Sun trade for rookie Brown, waive 3 players
The Connecticut Sun are closer to finalizing their roster for the season after making a number of moves on Tuesday. Connecticut traded for rookie guard Leigha Brown, acquiring the former University of Michigan star in a trade with the Atlanta Dream.
The Sun sent their thirdround pick in the 2025 draft in exchange for Brown, who was selected 15th overall by Atlanta in last month’s WNBA Draft. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 17.5 points and 5.8 assists while being named All-big Ten and an AP All-american.
Connecticut also waived forward Caitlin Bickle and guards Nia Clouden and Jayla Everett on Tuesday as the May 18 deadline to cut the roster down to 12 players approaches.
Mcwilliams-franklin to be honored:
Earlier on Tuesday, the team announced that former star Taj Mcwilliams-franklin will have her No. 11 be lifted into the rafters after the team’s home opener on May 21 against the Washington Mystics.
Mcwilliams-franklin’s No. 11 will join Margo Dydek (12), Nykesha Sales (42), Katie Douglas (23), Lindsay Whalen (13), and Asjha Jones (15) in the rafters.
“I am surprised and humbled at this amazing honor. I loved my time as a Connecticut Sun and grew as a person and a player,” Mcwilliams-franklin said in a statement. “Learning that this organization viewed my contributions
to this amazing sport as worthy of this type of honor, brings tears to my eyes. I did not have a big name. I did not come from a big D-I school, but I came with big goals and a big work ethic; and that’s what the Connecticut faithful appreciated and cheered for.”
Hammon, Aces pay price:
The WNBA suspended Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon for two games without pay Tuesday for violating league and team respect in the workplace policies.
The violation was related to comments made by Hammon to Dearica
Hamby in connection with the player’s recent pregnancy. Hamby’s allegations were that she was bullied and manipulated for being pregnant.
The league also rescinded the Aces’ first-round pick in the 2025 draft for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits. Las Vegas didn’t have a 2024 pick in the first round because of a prior trade.
“It is critical that we uphold the values of integrity and fairness, which create a level playing field for our teams,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “The Aces failed to adhere to league rules
and regulations and have been disciplined accordingly. We are also disheartened by the violation of our Respect in the Workplace policies and remain committed to ensuring that enhanced training is conducted and standards are followed across all WNBA teams.”
The impermissible benefits were in connection with negotiations for an extension of Hamby’s player contract. She had signed a two-year extension last June. Hamby was traded on Jan. 21 to the Los Angeles Sparks.