Connecticut Sun

The Connecticut Sun are a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. They began to play in the 2003 WNBA season. The Sun was the first WNBA franchise not to be owned by an NBA owner; the team is owned by the Mohegan Indian tribe. From 1999 to 2002, the team was known as the Orlando Miracle, playing in Orlando, Florida. Capitalizing on the popularity of women's basketball in Connecticut as a result of the success of the UConn Huskies, they had the distinction of being the only WNBA team not to share its market with an NBA team before the Seattle Supersonics moved, leaving the Storm alone in Seattle.

Franchise History

The Orlando Miracle Years (1999-2002)

The city of Orlando was granted an expansion franchise in 1999, and the Orlando Miracle would take the floor for the 1999 season. The Miracle would play their games at TD Waterhouse Centre as the sister team of the NBA Orlando Magic.

The Miracle posted respectable records in their four years of existence (1999-2002). The Miracle would make the playoffs once, in 2000, and lost in the first round against the Cleveland Rockers. In 2001, the Miracle would take a step backwards, but they hosted a very successful 2001 WNBA All-Star Game. In 2002, the Miracle would post a 16-16 (.500) record, tying for the final playoff spot with the Indiana Fever. But, the Miracle had lost the tie-breaker, so they barely missed the playoffs. Little did anyone know that the 2002 season would prove to be the Miracle's last in Orlando (See below).

Relocation to Connecticut

After the 2002 WNBA Season, the NBA sold off all of the WNBA franchises to the operators of the teams. Orlando Magic ownership was not interested in keeping the Miracle. The team would need to find other ownership or fold. No local ownership was found, so in October 2002, the Miracle announced their intentions to move out of Orlando, Florida. On January 28, 2003, The Miracle were bought by the Mohegan Native American Tribe, and it was announced that the Miracle would move immediately to Uncasville, Connecticut and change their nickname to the Sun (in reference to the Mohegan Sun casino owned by the tribe).

The Connecticut Sun (2003-Present)

The First Year in Connecticut (2003)

The Miracle would undergo a total overhaul. The team was renamed the Connecticut Sun and received new colors. The team would then acquire former University of Connecticut star Rebecca Lobo. The Sun would lose their first ever game in Connecticut, 79 to 72, to the Houston Comets. But, the Sun would have a stellar season, posting an 18-16 record, good enough to make the playoffs. In the first round, the Sun would win their first playoff series in franchise (includes the Orlando years) history, sweeping the Charlotte Sting 2-0. But, in the East finals, the Sun would be swept by the Detroit Shock, who were on their way to a championship.

Rebuilding (2004)

Head coach Mike Thibault surprised many by trading all-star point guard Shannon Johnson for the 4th pick in the WNBA Draft. With that pickm the Sun selected Minnesota Golden Gophers star Lindsay Whalen amidst rumors they would trade her to the Minnesota Lynx. However, she remained on the team as the Sun posted an 18-16 record in a terrible Eastern Conference, thus winning the #1 seed. In the first round, the Sun would defeat the Washington Mystics 2-1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun would roll on, sweeping the New York Liberty. The Sun had made it to the WNBA Finals in their second season of existence. In the Finals, their run would end, as they lost a hard-fought three-game series 2-1 to the Seattle Storm

Return to the Finals (2005)

The Sun acquired center Margo Dydek. With a dominant center, the hungry Sun would dominate the Eastern Conference, posting a 26-8 record, the best regular season record for an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history. In the playoffs, the Sun would fly to the finals, sweeping the Detroit Shock and Indiana Fever. In the 2005 WNBA Finals, the Sun were matched up against an equally dominant Sacramento Monarchs team. Also working against the Sun, Lindsay Whalen played through the series with injuries. The Sun had home-court advantage, but it would be of no use; the Sun lost the Finals for the second straight year, 3 games to 1, in the first WNBA Finals played in a best of 5 format.

The success of the franchise was rewarded in 2005, when the Sun were selected to host the annual WNBA All-Star Game. The All-Star game was arguably the most exciting in WNBA history with the two teams combining for 221 points. At the end of the game, the possessions turned into a virtual slam-dunk contest.

A Disappointing End (2006)

The Sun would match their 2005 record, and it looked like a return trip to the Finals was certain. Mike Thibault received the Coach of the Year Award, and it appeared as if no team could stop the Sun. In the playoffs, the Sun would quickly sweep the Washington Mystics. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sun were upset by one of their rivals, the Detroit Shock, 2 games to 1, on the Sun's home floor. The magnificent season was ended all too early.

