Sun Training Camp Opens on Mother’s Day

The Connecticut Sun will open training camp on Mother's Day and begin
preseason play the next day. (Photo by Bill Harper)

By Bob Phillips

UNCASVILLE—The weather might not feel all that much like spring, but we actually are into the first week of May. And a sure sign that spring has sprung is WNBA basketball. In this state, that means the Connecticut Sun will open their 17th training camp since relocating to the Nutmeg State this Sunday, Mother’s Day, May 12.

Among the participants in this year’s camp will be returning players Rachel Banham, Layshia Clarendon, Bria Holmes, Brionna Jones, Shekinna Stricklen, Morgan Tuck and Courtney Williams. Tuck, the former UConn star who has a history of knee injuries dating back to high school, is healthy and ready and raring to go.

“Morgan’s had a ton of surgeries in her life,” head coach and general manager Curt Miller told the Connecticut Post. “Her commitment to fitness and nutrition has the impact of allowing her to extend her career. She knows that.”

Joining the veterans in camp will be draftees Kristine Anigwe, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman and Regan Magarity. Free Agent Emma Cannon is also slated to attend. Commitments have delayed the arrival of veterans Jasmine Thomas, Alyssa Thomas and Jonquel Jones.

The Sun will open the preseason by hosting a two-day preseason event on May 13 and 14 that will also include the Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings and New York Liberty. The preseason doubleheader tips off on May 13 starts with Dallas taking on Atlanta at 5 p.m., with the Sun hosting the Liberty at 7 p.m. On May 14, the Liberty meet the Dream at 5 p.m. and the Sun face Dallas at 7 p.m. The Sun will conclude the preseason portion of their schedule on Sunday, May 19, when they travel to Albany, NY, to take on the Liberty at the Times Union Center at 2:30 p.m.

Kiesel, Edwards Waved

The Sun announced today that Ariel Edwards and Brianna Kiesel have been waived.

A native of Utica, NY, Kiesel was signed to a training camp contract on March 22 after playing in Poland, where she averaged 20.3 points, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 16 games for Pszczolka AZS-UMCS. Edwards, signed to a training camp contract in February, spent the offseason in Spain where she averaged 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for Araski. She had a standout season in Israel in 2017-18, averaging 17.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists for Maccabi Raanana.

 
The Sun will open the regular season on Saturday, May 25, when they entertain Mike Thibault, Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics. Tip-off at Mohegan Sun Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, by visiting ConnecticutSun.com. Call 1-877-SUN-TIXX for more information or to purchase tickets for all 17 regular season home games.

—with staff reports