By Tiffany Williams –
With New York City once again serving as a vibrant backdrop for the much-anticipated 2025 WNBA Draft, the top 16 prospects gathered at The Shed in Hudson Yards, their hearts pounding with excitement as they awaited the call that could change their lives forever. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the unmistakable energy of potential—the room buzzed with the laughter and chatter of young athletes reveling in the moment, each dressed in their most stylish and stunning draft day outfits that showcased their unique personalities and flair.
Meanwhile, six stories above, in the bustling media workroom, reporters from Connecticut and Massachusetts sat on the edge of their seats, eager to discover who the Connecticut Sun would choose with their seventh and eighth picks. Enhancing the night’s excitement was the dynamic presence of Alexandra Maund, the Sun’s Director of Brand Development and Communications, who made her way into the media room. Her warm greetings to the reporters, familiar faces she greeted regularly during the season, reflected a camaraderie that added to the night’s spirited atmosphere.
Covering the Connecticut Sun quickly teaches you that the media operates like a close-knit family of distant cousins. Despite the geographical and professional distances, their bond over the coverage of the Sun’s players is strong and meaningful. Central to maintaining this connection are Alexandra Maund and Caroline O’Keefe, who infuse a lively rhythm into the process, much like two sisters who bring a special kind of jazz to every interaction.
In the media workroom, five Connecticut Sun reporters sat between two tables, their anticipation palpable as they waited eagerly to learn which promising talents would soon don the Sun’s colors.
When the moment arrived, the Connecticut Sun made a choice with their seventh pick, selecting the formidable Aneesah Morrow. Shortly thereafter, with their eighth pick, they chose the talented Saniya Rivers.
Aneesah Morrow, born on February 2, 2003, in the heart of Chicago’s South Side, grew up in a household where sports were not just a pastime but a way of life. Basketball captured her heart early on, fueling her passion and propelling her toward Simeon Career Academy, a renowned high school with a rich athletic tradition. Aneesah attributes her tenacity and fierce competitive spirit to her upbringing in a challenging environment that demanded resilience and determination.
Athleticism runs in Aneesah’s family; her father, Edward Morrow, was a standout linebacker at the University of Nebraska, while her mother, Nafeesah Morrow, made her mark as an all-conference forward for the Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s basketball team. Adding to this legacy, her grandmother also played a season of college basketball when the women’s game was played under very different conditions. The influence of these powerful women shaped not only Aneesah’s love for basketball but also instilled in her the desire to excel.
Under the bright lights of Simeon Career Academy, Aneesah led her team to its first-ever state championship in 2020—a historic achievement that cemented her status as one of the nation’s elite high school players. During her final season, she delivered breathtaking performances, averaging a staggering 28.4 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
But growing up in Chicago’s South Side, Aneesah was no stranger to the elevated crime rates, notably violent offenses, and gang activity contributing to an atmosphere where violence looms large in the lives of many residents. This reality shapes the community’s daily experience, instilling a pervasive sense of insecurity and concern.
When asked about growing up in Chicago’s South Side, and some of the struggles she had to overcome that made her stronger for this moment in her life, Aneesah said, “Honestly, I’ve been in the crossfire before. I’ve had to see people take their last breath. Running outside didn’t feel as safe. My parents kind of had to shelter me a little bit more just because of the violence. And they were able to move us into a better neighborhood. So this process for me is kind of crazy. And I held my tears in last night, but I let them out. Because some days it’s not just about basketball. It’s about simply being a human and wanting to see another day. And I know when I was younger, I had no control of that. You just think you’re outside playing double dutch and someone’s crossfire. And you have to duck down and you can think like at that moment, I could have lost my life. But God is watching over me and he’s taking care of me. And the sacrifices that my parents made to put me in a better situation. Why not be grateful and put the work in for an opportunity that I received.”
But like Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Jennifer Hudson. Lupe Fiasco and Chance the Rapper – Aneesah made it out of the South Side she grew up in, and with her focus on basketball, Aneesah’s collegiate career became a remarkable tapestry of accomplishment, placing her among the best in NCAA Women’s Basketball history. Earning All-America recognition all four seasons, she finished her college journey with the second-most double-doubles ever recorded in NCAA DI history—104, making her one of only two players to achieve over the century mark. Her remarkable scoring tally of 2,852 points ranks her 25th in NCAA DI history, while her insistence on dominance on the boards saw her accumulate 1,714 rebounds, the third most in history. With an impressive track record of leading the nation in rebounding—13.8 rebounds per game as a freshman and 13.5 as a senior—Aneesah proved unstoppable.