The Sun Sets (2007)

The Sun stumbled out of the gate, posting a dismal 5-10 record by late June. However, the Sun would storm back into playoff contention by winning 11 of their next 13 games, to finish the regular-season at 18-16, good enough to win the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Sun would face the Indiana Fever in the first round. The Sun came into the series having won all four regular-season contests against the Fever. In Game 1, despite holding a 17-point lead in the third quarter, the Sun would allow the Fever to force the first triple-overtime game in WNBA playoff history, ending in a 93-88 victory for the Sun. However, the Fever would respond by winning the next two games and the series, including a playoff record 22-point come-from-behind win in Game 3.

Rebuilding, Part Two (2008)

The front office knew something had to be done to save the team from another disappointing finish. During the 2007-08 off-season, the Connecticut Sun made major changes to their roster in an effort to win that ever-elusive crown. The Sun made three trades, one sending Katie Douglas, the face of the franchise, to the Indiana Fever. In return, the Sun received Tamika Whitmore who would surely create a physical presence in the paint, something that the Sun had been lacking in previous years. Following that monumental trade, Nykesha Sales announced she would sit out the 2008 season due to multiple nagging injuries. 7'2" center Margo Dydek also took the season off due to her pregnancy. With three former starters missing from the Sun lineup, most sports critics and publications predicted the team to finish fourth in the East. Some even claimed the Sun would finish sixth, only ahead of the expansion Atlanta Dream.

Contrary to these predictions, the Sun started the season with an outstanding 8-1 record. Soon, however, the team found itself in a disappointing slump. The Sun went on a five-game losing streak, the worst ever for a team under Mike Thibault. The team would finish the first part of the season on a three game winning streak, posting an overall record of 16-10 going into the Olympic Break. In the playoffs, the Sun was lacking the energy needed to compete with the New York Liberty. They ultimately fell short in game three on their home floor and for the second straight year, the Sun failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

A New Look (2009)

Exceeding many expectations during the 2008 rebulding season, the Sun are looking to come back even stronger in 2009. There is no reason to beleive the Sun will not contend for playoff position. During the first six seasons the team has been in Connecticut, the Sun have tied the highest winning record of any team in the WNBA during that time period, posting a record of 127-77, translating into a winning percentage of .623. The Detroit Shock has the same exact record for those six years. That success has reflected itself in the team's attendance, which has surged from 6,025 in 2003 to 7,644 in 2008.

Current Home

The Connecticut Sun currently play in the Mohegan Sun Arena. The Arena is located at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Arena has been recognized as one of the best sports and entertainment venues in the country. Compared to other arenas played at by teams in the WNBA, Mohegan Sun Arena is small. The maximum capacity in the entire arena (lower and upper levels) for a basketball game is 9,518. The Arena is known for its brightness and excellent acoustics.

The Mohegan Sun Arena is located in the middle of the mall area of the Mohegan Sun Casino. Due to this placement, Sun fans take advantage of the restaurants and shops in the casino before and after games. Frequently, Sun and opposing players can be found eating in restaurants after games. Opposing teams stay in the hotel at the casino and are often seen walking from the arena to the lobby.

Uniforms

• 2008 - Present: For home games, white with word "Connecticut" printed vertically on the sides and Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with word "Sun" printed vertically on the sides and gold "Connecticut" text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
• 2007: For home games, white with images of basic suns on the sides and Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with images of basic suns on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
• 2004 - 2006: For home games, white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with sun red with gold trim on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
• 2003: For home games, white with sun red on the sides and red Sun logo text on the chest. For away games, pure red with gold trim on the sides and gold Sun logo text on the chest. The Sun logo is on the shorts.
• 1999 - 2002: For home games, white with blue on the sides and shoulders and white Miracle logo text on the chest. For away games, blue with white on the sides and white Miracle logo text on the chest. The Miracle logo is on the shorts.

