Know All About Connecticut Sun: Roster, Owner, Coach and more
Connecticut Sun is one of the most resilient teams in the WNBA. They have consistently been making consistent playoff runs and putting forward some of the top talents in the WNBA. With a strong fanbase and rich history, they remain a dominant force in the league. Let’s dive deep into all the aspects of the team and the key factors that have made them such a big name in the WNBA world.
Connecticut Sun Overview
Connecticut Sun was known as the Orlando Miracle, a sister team to the NBA’s Orlando Magic. This was before they relocated to Connecticut in 2003. They have never won a WNBA title, but they have reached the WNBA Finals four times (2004, 2005, 2019, 2022). Despite this, they have been the longest-running WNBA team without an NBA affiliation.
Founded | 1999 |
Owner(s) | The Mohegan Indian Tribe |
Location | Uncasville, Connecticut, US |
Nickname | The Sun |
Head Coach | Richard Meziane |
Mascots | Blaze |
Arena/Stadium | Mohegan Sun Arena |
Website | sun.wnba |
Social Media (Page) | Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube and Tiktok |
Net Worth | Approx. $80 million (speculated) |
Championship/MVP | No WNBA Championship |
Popular Players | Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Brionna Jonsen and Tina Charles |
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Connecticut Sun Roster
Below is the list of players in the Connecticut Sun Roster of the current season as per ESPN:
Connecticut Sun Coach – Head Coach
Richard Menzie was appointed the new head coach of Connecticut Sun on 4 December 2024. Menzie brings immense experience from both the French women’s basketball league and international competitions. Notably, he led the Belgium Women’s National Team to their first-ever FIBA European Women’s Championship (EuroBasket) gold medal in 2023. The Sun has started a new chapter after his appointment and looks to get its hands on the first WNBA championship in 2025 under his leadership.
Connecticut Sun Assistant Coach
Roneeka Hodges joined Connecticut Sun’s coaching staff as an assistant coach in January 2025. She has previously coached for the New York Liberty, Colgate University, and Old Dominion University. Hodges also has had a decade-long WNBA playing career, which brings valuable experience to the team.
Abi Olajuwon will resume his role as an assistant coach in the 2025 season. Appointed in December 2022, she has worked directly with the players to enhance their skills, especially on the defensive end. She has previously served as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University and Texas Christian University.
Connecticut Sun Coaching Staff
The Sun’s basketball operations are overseen by General Manager Morgan Tuck, who was promoted to the role in December 2024. Tuck, a former WNBA player and UConn standout leads the team’s strategic initiatives.
The coaching staff is further supported by Darius Taylor, who serves as the Chief Basketball Strategist and Director of Scouting. Taylor’s role focuses on the evaluation of each player and strategic planning to enhance the team’s pressure handling in tough situations. Their leadership team has a combined international and proven WNBA success experience.
Connecticut Sun Owner
Connecticut Sun is the first professional sports team in North America to be owned by a Native American tribe. Owned by the Mohegan Tribe, they operate under the Mohegan Sun, which is the tribe’s casino and entertainment business.
Connecticut Sun Famous Players
Below is a comprehensive list of the famous players who have played for The Sun:
Player Name | Retired | Age | Country |
---|---|---|---|
Nykesha Sales | Yes | 48 | USA |
Margo Dydek | Yes | — | Poland |
Tina Charles | No | 36 | USA |
Katie Douglas | Yes | 45 | USA |
Asjha Jones | Yes | 44 | USA |
Jonquel Jones | No | 31 | Bahamas |
Alyssa Thomas | No | 32 | USA |
DeWanna Bonner | No | 37 | USA |
Jasmine Thomas | No | 35 | USA |
Chiney Ogwumike | No | 32 | USA/Nigeria |
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Connecticut Sun Arena
The Connecticut Sun plays their home games at Mohegan Sun Arena, located inside the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut.
- Opened: 2001
- Seating Capacity: 9,323 (for basketball games)
- Multi-Purpose Venue: Hosts concerts, MMA events, and other sporting events
- Owned by: Mohegan Tribe
- Awards: Consistently ranked as one of the best venues for live entertainment in the U.S.
Connecticut Sun Stats and Records:
Throughout its history, the Sun has reached the WNBA Finals four times (2004, 2005, 2019, and 2022). Despite this, they have yet to secure a championship title. They have consistently been strong contenders in the Eastern Conference and have often finished at or near the top of the standings. Mike Thibault has been their Head coach for the longest time(2003-2012) and they have made it to the WNBA finals two times in his era. The Sun has had its transition and struggles but it has always been a strong contender throughout its history.