Among the elite eight players in NCAA DI history to amass 2,500 career points and 1,500 career rebounds, she displayed extraordinary versatility and skill. Her statistics are staggering: 32 games with 20 points and 15 rebounds, six games surpassing 30 points with at least 15 rebounds, and an incredible two games with 40 points and 15 rebounds. Remarkably, she recorded at least 20 rebounds in seven games, including four exceptional 20/20 performances. Over her collegiate career, she consistently demonstrated defensive prowess, never registering fewer than 87 steals in a single season.
During her senior year, Aneesah authored one of the most remarkable seasons in LSU Women’s Basketball history, becoming the first player in the program to receive the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame’s Katrina McClain Award, recognizing her as the nation’s best power forward. Leading her team with an average of 18.7 points per game and 13.5 rebounds per game, she also notched 30 double-doubles—the second most in LSU history. Her relentless drive earned her a remarkable 485 rebounds, the fourth most in the program’s history, while achieving 20+ rebounds in four games, including two captivating 20/20 games.
Aneesah’s senior season highlighted her extraordinary skill set and tenacity; she recorded eight impressive games with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds, including a standout performance of 30 points and 19 rebounds during the Sweet 16 match against NC State. With consistent defensive capabilities, she accrued 89 steals, placing her among the best in LSU history, and maintained double-double streaks of six, seven, and an impressive eleven games. She even set a career-high with 7 assists in LSU’s second-round victory over FSU, where she also contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Saniya Rivers, the eighth overall pick by the Connecticut Sun, hails from Wilmington, North Carolina, a city famously recognized as the hometown of NBA legend Michael Jordan, who etched his legacy with the Chicago Bulls.
Growing up in a family where basketball was not just a pastime but a cherished tradition, Saniya’s passion for the game was nurtured from an early age. Her journey began with a miniature hoop gifted by her grandmother when she was just two years old, igniting a love for basketball that would shape her future.
During her high school tenure at Ashley High, Saniya not only led her team to a coveted Mideastern Conference title but also etched her name in the annals of history by surpassing 2,000 career points. Her outstanding performance earned her recognition as a Gatorade National Player of the Year, a title that underscored her exceptional talent and hard work.
Transitioning to college at NC State, Saniya continued to shine on the court, wrapping up her collegiate career with an impressive stat line of 1,118 points, 605 rebounds, 354 assists, 189 steals, and 109 blocks. This remarkable achievement made her the only player in NC State history to reach such lofty heights, showcasing her versatility and tenacity as a player.
With Aneesah and Saniya the Connecticut Sun selected two players who could help the team in its rebuild become a threat in the WNBA 2025 season.
Saniya stands out for her remarkable athleticism, characterized by her explosive speed, impressive bounce, and agile lateral quickness. As a versatile player, she not only showcases exceptional defensive skill—mastering both on-ball and off-ball defense—but also shines in her ability to create scoring opportunities through her strong transition offense and precise positional passing. Her dynamic athletic gifts will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge for opponents in Connecticut, as her swift transitions can lead to exciting fast-break opportunities that can change the momentum of the game.
Aneesah is the kind of player who captivates fans with her remarkable ability to navigate through tight spaces with agility and finesse. She is a formidable presence on the boards, dominating rebounds with an undeniable tenacity, and showcases an impressive skill set that allows her to score confidently over much larger defenders. What truly sets Aneesah apart, and what Connecticut needs, is her versatility; she seamlessly transitions between positions, whether working effectively in the low post, bringing the ball up the court, or effortlessly sinking shots from long range. Her finesse is evident in her excellent touch and body control around the rim, making her an invaluable asset to the Connecticut Sun.
Aneesha, after being selected by the Connecticut Sun on Draft night was asked the Sun going through a transitional period, and how she saw herself making an impact and fitting in on the team, and she answered, “Yes, being able to have the opportunity, take advantage of those opportunities once I get to market and put the work in and try to be a workaholic, honestly, put as much work in as I possibly can.”
When asked about being one of the most dominant rebounders, what drives her relentlessness, and how she keeps that edge every night, Aneesah replied, “It’s hard, honestly, especially being undersized, but you have to come in with a certain mindset. I set goals before every game of what I want to accomplish, and sometimes those goals might seem out of reach, but if I fall short of them, I still could have 25 and 20. That’s kind of my mindset when I go in there is to be as dominant as I can from the tip because I can’t wait until the end of the game and try to rush and try to get rebounds because I could have made an impact sooner that would have helped my team.”