Season-by-season records

|- |colspan="6" align=center bgcolor="#054EA4" | Orlando Miracle |- |1999 || 15 || 17 || .469 || || |- |2000 || 16 || 16 || .500 || Lost First Round || Cleveland 2, Orlando 1 |- |2001 || 13 || 19 || .406 || || |- |2002 || 16 || 16 || .500 || || |- |colspan="6" align=center bgcolor="#000066" | Connecticut Sun |- |2003 || 18 || 16 || .529 || Won First Round
Lost Conference Finals || Connecticut 2, Charlotte 0
Detroit 2, Connecticut 0 |- |2004 || 18 || 16 || .529 || Won First Round
Won Conference Finals
Lost WNBA Finals || Connecticut 2, Washington 1
Connecticut 2, New York 0
Seattle 2, Connecticut 1 |- |2005 || 26 || 8 || .765 || Won First Round
Won Conference Finals
Lost WNBA Finals || Connecticut 2, Detroit 0
Connecticut 2, Indiana 0
Sacramento 3, Connecticut 1 |- |2006 || 26 || 8 || .765 || Won First Round
Lost Conference Finals || Connecticut 2, Washington 0
Detroit 2, Connecticut 1 |- |2007 || 18 || 16 || .529 || Lost First Round || Indiana 2, Connecticut 1 |- |2008 || 21 || 13 || .618 || Lost First Round || New York 2, Connecticut 1 |- |Totals || 187 || 145 || .563 || || |- |Playoffs || 18 || 16 || .529 || || |} Stats updated September 22 2008

Players

Current Roster

Hall of Famers

none

Retired Numbers

none

Former Players

Playing in at least 25 games

• Tawona Alhaleem 2001
• Jolene Anderson 2008
• Debbie Black 2003-2004, assistant coach at Ohio State University
• Jessica Brungo 2004-2006
• Andrea Congreaves 1999
• Jennifer Derevjanik 2004-2005, now a member of the Phoenix Mercury
• Erika DeSouza 2007, now a member of the Atlanta Dream
• Cintia dos Santos 2000-2002
• Katie Douglas 2001-2007, now a member of the Indiana Fever
• Margo Dydek 2005-2007, now a member of the Los Angeles Sparks
• Jessie Hicks 2000-2003
• Adrienne Johnson 1999-2003
• Shannon Johnson 1999-2003, now a member of the Houston Comets
• Rebecca Lobo 2003, now a sideline reporter for ESPN
• Clarisse Machanguana 2002

• Megan Mahoney 2006-2007
• Tiffany McCain 2000-2002
• Carla McGhee 1999-2002, now a Director of Player Personnel for the WNBA front office
• Taj McWilliams-Franklin 1999-2006, now a member of the Detroit Shock
• Wendy Palmer-Daniel 2002-2004
• Tari Phillips 1999
• Elaine Powell 1999-2002, now a member of the Detroit Shock
• Kristen Rasmussen, now a member of the Minnesota Lynx
• Nykesha Sales 1999-2007, now taking a hiatus from the game
• Sheri Sam 1999, now a member of the Detroit Shock
• Tora Suber 1999
• Laura Summerton 2005-2006
• Le'Coe Willingham 2004-2007, now a member of the Phoenix Mercury
• Brooke Wyckoff 2001-2005, now a member of the Chicago Sky

Coaches

Head Coaches:

• Carolyn Peck (1999-2001), now a basketball analyst at ESPN
• Dee Brown (2002)
• Mike Thibault (2003-Present)

Assistant Coaches:

• Rick Stukes, Charlene Thomas-Swinson (1999-2001)
• Vonn Read, Valerie Still (2002)
• Scott Hawk, Bernadette Mattox (2003-Present)

Media Coverage

During the 2008 season, select Connecticut Sun games will be broadcast on WCTX (MyTV9). Eight games throughout the season (four home, four away) were selected to be broadcast. More often than not, NBA TV will pick up the feed from the local broadcast. Broadcasters for Connecticut Sun games include: Bob Heussler, Mike Gorman, Rebecca Lobo, Leah Secondo, and Kara Wolters. The Connecticut Sun have reached a multi-year agreement with WCTX (MyTV9).

Some games are also broadcast nationally. Three games were scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2 and three games were scheduled to be broadcast on ABC.

Trivia

• In 2006, all five starters for the Connecticut Sun were named to the WNBA Eastern Conference All-Star team: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales, and Lindsay Whalen. This feat had never before been achieved in WNBA history.
• The broadcaster for the Connecticut Sun is Bob Heussler, who also works at WFAN.
• All members of the Connecticut Sun organization are considered employees of the casino and as such are unable to partake in any of the games of chance offered there.

All-Time Notes

Draft Picks

Current WNBA players are in italics.

