would match their 2005 record and it looked like a return trip to the Finals was certain. Mike Thibault received the WNBA Coach of the Year AwardWNBA Coach of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the league's inaugural season. The winner is selected at the end of regular season by a panel of sportswriters from the United States, each of whom casts a vote...
, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. All five starters were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor.
The Sun stumbled out of the gate in 2007, posting a dismal 5–10 record by late June. However, the Sun stormed back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18–16, good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun faced the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun allowed the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending with a 93–88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and therefore the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.
The 2007 season was the end of the Connecticut Sun that many fans had come to know.
In Search for Prestige (2008–2009)
The front office knew something had to be done to save the team from another disappointing finish. During the 2007–08 off-season, the Connecticut Sun made major changes to their roster in an effort to win that ever-elusive championship title. The Sun made three trades, one sending Katie DouglasKatie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore
Tamika Whitmore
Tamika Whitmore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.-College years:She played collegiate basketball while attending the University of Memphis on a scholarship...
who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years. Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries. 7'2" center Margo Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
also took the season off due to her pregnancy. With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
.
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
won game three on the Sun's home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebuilding season, the Sun looked to come back even stronger in 2009. There was no reason to believe the Sun would not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127–77, translating into a winning percentage of .623, with the Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
having the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game
2009 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2009 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 25, 2009 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, home of the Connecticut Sun. The game was the 9th annual WNBA All-Star Game...
was held on July 25 at 3:30pm in the Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. It was the second time the Sun had hosted the game. It was broadcast nationally on ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
(HD
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
). Like the two previous seasons, they would start the season on a struggling note. But they later won 7 out of their next 10 games, putting them in playoff position. Halfway through the season, however, there was a three-way tie for second place which included the Sun, the Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
, and the Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
. The Sun, plagued by a late-season injury to all-star Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
missed the playoffs for the first time since moving from Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. Sun fans found an unwelcome and unfamiliar ending to the 2009 season
2009 Connecticut Sun season
The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal...
. They finished overall with a 16–18 record and finished 6th in the East.
A New Era (2010–present)
After a disheartening 2009 season, the Sun and general manager Chris Sienko knew that they had to make some crucial decisions before moving on. On January 12, 2010, in the league's first transaction of the year, the Sun sent Lindsay WhalenLindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
to the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. In exchange, the Sun received former University of Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies, also known as the UConn Huskies, are the athletic teams of the University of Connecticut in the United States. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference for all sports except Men's Ice Hockey and Women's Ice...
standout Renee Montgomery
Renee Montgomery
Renee Danielle Montgomery is an American basketball player who won a national championship with the UConn Huskies in 2009. She currently plays for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-High school:...
, as well as the first overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
. The purpose of this trade was to secure their selection of the dominant center, Tina Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
. This move meant that Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
would shift to power forward and Asjha Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
would move to the three. Furthermore, the Sun were in need of an outside scoring presence, since last year's squad shot just 31.6 percent from downtown. As a result, the Sun acquired forward Kelsey Griffin
Kelsey Griffin
Kelsey Griffin is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. She was drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. Griffin played college ball for Nebraska, leading the Cornhuskers to their best ever season...
, who was taken third overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft
2010 WNBA Draft
The 2010 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 8, 2010. The first round was shown on ESPN2 , while the second and third rounds were shown on NBA TV and ESPNU.A lottery was...
by the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. In return, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
received the Sun's first and second round draft picks for the 2011 WNBA Draft
2011 WNBA Draft
The 2011 WNBA Draft is the league's annual process for determining which teams receive the rights to negotiate with players entering the league. The draft was held on April 11, 2011 at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut...
. To conclude their busy draft day, the Sun selected Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray is a forward for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. McCray was born November 8, 1987 in Boynton Beach, Florida. McCray was selected 7th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She played collegiately for the Kansas Jayhawks where she was named a second-team All-American during her senior season...
out of Kansas and Allison Hightower
Allison Hightower
Allison Hightower is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. She was drafted 15th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft.-High school:...
from Louisiana State. On February 2, 2010, the Sun also announced the signing of Olympian
United States women's national basketball team
The United States women's national basketball team are the defending Olympic champions in women's basketball. The team is composed of some of the top American players in the WNBA and the women's college game....
and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
.
In addition to acquiring Kara Lawson
Kara Lawson
-External links:**...
, the Sun were able to select DeMya Walker
DeMya Walker
DeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
as the third overall selection in the Sacramento Monarchs
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
dispersal draft. These two experienced players provided a veteran presence and served as mentors to the young Sun team. With the numerous acquisitions during the off-season, the Sun hoped that their young core of players could complement their veteran guards.
After the 2010 WNBA season
2010 WNBA season
The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star...
, news surfaced that the Connecticut Sun were the first franchise in WNBA history to turn a profit.
