By Stephen Ur –
The Connecticut Sun announced that Rennia Davis, Kianna Smith and Sydney Wiese have signed training camp contracts extended by Sun General Manager Darius Taylor.
Davis was originally drafted ninth overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx out of the University of Tennessee. She would miss her entire rookie season after surffering a stress fracture in her left foot. She made her WNBA debut during the 2022 season in one contest with the Lynx before being waived by the team.
Davis signed with the Indiana Fever in July 2022, appearing in seven games for them. The forward averaged 17.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists during her senior campaign at Tennessee, earning her 2020-21 All-SEC First Team honors. She is currently playing overseas with Polish club, Gydnia, where she is averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in Polish League play.
“Rennia brings size, athleticism and three-point shooting,” said Taylor. “We are excited about her growth and potential to help our team.”
The Sun also acquired the rights to Kianna Smith through a trade with the Los Angeles Sparks on Jan. 16, 2023. Smith missed the 2023 season due to a knee injury she sustained while playing overseas in South Korea.
She was drafted 16th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2022 WNBA Draft out of the University of Louisville. Smith played in 11 games her freshman year, averaging 2.6 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.4 steals in 10.2 minutes per game.
“Kianna has recovered from her injury last season and continues to show her growth playing overseas,” said Taylor. “We are excited about the potential she has ahead of her.”
Wiese was drafted 11th overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks out of Oregon State. She played four seasons with the Sparks from 2017-2020 and one season with the Washington Mystics in 2021.
She sat out the 2022 season while rehabbing a knee injury and signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury prior to the 2023 season, but was ultimately waived. Over 117 contests, the Arizona native has averaged 4.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. During the WNBA off seasons, Wiese has played overseas in Australia, Israel, Spain and Italy and is currently playing in Turkey with Emlak Konut, where she is averaging 12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in Turkish League play.
“Sydney is someone we have been intrigued by these last two years,” said Taylor. “Her versatility allows her to play all of the guard positions and she’s an excellent three-point shooter. We look forward to seeing how she can make us better.”
The Sun tip off the 2024 season at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday, May 14 against the Indiana Fever. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.