• 1999 Expansion Draft: Andrea Congreaves (2), Kisha Ford (4), Yolanda Moore (6), Adrienne Johnson (8)
• 1999 WNBA Draft: Tari Phillips (8), Sheri Sam (20), Taj McWilliams-Franklin (32), Carla McGhee (44), Elaine Powell (50)
• 2000 WNBA Draft: Cintia dos Santos (4), Jannon Roland (20), Shawnetta Stewart (36), Romona Hanzova (52)
• 2001 WNBA Draft: Katie Douglas (10), Brooke Wyckoff (26), Jaclyn Johnson (42), Anne Thorius (58)
• 2002 WNBA Draft: Davalyn Cunningham (23), Saundra Jackson (39), Tomeka Brown (55)
• 2003 Dispersal Draft: Debbie Black (6)
• 2003 WNBA Draft: Courtney Coleman (13), Lindsey Wilson (34)
• 2004 WNBA Draft: Lindsay Whalen (4), Jessica Brungo (16), Ugo Oha (24), Candace Futrell (29)
• 2005 WNBA Draft: Katie Feenstra (8), Erin Phillips (21), Megan Mahoney (34)
• 2006 WNBA Draft: Debbie Merrill (28), Marita Payne (42)
• 2007 WNBA Draft: Kamesha Hairston (12), Sandrine Gruda (13), Cori Chambers (26), Kiera Hardy (39)
• 2008 WNBA Draft: Amber Holt (9), Ketia Swanier (12), Jolene Anderson (23), Lauren Ervin (37)

Trades

• April 18, 2002: The Miracle acquire Clarisse Machanguana from the Charlotte Sting for the Miracle's first-round pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft.
• July 8, 2002: The Miracle acquire Wendy Palmer from the Detroit Shock for Elaine Powell.
• February 14, 2003: The Sun acquire Rebecca Lobo from the Houston Comets for the Sun's second round pick in the 2003 WNBA Draft.
• January 6, 2004: The Sun trade four-time WNBA All Star point guard Shannon Johnson along with their second- and third-round picks in the 2004 WNBA Draft to the San Antonio Silver Stars for the Stars' first-, second-, and third-round picks. The Sun used the 4th pick to select Lindsay Whalen.
• March 25, 2004: The Sun acquire Asjha Jones from the Washington Mystics for the eighth pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft in a three-way trade that also involves the Phoenix Mercury.
• April 16, 2005: The Sun acquire Margo Dydek from the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Katie Feenstra and the Sun's first-round pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft.
• February 21, 2007: The Sun trade five-time All Star Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Erika DeSouza and the Sparks' first-round pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft.
• February 19, 2008: The Sun trade Katie Douglas to the Indiana Fever for Tamika Whitmore, the rights to guard Jessica Foley and the Fever's first-round pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft.
• March 6, 2008: The Sun trade Megan Mahoney to the Houston Comets for Barbara Turner.
• March 14, 2008: The Sun trade Kristen Rasmussen to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Tamika Raymond as well as the option to trade second-round picks in the 2009 WNBA Draft.

All-Stars

• 1999: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
• 2000: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
• 2001: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
• 2002: Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
• 2003: Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales
• 2004: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales, Lindsay Whalen
• 2005: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales
• 2006: Katie Douglas, Margo Dydek, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Nykesha Sales, Lindsay Whalen
• 2007: Katie Douglas, Asjha Jones
• 2008: No All-Star Game

Honors and Awards

• 2004 Most Improved Player: Wendy Palmer-Daniel
• 2005 All-Defensive First Team Member: Katie Douglas
• 2006 All-Star Game MVP: Katie Douglas
• 2006 Coach of the Year: Mike Thibault
• 2006 All-Defensive First Team Member: Katie Douglas
• 2007 All-Defensive First Team Member: Katie Douglas
• 2008 Coach of the Year: Mike Thibault
• 2008 Peak Performer (Assists): Lindsay Whalen

Attendance

Year	Average Per Game	High	Low	Total for Year	WNBA Game Average
2003	6,025	sellout	4,038	102,433	8,826
2004	6,707	sellout	3,846	114,017	8,589
2005	7,173	sellout	5,596	121,944	8,172
2006	7,417	sellout	6,019	126,096	7,476
2007	7,971	sellout	6,154	135,490	7,739
2008	7,644	sellout	5,245	129,951	7,948

External links

• Official CT Announcement Transcript

References