The 2011 season
2011 WNBA season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA Draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV...
started well for the Sun. Few changes were made in the offseason, which gave the team some consistency and a year of experience on which to build. Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
and Anete Jekabsone-Zogota decided to sit out the season, so the Sun looked elsewhere, adding Jessica Moore
Jessica Moore (basketball)
Jessica Moore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently playing for the Connecticut Sun. Jessica was a Center for the UConn Huskies from 2000–2005.-High school:...
and relying on rookie Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray
Danielle McCray is a forward for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. McCray was born November 8, 1987 in Boynton Beach, Florida. McCray was selected 7th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. She played collegiately for the Kansas Jayhawks where she was named a second-team All-American during her senior season...
to step up and score. In a tough Eastern Conference, the Sun held a 9–5 record going into the All-Star break
2011 WNBA All-Star Game
The 2011 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 23, 2011 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, home of the San Antonio Silver Stars. The game was the 10th WNBA All-Star Game, which has been held annually since 1999 except in 2004, 2008, and 2010...
.
Current home
The Connecticut Sun currently play in the Mohegan Sun ArenaMohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
. Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive entertainment, gaming, shopping and hotel destinations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The arena is located at Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
. Compared to other arenas played at by teams in the WNBA, Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
is considerably small. The maximum capacity in the entire arena (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game is 9,518. The Connecticut Sun are the only major professional franchise located in the Hartford market.
The Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
is located in the center of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino. Due to this placement, Connecticut Sun fans take advantage of the restaurants, shops and other destinations in the casino before and after games. Frequently, Connecticut Sun and opposing players can be found eating in restaurants after games. Opposing teams stay in the hotel at the casino and are often seen walking from the arena to the lobby. All members of the Connecticut Sun organization are considered employees of the casino, and as such, are unable to partake in any of the games of chance offered there.
Uniforms
- 1999–2002: For home games, the Miracle wore white with blue on the sides/shoulders and white Miracle logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with white on the sides and white Miracle logo text on the chest. The Miracle logo is on the shorts.
- 2003: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, pure red with gold trim on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2004–2006: For home games, the Sun wore white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with sun red and gold trim on the sides, as well as gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2007: For home games, the Sun wore white with images of basic suns on the sides and Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with images of basic suns on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
- 2008–2010: For home games, the Sun wore white with the word "Connecticut" printed vertically on the sides and the Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, the Sun wore blue with word "Sun" printed vertically on the sides and the gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is shown on the shorts.
- 2011–present: For home games, the Sun wore white with blue vertical stripes on the sides and the Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, the Sun wore blue with white vertical stripes on the sides and gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is shown on the left shoulder.
Season-by-season records
{|class="navbox wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align: center; width: 85%;"|-
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 10%;"| Season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 8%;" | Team
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 12%;" | Conference
!colspan="3" style="background:#eee; width: 15%;"| Regular season
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 30%;"| Playoff
WNBA Playoffs
The WNBA Playoffs is a best-of-three elimination tournament between eight teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association , ultimately deciding the final two teams who will play in the WNBA Finals....
results
!rowspan="2" style="background:#eee; width: 13%;"| Head coach
|-
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|W
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|L
!style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|PCT
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#4682B4" | Orlando Miracle
Orlando Miracle
The Orlando Miracle was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Orlando, Florida. They began play in the 1999 WNBA season. The Miracle relocated, in 2003,to Uncasville, Connecticut where the team became the Connecticut Sun...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 1999
1999 WNBA season
-External links:**...
| 1999
1999 Orlando Miracle season
The 1999 WNBA season was the Orlando Miracle's inaugural season. The Miracle tied for second place in the conference with the Detroit Shock and the Charlotte Sting. However, both Detroit and Charlotte beat Orlando in two of their three meetings during the regular season...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 4th
| 15
| 17
| .469
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2000
2000 WNBA season
-External links:**...
| 2000
2000 Orlando Miracle season
The 2000 WNBA season was their 2nd in the league. The Miracle made to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, only to lose to the Cleveland Rockers in three games.-WNBA Draft:-Roster:-Preseason:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 3rd
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Cleveland
Cleveland Rockers
This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
, 1–2)
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2001
2001 WNBA season
-External links:**...
| 2001
2001 Orlando Miracle season
The 2001 WNBA season was their 3rd in the league. The Miracle missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Miracle also hosted the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 5th
| 13
| 19
| .406
| Did not qualify
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2002
2002 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2002
2002 Orlando Miracle season
The 2002 WNBA season was their 4th season and their last in Orlando. The Miracle missed out of the playoffs by losing in a tiebreaker to the Indiana Fever. It was also the final season in Orlando.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 5th
| 16
| 16
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Dee Brown
|-
|colspan="9" align=center bgcolor="#092C57" | Connecticut Sun
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2003
2003 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2003
2003 Connecticut Sun season
The 2003 WNBA season was their 5th season and their 1st in Connecticut. The Sun made the playoffs for the first time since 2000. They would sweep the Charlotte Sting in the first round, only to get swept to the eventual champion Detroit Shock in the conference finals.-Dispersal Draft:Based on the...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Charlotte
Charlotte Sting
The Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2004
2004 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2004
2004 Connecticut Sun season
The 2004 WNBA season was their 6th season and their 2nd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the second consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 1st
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (New York
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Seattle
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2005
2005 WNBA season
-External links:***...