Below is a summary of Connecticut Sun’s year-by-year key stats and performances:
Season | Wins | Losses | Win Percentage | Playoff Outcome | Head Coach |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost Conference Finals | Mike Thibault |
2004 | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost WNBA Finals | Mike Thibault |
2005 | 26 | 8 | .765 | Lost WNBA Finals | Mike Thibault |
2006 | 26 | 8 | .765 | Lost Conference Finals | Mike Thibault |
2007 | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost Conference Semifinals | Mike Thibault |
2008 | 21 | 13 | .618 | Lost Conference Semifinals | Mike Thibault |
2009 | 16 | 18 | .471 | Did not qualify | Mike Thibault |
2010 | 17 | 17 | .500 | Did not qualify | Mike Thibault |
2011 | 21 | 13 | .618 | Lost Conference Semifinals | Mike Thibault |
2012 | 25 | 9 | .735 | Lost Conference Finals | Mike Thibault |
2013 | 10 | 24 | .294 | Did not qualify | Anne Donovan |
2014 | 13 | 21 | .382 | Did not qualify | Anne Donovan |
2015 | 15 | 19 | .441 | Did not qualify | Anne Donovan |
2016 | 14 | 20 | .412 | Did not qualify | Curt Miller |
2017 | 21 | 13 | .656 | Lost Second Round | Curt Miller |
2018 | 21 | 13 | .656 | Lost Second Round | Curt Miller |
2019 | 23 | 11 | .676 | Lost WNBA Finals | Curt Miller |
2020 | 10 | 12 | .455 | Lost Semifinals | Curt Miller |
2021 | 26 | 6 | .813 | Lost Semifinals | Curt Miller |
2022 | 25 | 11 | .694 | Lost WNBA Finals | Curt Miller |
2023 | 27 | 13 | .675 | Lost Semifinals | Stephanie White |
2024 | 28 | 12 | .700 | Lost Semifinals | Stephanie White |
Also Read: Top 10 Greatest WNBA MVP Award Winners Of All Time
Connecticut Sun Jersey and Logo
Jersey and logo are the key to the identification of a team. The Sun’s attire has undergone various changes in the past years. Let us take a deeper look at them:
Connecticut Sun Jersey
The Connecticut Sun’s jerseys have undergone several changes while keeping their signature orange as the primary color.
- Early 2000s: Blue and orange combinations, with “Sun” across the chest.
- 2010s: Simplified designs with a modern font and increased focus on branding.
- Current (Nike Era, 2018–Present):
- Home Jersey: Bright orange with navy blue and white accents.
- Away Jersey: Navy blue with orange and white details.
- Alternate Jersey: Sometimes features white or black variants with modern patterns.
- Sponsor logos: The team has had jersey sponsors like Mohegan Sun, a key partner.
Connecticut Sun Logo
The primary logo features an orange sunburst with a bold “C” in the center which symbolizes Connecticut. The color scheme is orange, blue, yellow, and white, representing warmth, energy, and brightness respectively. Minor refinements have been made over time, but the overall identity remains consistent.
Connecticut Sun Retired Jersey
As of now, the Connecticut Sun has not officially retired any jersey numbers. The Sun has yet to establish this tradition of honoring former players by retiring jerseys.
Connecticut Sun Mascot
The mascot of the Connecticut Sun is an orange fox named Blaze. He has been the team mascot since the franchise relocated to Connecticut in 2003. Blaze is a very energetic and fun-loving character. The choice of a fox could be linked to cleverness and adaptability, qualities that are valuable in basketball.
Connecticut Sun Rivalries
Their first and foremost rivalry began with the Washington Mystics in the late 2010s when they were both contenders for the Eastern Conference. In the 2021 Playoffs, despite being favorites, the Sun was eliminated by Chicago Sky, fueling frustration. Both teams clashed multiple times in the playoffs, creating a competitive edge.
Their other rivalry is with New York Liberty, which has also been named the Geographic East Coast Rivalry. They have also had a few notable rivalries, with Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury featuring Tamika Catchings vs. Connecticut Stars and Diana Taurasi vs. Sun defenses, respectively.
Connecticut Sun Instagram
The Connecticut Sun’s official Instagram account is @connecticutsun. They regularly share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and highlights from games and events. The Sun has 106k followers and has more than 8,000 posts. They keep their fans engaged on social media and update them regularly on recent developments.
Connecticut Sun Other Social Presence
Below is a comprehensive list of other social media handles of Connecticut Sun and the content they post on them.
Platform | Handle | Content Highlights |
---|---|---|
@ConnecticutSun | Live game updates and scores, Player statistics and achievements, Team announcements and news, Fan engagement through polls and Q&A sessions | |
Connecticut Sun | Event announcements and recaps, Photo albums from games and events, Community outreach initiatives, Links to articles and press releases | |
YouTube | Connecticut Sun | Full game replays and condensed highlights, Player interviews and press conferences, Behind-the-scenes documentaries, Fan-centric content and special features |
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Who is the owner of Connecticut Sun?
The Connecticut Sun is owned by the Mohegan tribe.
How much do the Connecticut Sun players make?
The average salary a Connecticut Sun player makes ranges from $66,000 to $206,000.
Who is the most famous WNBA player from Connecticut Sun?
Alyssa Thomas is the most famous player from Connecticut Sun.
Who is the Connecticut Sun Coach?
Richard Menzie is the head coach of Connecticut Sun.
How many championships have the Connecticut Suns won?
Connecticut Sun have not won the WNBA championship yet.
How many matches have Connecticut Sun won?
The Connecticut Sun won 28 games in the 2024 WNBA season.