UNCASVILLE, Conn. — For most WNBA fans, the 2026 season marks the start of a new era, not just for the league and their franchise, but for all women’s professional sports.
But for the supporters of the Connecticut Sun, Friday’s tip-off will be bittersweet — and that feeling will be even stronger on Sunday at the Mohegan Sun Arena, as the Sun fans prepare to play their final home opener.
The Connecticut Sun will host the Seattle Storm on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the first regular-season home game of Connecticut’s ‘Sunset Season’. The Sun will tip off the season on Friday on the road against the New York Liberty at 7:30 p.m.
“I think the biggest thing about this year is just having fun,” Saniya Rivers said during training camp. “… it’s our last season here. We’re leaving next season, (so) let’s give the fans what they want (and) let’s do it for ourselves as well.
“There’s no pressure … no one expects us to win the championship, but that makes it easier on us. Let’s just go out there, have a good time and just play free. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing in training camp (and) I think it’s just going to translate into the games … I think we’re going to shock a lot of people.”
Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Morrow seek to take next step in sophomore season
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft quickly earned herself a reputation last season as one of the top perimeter defenders in the game. Rivers was consistently tasked with guarding the opponent’s best wing and did more than just hold her own. She averaged 1.5 steals per game last year, finishing tied for fourth in the league with 62 steals and the third-highest steal percentage as well (2.9).
The former NCAA champion showed plenty of promise on offense as well. Rivers averaged nearly nine points per game while shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc on 3-point attempts per game.
“I think I had a great first (season) last year, despite everything I was going through personally,” Rivers said. “Last year, I proved that I was great on the defensive end. This year, I would want to show my versatility as far as getting involved on the offensive end.
“I’m a big threat on defense; people get a little nervous when I’m in front of them. But I want to be the same thing on the opposite side of the ball. So (just) making sure that I’m staying consistent with my 3-point ball, when they start closing out and respecting my (shot), then I can attack (and) get other players involved … just looking forward to turn the page offensively, I think I’m going to have a big season this year on offense, too.”
Similarly, Sun forward Aneesah Morrow enters her second season with high expectations for herself on the floor as well. The No. 7 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft played just under 19 minutes per game in 41 games, yet still finished 13th in the league in total rebounds (282), just under seven per game. In fact, Morrow led the league last year in defensive rebound percentage (31.9) and only trailed the Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese in total rebound percentage (21.7).
Morrow’s rebounding prowess has certainly translated to the pros, but she struggled with her efficiency last season. A career-47% field goal shooter in college, Morrow shot under 38% from the field.
She spent the offseason working on her shooting, with an emphasis on expanding her shooting range. Her progress showed during her play in Athletes Unlimited in February, making 14 of 41 3-point attempts, shooting 34.1% while scoring over 17 points per game and 12 rebounds per game in just under 30 minutes.
“Going into my second year, (just) being more confident in my game, my outside shot and it shows because I’ve been working out, I’ve been in the gym,” Morrow said.
Morrow also looks forward to helping the five rookies on the Sun’s roster adjust to the WNBA, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and blocking out the noise surrounding you.
“Just being where your feet is at, being present in the moment,” Morrow said. “There’s a lot of things that we’re trying to figure out. We’re in training camp, everybody wants to make the team. You’re trying to impress the coaches and also just be all-around good teammates.
“Just be where your feet is at. Be who you are, (because) that’s the reason why you’re here.”
Brittney Griner embracing new role as mentor
As the Sun’s lone player on the roster with over 10 years of league experience, Brittney Griner is excited to share what she has learned over her storied career and guide one of the youngest rosters in the WNBA.
“I’m in my vet role now, I want to give back to the game,” Griner said. “I do want to get into coaching and all these little things were just calling out to me and I feel like I can come out here, focus on basketball and show what I need to do.
“My main goal from day one when training camp started out here — I wanted to be vocal, I wanted to help out. I wanted to (be like) before the coach has to say it, if I see it, speak on it, say it. Hold this together and be that second voice for coach and I’ve been loving it.”
The former WNBA champion acknowledged that she has not always had this outlook towards being the vocal leader of the team.
“Back in Phoenix, they (were) trying to get me to be more into that leadership role and I definitely was running from it,” Griner said. “I was just like, ‘Well, I’ll talk, I just won’t talk out loud, I’ll just go talk on the side,’ and I’ve always been like that. I’ll say something to a player on the side, not in front of everybody … (but) in the last probably two years, I’ve kind of leaned into it more.”
Griner has been open about the franchise’s sale and eventual move to her hometown of Houston next season playing a large role in the decision to sign with the Sun.
“I haven’t played in front of my family my whole career,” Griner said. “Closest was Dallas (and) San Antonio, but that was still a drive for my whole family … I haven’t been able to play in Houston, where I started my career, where everything started.
“To have that opportunity to be able to go back home, it made sense. Plus, I didn’t want to go somewhere else and then try to come (to Houston). I wanted to come beforehand, be with the organization so that I’m in it.”
Sun head coach Rachid Meziane highlighted how much of a luxury it is to have a player of Griner’s ilk mentoring his young squad on and off the court.
“When I had my interview with her and trying to convince her to come, I told her that she would have a big role on the court, but also in the locker room,” Meziane said. “And from what I know from her teammates who played with her, she’s a great leader.
“It’s exactly what I’m expecting of her — sure, she has to focus on what she’s supposed to bring on the court, but her presence around the young players is something that we value a lot.”
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