| 2005
2005 Connecticut Sun season
The 2005 WNBA season was their 7th season and their 3rd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the third consecutive season and were successful...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Detroit
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Indiana
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
, 2–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Sacramento
Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
, 1–3)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2006
2006 WNBA season
-External links:*******...
| 2006
2006 Connecticut Sun season
The 2006 WNBA season was their 8th season and their 4th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and were successful...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 1st
| 26
| 8
| .765
| Won Conference Semifinals (Washington
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2007
2007 WNBA season
-External links:* * * * * * * *...
| 2007
2007 Connecticut Sun season
The 2007 WNBA season was their 9th season and their 5th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 3rd
| 18
| 16
| .529
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Indiana
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2008
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
| 2008
2008 Connecticut Sun season
The 2008 WNBA season was their 10th season and their 6th in Connecticut. The Sun successfully advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (New York
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
, 1–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2009
2009 WNBA season
The 2009 WNBA Season is the 13th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is the first WNBA season ever without a Houston franchise, the Comets having folded in December 2008...
| 2009
2009 Connecticut Sun season
The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 6th
| 16
| 18
| .471
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2010
2010 WNBA season
The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star...
| 2010
2010 Connecticut Sun season
The 2010 WNBA season is the 12th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 8th in Connecticut.-Dispersal draft:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 5th
| 17
| 17
| .500
| Did not qualify
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-align="center"
!style="background:#eee;"| 2011
2011 WNBA season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA Draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV...
| 2011
2011 Connecticut Sun season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 13th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 9th in Connecticut.-WNBA Draft:The following are the Sun's selections in the 2011 WNBA Draft.-Transaction log:...
| style="width: 10%"|East
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
| 2nd
| 21
| 13
| .618
| Lost Conference Semifinals (Atlanta
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
, 0–2)
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Regular season
|style="background:#eee;"| 241
|style="background:#eee;"| 193
|style="background:#eee;"| .555
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 2 Conference Championships
|-
|colspan="4" style="background:#eee;"|Playoffs
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| 18
|style="background:#eee;"| .500
|colspan="2" style="background:#eee;"| 0 WNBA Championships
|}
Former players
- Debbie BlackDebbie BlackDebbie Black is an assistant coach for the Ohio State University's women's basketball team and a former professional basketball player. During her professional career, Black played for the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, the American Basketball League and the Women's National...
(2003–2004), now an assistant coach at Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... - Jamie CareyJamie CareyJamie Leigh Carey was a professional basketball player, playing the point guard position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA until her retirement in 2009...
(2005–2008) - Katie DouglasKatie DouglasKathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
(2001–2007), now a member of the Indiana FeverIndiana FeverThe Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Margo DydekMargo DydekMałgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(2005–2007) - Kerri GardinKerri GardinKerri Gardin is an American professional basketball player. She most recently played the forward position for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA.-College career:...
(2008–2010) - Shannon JohnsonShannon JohnsonShannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(1999–2003) - Rebecca LoboRebecca LoboRebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
(2003), now a sideline reporter for ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming.... - Carla McGheeCarla McGheeCarla McGhee was an American basketball player most notable for her career at the University of Tennessee. She was injured in a motor vehicle accident in 1987 and was in a coma for 47 hours, suffering brain injuries and breaking nearly every bone in her face. She was told she’d never play again....
(1999–2002), now a Director of Player Personnel for the WNBAWomen's National Basketball AssociationThe Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
front office - Taj McWilliams-Franklin (1999–2006), now a member of the Minnesota LynxMinnesota LynxThe Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
- Elaine PowellElaine PowellElaine Powell is a professional basketball player. A point guard, she played in the WNBA from 1999 to 2008.-College career:In two years at LSU, Powell averaged 19.1 points per game...
(1999–2002) - Erin PhillipsErin PhillipsErin Victoria Phillips is an Australian professional women's basketball player. In the United States, she currently plays for the Indiana Fever in the Women's National Basketball Association and for Adelaide Lightning in the Women's National Basketball League .-Personal:Phillips is the daughter...
