By Tiffany Williams –
Connecticut Sun on Saturday announced two new additions to the team. First, they announced Astou Ndour-Fall signed with the team on a one-year deal and later announced they acquired seven-year veteran point guard Moriah Jefferson in a sign-and-trade deal with the Phoenix Mercury.
In exchange for Jefferson, Phoenix Mercury will get Rebecca Allen from the Sun.
“We thank Bec for her contributions this past season,” remarked Sun General Manager Darius Taylor. “She made such a big impact during her time in Connecticut and we wish her the best in her next chapter.”
Ndour-Fall, originally drafted 16th overall by the San Antonio Stars in 2014 out of Gran Canaria, Spain, most recently played with the Chicago Sky during the 2021 WNBA season, winning a WNBA Championship. She played in Chicago during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, with the San Antonio Stars in 2014 and 2016, and with the Dallas Wings in 2020.
“Astou brings an all-around dimension to our team with her length, experience and ability to stretch the floor,” said Taylor. “We look forward to her coming back to the W in a Connecticut Sun uniform and providing depth in the paint.”
Ndour-Fall was born in Dakar, Senegal, but moved to Spain during her childhood and obtained her Spanish citizenship in 2011. She has been a member of the Spanish National Team since 2014, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2018 FIBA World Cup Ndour-Fall has found great success playing professionally in the EuroLeague and EuroCup, having played with clubs in Italy, Russia, Turkey, and Spain. Most recently, she signed with the Spanish league team, Gran Canaria, where she is averaging 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Jefferson, originally was drafted second overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA Draft and comes to Connecticut with seven seasons of league experience.
“We are excited to add Moriah to our team,” said Sun Head Coach Stephanie White. “She gives us an experienced guard that can impact the game on both ends with her speed, quickness, and playmaking ability.”
In 2023, Jefferson played for the Phoenix Mercury, where she averaged 10.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Prior to Phoenix, the 5-6 point guard played three seasons with San Antonio Stars/Las Vegas Aces, two seasons with the Dallas Wings, and one season with the Minnesota Lynx.
In 2016, Jefferson picked up WNBA All-Rookie Team honors and in 2022, she became one of just 15 players in WNBA history to record a triple-double when she recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Minnesota Lynx on June 28, 2022.
Jefferson, a Glenn Heights, Texas native, is no stranger to Connecticut, having played her collegiate career with the UConn Huskies from 2012-2016. She left UConn as a four-time NCAA National Champion, a two-time Nancy Liberman Award winner (2015, 2016), a two-time WBCA All-American (2015, 2016) and the program’s all-time leader in assists (659). Jefferson, along with senior classmates Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck, compiled a record of 151-5 through their careers at UConn, which marked the most wins by a senior class in NCAA history.
“We are overjoyed to welcome Moriah back to the Connecticut community and the Sun organization,” said Taylor. “She will have an immediate impact on the court and in the locker room.”