u/Dismal-Reason-8812

https://bsky.app/profile/itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social/post/3mlqo25mnnk2n

Could be a long night at Mohegan versus A'ja and the champs, NO BG tonight (foot). Hope ONO and Edwards can stay out of foul trouble.

https://www.sbnation.com/wnba/1113361/wnba-general-manager-survey-caitlin-clark-paige-bueckers-aja-wilson

The 15 general managers in the WNBA — the people who are the primary decision-makers on the draft, free agency, trades, and more — tackled these questions in a new WNBA survey.

(Of note, general managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel).

Sun players in bold. Kennedy Burke and Nell Angloma get most recognition.

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season?

T-1. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15%
T-1. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 15%

>> Also receiving votes: Julie Allemand (TOR); Cameron Brink (LAS); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Kennedy Burke (CON); Veronica Burton (GSV); Rhyne Howard (ATL); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Leila Lacan (CON); Jackie Young (LVA)

What was the most underrated player acquisition?

T-1. Ariel Atkins, Los Angeles – 21%
T-1. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 21%
3. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 14%

>> Also receiving votes: Pauline Astier (NYL); Monique Billings (IND); Kennedy Burke (CON); Nneka Ogwumike (LAS); Nyara Sabally (TOR); Erica Wheeler (LAS)

Which rookie was the biggest steal at where she was selected in the Draft?

T-1. Nell Angloma, Connecticut – 21%
T-1. Ta’Niya Latson, Los Angeles – 21%
3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 14%

>> Also receiving votes: Gianna Kneepkens (CON); Gabriela Jaquez (CHI); Cotie McMahon (WAS); Olivia Miles (MIN); Justine Pissott (IND); Awa Fam (SEA)

Who is the best international player in the WNBA?

1. Jonquel Jones, New York – 33%
2. Janelle Salaun, Golden State – 20%
   T-3. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13%
   T-3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13%

>> Also receiving votes: Leonie Fiebich (NYL); Leïla Lacan (CON); Awa Fam (SEA)

Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?

1. Eric Thibault, Minnesota – 36%
   T-2. Kristi Toliver, Phoenix – 18%
   T-2. Briann January, Indiana – 18%

>> Also receiving votes: Olaf Lange (TOR); Brandi Poole (ATL); Roneeka Hodges (CON)

Which player is the most athletic?

1. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 31%
2. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 14%

>> Also receiving votes: Cameron Brink (LAS); Kahleah Cooper (CHI); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); Saniya Rivers (CON); Gabby Williams (GSV); A’ja Wilson (LVA); Jackie Young, (LVA)

https://connecticutsunrisewnba.blogspot.com/2026/04/sun-83-tempo-78-still-smarting-from.html?m=1

...

What else did we learn from the Sun’s 83-78 victory north of the border Wednesday?:

 

1. Someone is going to have to run the point  - Rachid Meziane used Saniya Rivers at the point sparingly last season, and that did not work well at all Wednesday, with Rivers turning the ball over four times and going scoreless. Second in line was Charlisse Leger-Walker, the Sun’s third (18th overall) draft pick a week ago, and she also struggled, unable to lose her defender and posting five turnovers. Rookies need patience, and Rivers was probably hampered by playing with an entire new cast, but Leila Lacan can’t arrive soon enough to help that issue. 
2. The Sun should be a force on the glass - The Sun outrebounded the Tempo 35-21 ,and that was with Brittany Griner playing just 16 minutes and Aaliyah Edwards (who returned to Canada) only 17. You add in Morrow and Olivia Nelson-Ododa (and even Rivers and Lacan), and the Sun should be able to dominate rebounding totals, which could help mitigate the lack of shooting currently on the roster.
3. The rookies were a mixed bag -  Nell Angloma, like Lacan, is still in France, and the two UCLA rookies had a tough time, although Gianna Kneepkens did hit one big three in 13 minutes. But her and Leger-Walker appeared a step slow, which is understandable in their first game, but they’re not going to have much time to make the initial rotation. If Meziane goes with: Lacan, Rivers, Kennedy Burke, Edwards, and Griner to start, that means Morrow, Diamond Miller, and Nelson-Ododa will be coming off the bench along with Angloma. There’s only three more roster spots to be had, with Migna Toure and Shey Peddy (and a possible veteran guard?) still in the mix as well, so the spots are going to run out quickly, which is a shame for someone like Raegan Beers, who was the best rookie for the Sun tonight.

Player of the game:  Aneesah Morrow - Yes, some of it was in the second half against players that won’t be on the floor when the regular season starts, but Morrow’s 21 points and 7 rebounds to go with three steals can’t be ignored. How and when the Sun use her is up for debate, but she can score and rebound, two things they will definitely need.

Inside the numbers : 2 -  Number of three-pointers made by Sun players not named Kennedy Burke, with Morrow and Kneepkens finally hitting one each in the second half. Connecticut is going to have to make shots to be successful, just like last season. 

Under the radar: The Tempo played without would should be its top three guards in Brittany Sykes, Julie Allemand, and Marina Mabrey, so they had 22 turnovers as well, with Morrow getting three of the Sun’s nine steals.

Burke did well in finding her shot even though the Tempo knew it was the Sun’s biggest threat, a spot that Mabrey struggled so many times in last season. Obviously the preseason is not the regular season, but Burke is probably going to have to shoot well to make the Sun’s offense work.

Yes, we saw Morrow blow a kiss to the Toronto crowd after the game-clinching layup, and we love the passion.

Quotable:  “It was good, very good, très bien. Last year was a tough season. I don't control the future, so I cannot say if this one will be better. … We know that it's the final season in Connecticut, so we want to give our best to our fans. Give the best memories to our fans and also take some pride to be part of this, this story. Because this franchise, this organization, has a strong story." - Rachid Meziane last week in training camp

Next up: Sunday vs. New York (preseason), 5 p.m.