The Connecticut Sun spent years teetering on the brink of a rebuild. Yet coaching changes, blockbuster trades and free agency didn’t disrupt their stay as one of the WNBA’s best teams.
That they always powered themselves on an upward trajectory was largely a credit to “The Engine.” Alyssa Thomas, the franchise’s fourth overall pick in 2014, led the Sun to six consecutive semifinal appearances and two Finals. She epitomized her gritty moniker en route to six All-Defensive teams, five All-Star appearances and the 2023 MVP runner-up.
It’s now a new era after Thomas reportedly secured a sign-and-trade to the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday.