By Tiffany Williams –
Since the announcement of front office changes and the appointment of a new head coach, the Connecticut Sun has been actively restructuring their roster in anticipation of the 2025 WNBA season.
On Sunday, February 2, the Connecticut Sun officially announced a significant trade involving multiple teams. They acquired Jacy Sheldon from the Dallas Wings, the No. 8 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft from the Indiana Fever. Additionally, the Sun brought in Rebecca Allen and Natasha Cloud, both previously with the Phoenix Mercury, as part of a comprehensive four-team trade that also involved the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever.
In this trade, the Dallas Wings received DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris from the Sun, alongside NaLyssa Smith from the Fever. They also secured the rights to Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan from the Mercury, as well as Phoenix’s No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Wings gained the rights to swap second-round picks in 2026 and third-round picks in 2027 with both Connecticut and Indiana, respectively.
The Indiana Fever acquired Sophie Cunningham and Jaelyn Brown from Phoenix and Dallas, respectively, along with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft from the Mercury. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury added Alyssa Thomas from the Sun, along with Dallas players Satou Sabally, Kalani Brown, and Sevgi Uzun.
Jacy Sheldon joins the Sun after completing her rookie season with the Dallas Wings. The 5-foot-10 point guard made a notable impact as the fifth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, contributing averages of 5.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 40 regular-season games, including 26 starts. Her standout performance came on July 5, when she scored a career-high 17 points in a thrilling 85-82 victory over the Atlanta Dream. Before her WNBA career, Sheldon was celebrated at Ohio State University, where she achieved numerous accolades, including First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and 2024, as well as being named an Associated Press Third-Team All-American in 2024.
Natasha Cloud brings her talents to the Sun after a remarkable 2024 season with the Mercury, where she showcased her skills and leadership. The 5-foot-10 point guard averaged impressive statistics, including 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists (ranking third in the league), and 1.4 steals per game. Her 263 assists set a new single-season record for the Mercury. An accomplished defender, Cloud was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team for the second time in her career in 2024, adding to her First Team honors from 2022. Prior to her time in Phoenix, Cloud had an illustrious eight-year career with the Washington Mystics, where she played a pivotal role in helping the franchise secure its first WNBA title in 2019.
On the same day, Sunday, February 2nd, the Connecticut Sun officially announced the signing of Tina Charles to a one-year contract. In accordance with team policy, specific details regarding the contract were not disclosed.
Charles is making a notable return to Connecticut after completing the 2024 season with the Atlanta Dream. The 6-foot-4 veteran center played a crucial role for the Dream, appearing in and starting all 39 regular-season games. She averaged an impressive 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, ranking her fourth in the WNBA for rebounding. The 2024 season was particularly historic for Charles; she became the all-time leading rebounder in WNBA history, surpassing the 4,000-rebound milestone, and moved into second place all-time in scoring with a total of 7,698 points. Throughout the Dream’s regular season, she demonstrated consistent scoring prowess, finishing in double figures in 34 games and achieving 21 double-doubles, the third most in the league that season and a new franchise record for Atlanta. Additionally, she set a new franchise record for rebounds in a single season with a remarkable total of 374.
Charles was originally drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by the Sun in the 2010 WNBA Draft, and over her illustrious 13-year professional career, she has built an impressive resume that includes stints with several notable teams: the New York Liberty (2014-2019), Washington Mystics (2021), Phoenix Mercury (2022), and Seattle Storm (2022). Her accolades are numerous; she was named WNBA MVP in 2012 and took home the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in her debut season in 2010. She has been recognized on various All-WNBA teams, making the First Team in 2011, 2012, and from 2015-2017, while securing a spot on the Second Team in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2021. Additionally, she earned numerous defensive honors, including selections to the All-Defensive First Team in 2017 and the All-Defensive Second Team in 2011, 2012, and 2015. Charles also holds the distinction of leading the WNBA in rebounding for four seasons (2010-2012, 2016) and in scoring for two seasons (2016, 2021).
Beyond her success in the WNBA, Charles has made a significant impact on the international stage, playing professionally in several countries, including Turkey, Poland, and China. Currently, she competes for the Turkish club Fenerbahce, where she played a pivotal role in leading the team to its first-ever FIBA Europe SuperCup Championship in 2024. Charles has represented the United States on the international scene since 2010, contributing to the US Women’s National Team’s successes as a three-time Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016, 2020) and three-time FIBA World Cup gold medalist (2010, 2014, 2018). Her collegiate career at the University of Connecticut was equally impressive; she won two NCAA National Championships, set the program record for rebounds with 1,367, and received numerous accolades, including AP Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith College Player of the Year, Big East Player of the Year, and AP First Team All-American honors.
