The Connecticut Sun finished the season with the second-best record in the WNBA at 23-11. Connecticut made it to the WNBA Finals but lost to the Washington Mystics in five games. It was the Sun first trip to the finals since 2005 win they lost to the Sacramento Monarchs. The Sun had a lot of players on their team that helped them make the WNBA Finals.
Jonquel Jones
Jonquel Jones made the WNBA All-Star team and led the league in rebounding averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. She also was tied for the league lead in blocks with 2.0 per game. Jones became the focal point of the Sun offense; she averaged 14.6 points per game on 44% shooting from the field. Another accolade for Jones was she made the WNBA All-Defensive First team. It was a fantastic year for Jones; it will be interesting to see the jump she makes next season.
Courtney Williams
Courtney Williams had a breakout season; she scored 20 points eight times in the regular season and the playoffs. Williams averaged 13.2 points per game on 43% shooing and a career-high 45.7% from three-point land. She also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Williams is a fantastic high energy player and will improve again next season. It would in the Sun best interest to bring back Williams next season because she is a free agent.
Alyssa Thomas
Alyssa Thomas was a key player for Connecticut, she played a lot of minutes this season and did so with injuries to both her shoulders. Thomas made the All-Defensive Second Team. She averaged 11.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Thomas also dished out three assists per game, playing a little point forward. Thomas was a very physical player for Connecticut; she set the tone for the Sun on the defensive end. With two healthy shoulders next season, it will be interesting to see how her game grows.
Jasmine Thomas
Jasmine Thomas was another fantastic defender; she made her third straight All-Defensive First Team. Thomas is one of the top defensive guards in the WNBA. She also averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 36% from three.
Shekinna Stricklen
Shekinna Stricklen made 76 three-pointers on the season, which was a career-high for her. She shot 38% from the three-point line. Stricklen was the perfect floor spacer for the Sun’s post first offense; she got a lot of open looks from opposing teams having to pay attention to Jones and Thomas on the block. Stricklen was the 2019 three-point contest winner on WNBA All-Star weekend.
Going into the 2020 season, the Sun will need to sign Williams and Stricklen, both players are free agents and are players in what Connecticut likes to do. The Sun must also improve on their depth, Alyssa Thomas played a lot of minutes in the playoffs. Connecticut has the 10th and 11th picks in the draft, so it would be a good chance for them to add some depth to their team. Also, look for to develop last season rookie Natisha Hiedeman. If the Sun improve on their depth, they will be in the running for the WNBA Finals again in 2020.