(2006–2009), now a member of the Indiana FeverIndiana FeverThe Indiana Fever is a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Nykesha SalesNykesha SalesNykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(1999–2007) - DeMya WalkerDeMya WalkerDeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
(2010–2011), now a member of the Washington MysticsWashington MysticsThe Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'... - Lindsay WhalenLindsay WhalenLindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(2004–2009), now a member of the Minnesota LynxMinnesota LynxThe Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season... - Tamika WhitmoreTamika WhitmoreTamika Whitmore is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA.-College years:She played collegiate basketball while attending the University of Memphis on a scholarship...
(2008–2009) - Le'coe WillinghamLe'coe WillinghamLe'coe Willingham is a professional basketball player. Attending Hephzibah High School, she won the 1998 AAAA Georgia State Women's state high jump title...
(2004–2007), now a member of the Seattle StormSeattle StormThe Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began... - Brooke WyckoffBrooke WyckoffBrooke Wyckoff is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'1" forward from Florida State University, Wyckoff played in the WNBA from 2001 to 2009, competing for the Orlando Miracle, the Connecticut Sun, and the Chicago Sky...
(2001–2005)
Owners
- RDV Sports, Inc.RDV Sports, Inc.RDV Sports, Inc. is a Michigan corporation set up by Richard DeVos to purchase the NBA franchise, the Orlando Magic. Over time its assets have included the Orlando Miracle WNBA team, Orlando Solar Bears and RDV Sportsplex....
, owner of the Orlando MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
(1998–2002) - Mohegan SunMohegan SunMohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
(2003–present)
Head coaches
{| class="toccolours" width=90% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun head coaches
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="15%" rowspan="2" | Name
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | Start
! width="10%" rowspan="2" | End
! width="5%" rowspan="2" | Seasons
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Regular season
! width="20%" colspan="4" | Playoffs
|-
! W !! L !! PCT !! G !! W !! L !! PCT !! G
|-
| Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Peck
Carolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
|| July 6, 1998 || April 3, 2002 || 4 || width="5%"|44 || width="5%"|52 || width="5%"|.458 || width="5%"|96 ||width="5%"|1 || width="5%"|2 || width="5%"|.333 || width="5%"|3
|-
| Dee Brown || April 5, 2002 || End of 2002
2002 WNBA season
-External links:***...
|| 1 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.500 || width="5%"|32 ||width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|0 || width="5%"|.000 || width="5%"|0
|-
| Mike Thibault
Mike Thibault
Mike Francis Thibault is an American basketball head coach, most recently of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.-Career:Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked...
|| March 7, 2003 || Current || 9 || width="5%"|181 || width="5%"|125 || width="5%"|.592 || width="5%"|306||width="5%"|17 || width="5%"|16 || width="5%"|.515 || width="5%"|33
|}
General managers
- Carolyn PeckCarolyn PeckCarolyn Arlene Peck is an American television sportscaster and former college basketball coach. She was was the head coach for the women's basketball teams of Purdue University and the University of Florida, and also the first head coach-general manager in the history of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle...
(1998–2001) - Dee Brown (2002)
- Chris Sienko (2003–present)
Assistant coaches
- Rick Stukes (1999–2000)
- Charlene Thomas-SwinsonCharlene Thomas-SwinsonCharlene Thomas-Swinson was the head women's basketball coach at Tulsa, where she was let go after six seasons. Her overall record as a head coach stands at 61-86 in five seasons. The 2006 team earned the Conference USA championship, and an NCAA tournament appearance...
(1999–2001) - Michael Peck (2001)
- Vonn Read (2002)
- Valerie StillValerie StillValerie Still is a former United States professional women's basketball player with the Washington Mystics of the WNBA.During her four years at the University of Kentucky, she scored more points than any other basketball player, male or female, with 2,763 points. Afterwards she went abroad, playing...
(2002) - Bernadette Mattox (2003–present)
- Scott Hawk (2003–present)
Statistics
{| class="toccolours" width=80% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"|-
! colspan=2 style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Connecticut Sun statistics
|- valign="top"
|
1990s
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
Field goal percentage
Field goal percentage in basketball is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. Three-point field goals are included in this percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes...
|-
| 1999
1999 Orlando Miracle season
The 1999 WNBA season was the Orlando Miracle's inaugural season. The Miracle tied for second place in the conference with the Detroit Shock and the Charlotte Sting. However, both Detroit and Charlotte beat Orlando in two of their three meetings during the regular season...
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(14.0)
| T. McWilliams (7.5)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(4.4)
| 68.9 vs 69.3
| 30.2 vs 31.4
| .424 vs .429
|}
|
2000s
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
Field goal percentage
Field goal percentage in basketball is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. Three-point field goals are included in this percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes...
|-
| 2000
2000 Orlando Miracle season
The 2000 WNBA season was their 2nd in the league. The Miracle made to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, only to lose to the Cleveland Rockers in three games.-WNBA Draft:-Roster:-Preseason:...
| T. McWilliams (13.7)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(5.3)
| 69.0 vs 69.8
| 28.9 vs 31.8
| .436 vs .433
|-
| 2001
2001 Orlando Miracle season
The 2001 WNBA season was their 3rd in the league. The Miracle missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Miracle also hosted the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(13.5)
| T. McWilliams (7.6)
| E. Powell
Elaine Powell
Elaine Powell is a professional basketball player. A point guard, she played in the WNBA from 1999 to 2008.-College career:In two years at LSU, Powell averaged 19.1 points per game...
