Sun Sign Thomas and Stricklen, Acquire George

By Bob Phillips

Alyssa Thomas is one of three big signings announced
by the Connecticut Sun this past week.
(Photo by Bill Harper)

UNCASVILLE—Over the past few weeks, the Connecticut Sun have come to the rescue of state sport fans tiring of this seemingly never-ending winter with some proof that spring is, indeed, around the corner with several moves in advance of the 2018 WNBA season. On Monday, the Sun announced they have signed star forward Alyssa Thomas to a multi-year deal. Thomas, the former All-American and first-round draft pick became a WNBA All-Star for the first time last season, average a career-high 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. In addition, Thomas scored in double digits 27 times—including five double-doubles. She led the Sun with single-season career-highs of 147 assists, 52 steals and 188 made free throws, and established a new team single-season standard with 225 rebounds.

“I’m excited to continue my career with the Sun and build on what we started last season,” said the four-year veteran out of Maryland, where she as a three-time ACC Player of the Year. “Our fans and the Mohegan Tribe have been incredibly supportive throughout my time here. My teammates are a special group and Curt has established a winning culture. We’re going to do everything we can to bring home a championship.”

A two-time Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Thomas tied a franchise record with seven steals at San Antonio, and set new single-game career marks with 26 points (vs. Washington), 13 rebounds (vs. Dallas), and nine assists (vs. Seattle). In addition, she had at least five assists in 20 games. Thomas closed out her sterling season with a double-double—a 20-points, 10-rebound effort in her first playoff game, an 88-83 playoff loss to the Phoenix Mercury.

Originally selected by the New York Liberty with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Thomas was dealt to Connecticut that same day in a multiple-player trade. Since then, she has appeared in 122 games for the Sun—starting 115—and has averaged 11.3 points per game. Last season, she reached several important career milestones, recording her 1,300th career point, 700th rebound, 300th assist and 150th steal.

“Alyssa emerged as a WNBA All-Star and one of the most talented facilitating forwards in the entire league,” said Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller. “She helped us play an exciting style at the offensive end while providing a toughness that every championship team requires. We are excited about her long-term commitment to the Sun, and look forward to building on the momentum gained during the 2017 season.”

Stricklen Re-Ups

Shekinna Stricklen (40) returns to the Sun for her
third year in Connecticut.

The signing of Thomas followed on the heels of two big moves last week. First, the Sun announced that it has re-signed free agent Shekinna Stricklen to a multi-year contract. Stricklen, now in her third season with Connecticut and her sixth in the WNBA, started 33 games for the Sun in 2017, leading team with a career-high 71 three-pointers. The 6-2 forward out of Tennessee tied a franchise record when she nailed seven treys vs. the team that drafted her, the Seattle Storm, on July 12. Over the course of the season, Stricklen had at least three made three-pointers in 12 games.

“Because I was unrestricted, I could have looked at other options,” Stricklen said. “But I really love what we are building in Connecticut, and I wanted to continue to be a part of it. We have an incredible fan-base, the support of the Mohegan Tribe and a great group of players. The chemistry I have built with my teammates is amazing. I cannot wait to start the 2018 season.”

Originally drafted by the Storm No. 2 overall in 2012, the Sun acquired Stricklen in January 2015 along with Camille Little in exchange for former UConn star Renee Montgomery as well as the No. 3 and 15 overall picks in the 2015 draft. After not starting a single game in 2015 or 2016, Stricklen was a member of the Sun starting five in 29 of the team’s 34 games last season.

“We are excited to have signed Shekinna to a multi-year deal,” continued Miller. “Shekinna is coming off a career year, and is one of only four players in the league to make over 70 three-point field goals during the 2017 season. [She had 71.] Shekinna not only provides us with one of the premier deep threat options in the league, but is also a fantastic teammate, adding to our overall culture in Connecticut.”

Aquire Aussie Center

The Sun have acquired 6-4 Australian center
Cayla George from the Phoenix Mercury.

Finally, the Sun announced that they have acquired Cayla George from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 21 overall) in the 2018 WNBA Draft.

Originally signed as a free agent by the Phoenix Mercury on Feb. 4, 2015, George appeared in 66 regular season games in 2015 and 2017. She missed the 2016 season while representing Australia in the Rio Olympics. Last season, George set a WNBA record for most defensive rebounds by a bench player with 14 in a game at Chicago on July 28. It was also the most defensive rebounds by a Mercury player in a regulation game in franchise history.

This past offseason in Australia, the 6-4 center averaged 10.5 points and 9.4 rebounds while helping the Townsville Fire win the WNBL Grand Final. She ranked fourth in the league in rebounds per game and shot 44 percent from the field.

“We are excited about the opportunity to obtain Cayla,” added Miller. “She is a versatile and veteran post player who fits our style of play. She is an excellent face-up post player who helps create spacing at the offensive end of the floor. She is an underrated defensive rebounder and provides added length to our post game. She is widely considered an outstanding teammate, so she adds to our culture in the locker room.”

Season tickets for 2018 are currently available starting at $22 per game. For more information, please visit Connecticutsun.com, or call 1-877-SUN-TIXX.

—with staff reports