Saniya Rivers after being selected by the Connecticut Sun was asked if there was any moment on Draft Day that took her by surprise that she was really going to treasure from the whole experience, and Saniya replied, “I think the whole experience is something to treasure, honestly. The whole weekend I felt absolutely blessed. I think the fact that my family is just here supporting me at the table and in the crowd is just — means the world to me. Like I said already, they’ve sacrificed so much time, money, energy, and just the fact they’re sitting here with me today and the fact that I’m talking to you guys today is so surreal.”
When asked how she felt about her and Aneesah both going to the Connecticut Sun, and her thoughts on playing with Aneesah, Saniya said, “That’s my dog. I’m so happy to be playing with her. I was literally telling people, like playing against her in the W is going to be so tough. I literally had to guard her in the Sweet 16 and I was just like, uh-uh. We’re not doing that. Just to be able to team up with her, she has that dog mentality and she’s just a great person on and off the court, a great teammate. I’ve seen her be a great teammate to others. So, I’m looking forward to playing alongside her and growing together, and we’re going to make some noise for sure. So, I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
At the WNBA Draft, Saniya Rivers made a striking impression not only with her elegant attire but also with her eye-catching purse that quickly captured the attention of social media users everywhere. The chic beige handbag, perfectly complementing her flowing beige dress, bore an audacious message scrawled in bold permanent marker: “The WNBA Been Poppin.” This was not merely a fashion statement; it was a powerful declaration of her pride and excitement showcasing her vibrant personality and unwavering confidence.
When asked on Draft Night about the bag, Saniya said, “I mean, I use it as motivation. I was just like, I’m at the WNBA Draft, I’m hoping to be a WNBA player, and just as the bag says, we’re poppin. I wanted to speak it into existence and be a part of the poppin crew, and now that I’m here, I can say that I’m truly ready to pop it. It’s crazy, shout out to Golden, she’s my designer for this whole thing, my stylist, and she had the bag on hand. I’m just like, it’s perfect, my hair is red, you’ve got the red word here and then the beige outfit. It came together perfectly.”
A day after the WNBA Draft, on Wednesday, Connecticut Sun General Manager Morgan Tuck held a press conference, a formal introduction of Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers. Tuck called Aneesah and Saniya the culmination of a pretty busy off season. She talked about how just a few months ago there was a lot of change and also a lot of uncertainty that surrounded the changes the Sun made not just with players but also a new head coach. The changes didn’t stop there. Darius Taylor, who had been the GM since 2022, became the team’s Chief Basketball Strategist and Director of Scouting, and Morgan was named the new General Manager of the Connecticut Sun. She took on the role after serving as the team’s Assistant General Manager since 2022.
When talking about the changes and the uncertainty, Tuck said, “I think something that I mentioned then that I still believe was it really was a great opportunity for us to kind of reset in a few different ways. And that was from our players, our staff, our organization as a whole, and it was quite the off season, I’ll say that. But I think being on that journey to sit here next to these two women, I think it was totally worth it, every aspect of it.”
Tuck noted how just a few months ago, when the Sun started making changes, “We didn’t have any first round draft picks, and now we get to have these two here. So again, it was definitely worth the journey that we’ve been on. As most of us know, when we talked about recently, it’s been nine years since we had multiple first round draft picks. I was maybe a little piece of that, so I remember it very fondly.”
During Tuesday’s press gaggle, Tuck raised two important questions that have been on every fan’s mind. What is it going to look like for the Sun? What is the future going to look like?
“it’s hard not to think about what our potential is and where we can reach and what we can build here in Connecticut,” Tuck said. “And obviously, I get to be here today with two of our key pieces to our future.”
Talking about Aneesah and Saniya, Tuck said, “Both of them had amazing college careers. They represented themselves, universities, their families, exceptionally well at the highest stage with the most attention that we’ve seen on women’s basketball, I think in history. So that speaks a lot to who they are as people. And when we were considering who we wanted to draft, the easy part, what they can do on the court, right? That made our decision really easy. Didn’t have to question that, but I think what really stood out when we got to talk with them is who they are as people, how their confidence, their passion, like I said, how they carry themselves and their ambition and commitment to being great in our league and willing to do the work to do that.”
For those who have had a sliver of doubt about the Connecticut Sun and their future, or just the upcoming 2025 season, Tuck may have given folks a reason to be optimistic when she said, “I think this is going to be the start of a really, really great year.”