(3.1)
| 66.9 vs 68.9
| 30.3 vs 30.5
| .401 vs .440
|-
| 2002
2002 Orlando Miracle season
The 2002 WNBA season was their 4th season and their last in Orlando. The Miracle missed out of the playoffs by losing in a tiebreaker to the Indiana Fever. It was also the final season in Orlando.-WNBA Draft:-Transactions:...
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(16.1)
| W. Palmer (5.8)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(5.3)
| 70.4 vs 70.5
| 28.6 vs 32.7
| .422 vs .432
|-
| 2003
2003 Connecticut Sun season
The 2003 WNBA season was their 5th season and their 1st in Connecticut. The Sun made the playoffs for the first time since 2000. They would sweep the Charlotte Sting in the first round, only to get swept to the eventual champion Detroit Shock in the conference finals.-Dispersal Draft:Based on the...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(16.1)
| T. McWilliams (6.7)
| S. Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Shannon Regina Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.-Career:...
(5.8)
| 70.1 vs 70.9
| 32.2 vs 34.6
| .411 vs .411
|-
| 2004
2004 Connecticut Sun season
The 2004 WNBA season was their 6th season and their 2nd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the second consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(15.2)
| T. McWilliams (7.2)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(4.8)
| 68.7 vs 67.8
| 30.7 vs 31.3
| .427 vs .430
|-
| 2005
2005 Connecticut Sun season
The 2005 WNBA season was their 7th season and their 3rd in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the third consecutive season and were successful...
| N. Sales
Nykesha Sales
Nykesha Simone Sales is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, most recently for the Connecticut Sun. Her primary position is the small forward. Her second position is shooting guard. In 1999 Sales was added to the roster of the USA FIBA Senior National Team team...
(15.6)
| T. McWilliams (7.3)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(5.1)
| 72.8 vs 66.0
| 32.6 vs 31.7
| .452 vs .398
|-
| 2006
2006 Connecticut Sun season
The 2006 WNBA season was their 8th season and their 4th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and were successful...
| K. Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
(16.4)
| T. McWilliams (9.6)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(4.6)
| 78.9 vs 71.1
| 37.3 vs 33.9
| .443 vs .402
|-
| 2007
2007 Connecticut Sun season
The 2007 WNBA season was their 9th season and their 5th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and were successful.-Dispersal Draft:...
| K. Douglas
Katie Douglas
Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” Douglas is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA...
(17.0)
| M. Dydek
Margo Dydek
Małgorzata Dydek , known as Margo Dydek in the United States, was a Polish international professional basketball player. Standing tall, she was famous for being the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world...
(6.5)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(5.0)
| 78.7 vs 76.3
| 35.9 vs 34.7
| .430 vs .421
|-
| 2008
2008 Connecticut Sun season
The 2008 WNBA season was their 10th season and their 6th in Connecticut. The Sun successfully advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season...
| A. Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
(17.0)
| A. Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
(6.1)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(5.4)
| 79.1 vs 74.7
| 36.4 vs 35.3
| .422 vs .418
|-
| 2009
2009 Connecticut Sun season
The 2009 WNBA season is the 11th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 7th in Connecticut. The Sun attempted to advance to the WNBA Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but did not qualify for the postseason.-Dispersal...
| A. Jones
Asjha Jones
Asjha Takera Jones is a professional basketball player. She plays the power forward position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Early years:...
(16.7)
| S. Gruda
Sandrine Gruda
Sandrine Gruda is a French professional basketball player. She currently plays the center position for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-Before the WNBA:...
(6.3)
| L. Whalen
Lindsay Whalen
Lindsay Marie Whalen is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. She began her pro career as a point guard for the Connecticut Sun...
(4.6)
| 78.0 vs 78.1
| 34.8 vs 37.5
| .406 vs .426
|}
|
2010s
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|-
! width="4%" rowspan="2"| Season
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Individual
! width="16%" colspan="3"| Team vs Opponents
|-
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|APG
! width="8%"|PPG
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
! width="8%"|RPG
! width="8%"|FG%
Field goal percentage
Field goal percentage in basketball is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. Three-point field goals are included in this percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes...
|-
| 2010
2010 Connecticut Sun season
The 2010 WNBA season is the 12th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 8th in Connecticut.-Dispersal draft:...
| T. Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
(15.5)
| T. Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
(11.7)
| R. Montgomery
Renee Montgomery
Renee Danielle Montgomery is an American basketball player who won a national championship with the UConn Huskies in 2009. She currently plays for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-High school:...