Tina Charles in Connecticut Sun Franchise History:
– 2nd in double-doubles (80)
– 3rd in 20+ point games (45)
– 4th in blocks (192)
– 5th in total rebounds (1,410)
– 5th in offensive rebounds (476)
– 5th in defensive rebounds (934)
– 7th in field goals made (928)
– 10th in total points (2,243)
– 11th in free throws made (386)
**Tina Charles in WNBA History:**
– 1st in rebounds (4,014)
– 1st in defensive rebounds (2,885)
– 1st in double-doubles (194)
– 2nd in scoring (7,696)
– 2nd in field goals made (3,104)
– 3rd in offensive rebounds (1,129)
– 13th in blocks (409)
On Monday, February 3, the Connecticut Sun officially announced the signing of veteran guard Diamond DeShields to a one-year contract. DeShields, a dynamic player known for her offensive capabilities, joins the Sun after a season with the Chicago Sky in 2024. She was initially selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Sky and has demonstrated her versatility throughout her career, returning to Chicago after a stint with the Phoenix Mercury in 2022. Over her six-season career, which includes 175 games in the WNBA, DeShields has established herself as a reliable contributor, averaging 11.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Notably, she played a crucial role in leading the Sky to their first WNBA Championship in 2021 and has received several accolades, including WNBA All-Rookie Team honors (2018), All-WNBA Second Team recognition (2019), and a WNBA All-Star selection (2019).
A native of Norcross, Georgia, DeShields started her collegiate journey at the University of North Carolina, where she played one season before transferring to the University of Tennessee. During her time in college, she garnered an impressive array of accolades, including First Team All-SEC (2017), First Team All-ACC (2014), and both USBWA National Freshman of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2014. In addition to her WNBA career, DeShields has found success playing overseas in countries such as Turkey, where she suited up for CBK Mersin, and Italy, with Berretta Famila Schio.
On Tuesday, February 4, the Connecticut Sun further bolstered their roster by announcing that forwards Mya Hollingshed and Robyn Parks have signed training camp contracts, as confirmed by Sun General Manager Morgan Tuck.
Hollingshed, a promising talent, was selected 8th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft out of the University of Colorado by the Las Vegas Aces. Despite appearing in only one preseason contest before being waived, she continued to pursue her professional career, participating in training camp with the Phoenix Mercury prior to the 2024 season. Her collegiate performance was notable, as she earned All Pac-12 honors in both 2021 and 2022. Currently, the 6-3 forward is playing overseas with the Turkish club Bodrum, where she’s making a significant impact, averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
Parks comes to the Sun after completing her debut WNBA season with the Chicago Sky in 2023. Standing at 6-1, she signed with Chicago as a free agent and made her mark by participating in 37 games, where she averaged 3.9 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest. Although Parks went undrafted following her time at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2014, she has carved out a successful career overseas. She is currently playing with the Turkish club Emlak Konut, where her performance includes impressive averages of 14.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
Also on February 4, the Connecticut Sun announced the acquisition of guard Lindsay Allen and the rights to forward Nikolina Milić from the Chicago Sky in exchange for Rebecca Allen.
Allen joins the Sun after an active 2024 season with the Chicago Sky, where the 5-8 guard showcased her skills in all 40 regular-season games, starting in 28 of those and contributing averages of 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Originally drafted 14th overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty, Allen has had a varied career, spending time with teams such as the Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever, and Minnesota Lynx over her seven seasons in the league. Complementing her WNBA journey, Allen has also found success overseas, playing in several countries, including Australia, Poland, and Turkey, where she is currently with Botąs SK, averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.
Nikolina Milić, who was signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2022 regular season, played two seasons with the Lynx before being traded to the Chicago Sky in April 2024. Throughout her 70 career games with Minnesota, she averaged 5.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Currently, the 6-3 forward is competing with Turkish club Fenerbahce, where she is producing solid averages of 12.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per contest in Turkish League competition.
In addition to these roster moves, the Connecticut Sun announced the appointment of Roneeka Hodges as the organization’s newest assistant coach. Hodges will join Head Coach Rachid Meziane on the sidelines for the upcoming 2025 season, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.
Hodges comes to Connecticut with a robust background in basketball, having most recently served as an assistant coach for the New York Liberty from 2022 to 2024. During her tenure, she played an instrumental role in guiding the Liberty to their first WNBA Championship title in 2024, as well as facilitating back-to-back regular seasons with over 30 wins in 2023 and 2024. Prior to her time with the Liberty, she coached at the collegiate level as an assistant with Colgate University (2021-2022) and Old Dominion University (2020-2021). Hodges also contributed as a special advisor to the LSU women’s basketball program during the 2019-20 season.
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Hodges brings 11 years of WNBA playing experience to her coaching role. She was selected 15th overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Houston Comets, where she spent four successful seasons before being claimed by the Minnesota Lynx in the dispersal draft before the 2009 season. Over her career, Hodges has played in 327 WNBA games (including both regular and postseason contests), with stops at several notable franchises, including the San Antonio Silver Stars, Indiana Fever, Tulsa Shock, and Atlanta Dream. Her collegiate career was equally impressive, as she played for LSU and Florida State, solidifying her reputation as a well-rounded basketball expert.