(4.1)
| 81.0 vs 79.9
| 36.5 vs 35.6
| .427 vs .433
|-
| 2011
2011 Connecticut Sun season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 13th season for the Connecticut Sun franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is their 9th in Connecticut.-WNBA Draft:The following are the Sun's selections in the 2011 WNBA Draft.-Transaction log:...
| T. Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
(17.6)
| T. Charles
Tina Charles (basketball)
Tina Charles is an American women's basketball player with the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association and the Galatasaray Medical Park of the TWBL. Originally from Jamaica, New York, Charles was drafted 1st overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft...
(11.0)
| R. Montgomery
Renee Montgomery
Renee Danielle Montgomery is an American basketball player who won a national championship with the UConn Huskies in 2009. She currently plays for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.-High school:...
(4.9)
| 80.1 vs 76.8
| 35.6 vs 36.5
| .424 vs .429
|}
|}
Media coverage
Currently, some Connecticut Sun games are broadcast on Comcast Sports Net New England (CSN-NE), which is a local television station for the region of New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. More often than not, NBA TV
NBA TV
NBA TV is a television specialty channel that is dedicated to showcasing the sport of basketball in the United States. The network is financially backed by the National Basketball Association , which also uses NBA TV as a way of advertising their out of market package NBA League Pass, and partner...
will pick up the feed from the local broadcast, which are shown nationally. Broadcasters for the Sun games on CSN-NE are Mike Gorman
Mike Gorman
Michael "Mike" Gorman is a television play-by-play commentator for the Boston Celtics basketball team, currently broadcasting on the Comcast Sportsnet New England or the New England Sports Network cable channel...
and Meghan Culmo, Brian Scalabrine
Brian Scalabrine
Brian David Scalabrine is an American professional basketball power forward who plays for the Italian club Benetton Treviso. Raised in Enumclaw, Washington, Scalabrine attended the University of Southern California after transferring from Highline Community College...
or Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
. Prior to the 2010 season, the Sun had a deal with WCTX
WCTX
WCTX is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for the state of Connecticut that is licensed to New Haven. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 39 from a transmitter in Hamden. Owned by the LIN TV Corporation, the station is sister to ABC affiliate WTNH and the two...
(MyTV9), a station for the state of Connecticut. In addition to Mike Gorman
Mike Gorman
Michael "Mike" Gorman is a television play-by-play commentator for the Boston Celtics basketball team, currently broadcasting on the Comcast Sportsnet New England or the New England Sports Network cable channel...
and Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Lobo
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
, broadcasters in the past have included: Bob Heussler
Bob Heussler
Bob Heussler , currently resides in Hamden, Connecticut and is a radio sports broadcaster at WFAN in New York where he has made regular appearances on the Mike and the Mad Dog and Mike'd Up programs since 1993. He currently is the radio play-by-play voice of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun...
, Leah Secondo and Kara Wolters
Kara Wolters
Kara Wolters is a retired American collegiate and professional basketball player.Standing at six feet and seven inches , she was appropriately nicknamed "Big Girl". She is the tallest player in University of Connecticut women's basketball history and one of the tallest women to ever play in the WNBA...
.
Audio broadcasts for all home games are done by Bob Heussler
Bob Heussler
Bob Heussler , currently resides in Hamden, Connecticut and is a radio sports broadcaster at WFAN in New York where he has made regular appearances on the Mike and the Mad Dog and Mike'd Up programs since 1993. He currently is the radio play-by-play voice of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun...
, which (excluding blackout games, which are available on ESPN3.com) are streamed to the WNBA LiveAccess game feeds on the league website. Furthermore, some Sun games are broadcast nationally on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, ESPN2 and ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
. The WNBA has reached an eight year agreement with ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, which will pay right fees to the Sun, as well as other teams in the league.
Regular season attendance
- A sellout for a basketball game at TD Waterhouse CentreTD Waterhouse CentreAmway Arena is a defunct indoor arena in Orlando, Florida. It is part of the Orlando Centroplex, a sports and entertainment complex located in Downtown Orlando...
(Orlando) is 17,248. - A sellout for a basketball game at Mohegan Sun ArenaMohegan Sun ArenaThe Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
(Connecticut, thru 2010) is 9,518. - A sellout for a basketball game at Mohegan Sun ArenaMohegan Sun ArenaThe Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
(Connecticut, 2011–) is 9,323.
{| class="toccolours" width=70% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan=2 width=70% style="background:#092C57; color:#FFC322" | Regular season all-time attendance
|- valign="top"
|
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"
|- align="center" style="background:#4682B4;color:#FFFFFF;"
|colspan=8|Orlando Miracle
|- align="center" style="background:#eee;color:#000000;"
|width=75 |Year
|width=150|Average
|width=100|High
|width=100|Low
|width=75 |Sellouts
|width=150|Total for year
|width=150|WNBA game average
|- align="center"
| 1999 || 9,801 (6th) || 15,442 || 7,028 || 0 || 156,818 || 10,207
|- align="center"
| 2000 || 7,363 (11th) || 9,464 || 5,731 || 0 || 117,810 || 9,074
|- align="center"
| 2001 || 7,430 (11th) || 11,903 || 5,363 || 0 || 118,874 || 9,105
|- align="center"
| 2002 || 7,115 (13th) || 13,111 || 4,323 || 0 || 113,837 || 9,228
|- align="center" style="background:#14345B;color:#ffc322;"
|colspan=8|Connecticut Sun
|- align="center" style="background:#eee;color:#000000;"
|width=75 |Year
|width=150|Average
|width=100|High
|width=100|Low
|width=75 |Sellouts
|width=150|Total for year
|width=150|WNBA game average
|- align="center"
| 2003 || 6,025 (14th) || 9,518 || 4,038 || 2 || 102,433 || 8,826
|- align="center"
| 2004 || 6,635 (13th) || 9,518 || 3,846 || 2 || 112,803 || 8,589
|- align="center"
| 2005 || 7,156 (10th) || 9,518 || 5,596 || 2 || 121,644 || 8,172
|- align="center"
| 2006 || 7,417 (9th) || 9,518 || 6,019 || 2|| 126,096 || 7,476
|- align="center"
| 2007 || 7,970 (7th) || 9,518 || 6,154 || 1 || 135,490 || 7,819
|- align="center"
| 2008 || 7,644 (11th) || 9,518 || 5,245 || 3 || 129,951 || 7,948
|- align="center"
| 2009 || 6,794 (12th) || 9,047 || 5,675 || 0 || 115,496 || 8,029
|- align="center"
| 2010 || 7,486 (9th) || 9,518 || 6,292 || 1 || 127,331 || 7,834
|- align="center"
| 2011 || 7,056 (9th) || 9,323 || 6,096 || 1 || 119,951 || 7,954
|}
Franchise leaders
- Games played: Nykesha Sales (278)
- Consecutive games played: Nykesha Sales (248, 6/10/99-7/6/06)
- Minutes: Nykesha Sales (8,762)
- Minutes per game: Shannon Johnson (34.0)
- Points: Nykesha Sales (3,955)
- Points per game: Katie Douglas (17.0)
- Consecutive games scoring: Taj McWilliams Franklin (243, 6/10/99-8/13/06)
- Field goal % (minimum 100): Margo Dydek (462–1,032, .503)
- Three point % (minimum 50): Jamie Carey (84–207, .406)
- Free throw % (minimum 100): Lindsay Whalen (576–717, .803)
- Rebounds: Taj McWilliams-Franklin (1,814)
- Rebounds per game: Tina Charles (11.3)
- Assists: Lindsay Whalen (808)
- Assists per game: Lindsay Whalen (5.0)
- Steals: Nykesha Sales (490)
- Steals per game: Nykesha Sales (1.76)
- Blocks: Taj McWilliams-Franklin (267)
- Blocks per game: Margo Dydek (2.26)
- Personal fouls: Nykesha Sales (798)
- Turnovers: Nykesha Sales (578)
Draft picks
- 1999 Expansion Draft: Andrea Congreaves (2), Kisha Ford (4), Yolanda Moore (6), Adrienne Johnson (8)
- 1999: Tari Phillips (8), Sheri Sam (20), Taj McWilliams-Franklin (32), Carla McGhee (44), Elaine Powell (50)
- 2000: Cintia dos Santos (4), Jannon Roland (20), Shawnetta Stewart (36), Romona Hanzova (52)
- 2001: Katie Douglas (10), Brooke Wyckoff (26), Jaclyn Johnson (42), Anne Thorius (58)
- 2002: Davalyn Cunningham (23), Saundra Jackson (39), Tomeka Brown (55)
- 2003 MiamiMiami SolThe Miami Sol was a women's basketball team which joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000. They played their games at American Airlines Arena. The team folded after the 2002 season because of financial problems...
/PortlandPortland FireThe Portland Fire joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000 as the counterpart to the NBA team the Portland Trail Blazers. They played their games at Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The team folded after the 2002 season, after just three seasons in the league...
Dispersal Draft: Debbie Black (6) - 2003: Courtney Coleman (13), Lindsey Wilson (34)
- 2004 ClevelandCleveland RockersThis article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
Dispersal Draft: selection traded - 2004: Lindsay Whalen (4), Jessica Brungo (16), Ugo Oha (24), Candace Futrell (29)
- 2005: Katie Feenstra (8), Erin Phillips (21), Megan Mahoney (34)
- 2006: Debbie Merrill (28), Marita Payne (42)
- 2007 CharlotteCharlotte StingThe Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
Dispersal Draft: selection waived - 2007: Kamesha Hairston (12), Sandrine Gruda (13), Cori Chambers (26), Kiera Hardy (39)
- 2008: Amber Holt (9), Ketia Swanier (12), Jolene Anderson (23), Lauren Ervin (37)
- 2009 HoustonHouston CometsThe Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
Dispersal Draft: selection waived - 2009: Chante Black (10), Lyndra Littles (17), Alba Torrens (36)
- 2010 SacramentoSacramento MonarchsThe Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
Dispersal Draft: DeMya Walker (3) - 2010: Tina Charles (1), Danielle McCray (7), Allison Hightower (15), Johannah Leedham (27)
- 2011: Sydney Colson (16), Adrienne Johnson (28)
Trades
- April 18, 2002: The Miracle acquired Clarisse Machanguana from the Charlotte Sting in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
- July 8, 2002: The Miracle acquired Wendy Palmer from the Detroit Shock in exchange for Elaine Powell.
- February 14, 2003: The Sun acquired the Rebecca Lobo from the Houston Comets for a second round pick in the 2003 Draft.
- January 6, 2004: The Sun acquired the fourth, 16th, and 29th picks in the 2004 Draft from the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Shannon Johnson, the 21st and the 34th picks in the 2004 Draft.
- March 25, 2004: The Sun acquired Asjha Jones from the Washington Mystics in exchange for the eighth pick in the 2004 Draft in a three-way trade that also involved the Phoenix Mercury.
- April 16, 2005: The Sun acquired Margo Dydek from the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Katie Feenstra and a first-round pick in the 2006 Draft.
- February 21, 2007: The Sun traded Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Erika DeSouza and a first-round pick in the 2007 Draft.
- February 19, 2008: The Sun traded Katie Douglas to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Tamika Whitmore, the rights to Jessica Foley and a first-round pick in the 2008 Draft.
- March 6, 2008: The Sun traded Megan Mahoney to the Houston Comets in exchange for Barbara Turner.
- March 14, 2008: The Sun traded Kristen Rasmussen to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Tamika Raymond, as well as the option to trade second-round picks in the 2009 Draft.
- January 12, 2010: The Sun traded Lindsay Whalen and the second pick in the 2010 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Renee Montgomery and the first pick in the 2010 Draft.
- April 7, 2010: The Sun traded Amber Holt and Chante Black to the Tulsa Shock in exchange for the seventh pick in the 2010 Draft and a second-round pick in the 2011 Draft.
- April 8, 2010: The Sun traded first and second-round picks in the 2011 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the draft rights to Kelsey Griffin.
- April 11, 2011: The Sun traded a third-round pick in the 2012 Draft to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for the draft rights to Tahnee Robinson.
- April 11, 2011: The Sun traded the draft rights to Sydney Colson to the New York Liberty in exchange for Kalana Greene.
All-Stars
- 1999: Shannon Johnson, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
- 2000: Shannon Johnson, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
- 2001: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
- 2002: Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
- 2003: Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
- 2004: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales, Lindsay Whalen
- 2005: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
- 2006: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales, Lindsay Whalen
- 2007: Katie Douglas, Asjha Jones
- 2008: No All-Star Game
- 2009: Asjha Jones
- 2010: Tina Charles, Renee Montgomery
- 2011: Tina Charles, Renee Montgomery
Honors and awards
- 1999 All-WNBA Second Team: Shannon Johnson
- 2000 All-WNBA Second Team: Shannon Johnson
- 2002 All-WNBA Second Team: Shannon Johnson
- 2004 Most Improved Player: Wendy Palmer-Daniel
- 2005 All-Defensive First Team: Katie Douglas
- 2006 All-Star Game MVP: Katie Douglas
- 2006 Coach of the Year: Mike Thibault
- 2006 All-Defensive First Team: Katie Douglas
- 2007 All-Defensive First Team: Katie Douglas
- 2008 Coach of the Year: Mike Thibault
- 2008 Peak Performer (Assists): Lindsay Whalen
- 2008 All-WNBA First Team: Lindsay Whalen
- 2008 All-WNBA Second Team: Asjha Jones
- 2008 All-Rookie Team: Amber Holt
- 2010 Rookie of the Year: Tina Charles
- 2010 All-WNBA Second Team: Tina Charles
- 2010 Peak Performer (Rebounds): Tina Charles
- 2010 All-Rookie Team: Tina Charles
- 2010 All-Rookie Team: Kelsey Griffin
- 2011 All-WNBA First Team: Tina Charles
- 2011 Peak Performer (Rebounds): Tina Charles
- 2011 All-Defensive Second Team: Tina Charles
External links
