Sun president Jen Rizzotti has her sights on WNBA title
The Connecticut Sun’s standing in the WNBA playoff picture is secure.
Winners of a franchise record-tying 12 straight games, the Sun have already locked up the No. 1 seed for the postseason, ensuring a double-bye into the semifinals, in addition to home-court advantage.
It begs the question: Is this the year they complete the job and win a title? Quite possibly.
“We think that this is the time for our team to finally break through,” team president Jen Rizzotti said Wednesday morning during the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s virtual breakfast.
The Sun own the WNBA’s best record at 24-6 and are set to welcome back two-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas, who has yet to play this season after tearing her Achilles playing overseas. Thomas is listed as probable on the injury report for Wednesday’s game against the New York Liberty at Mohegan Sun Arena.
“As long as she has a good shootaround today and she’s ready to go tonight, she will likely get minutes in tonight’s game,” Rizzotti said, adding that Thomas will need to be brought along slowly.
Thomas, 28, has spent her entire seven-year career with Connecticut, averaging 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals. The 6-foot-2 forward was an All-Star in 2017 and 2019 and made the WNBA All-Defensive Team in 2020.
“We’re fortunate that she’s worked so hard to be in a place where she could be returning from an Achilles tear and joining a team that has really set the standard for excellence in the WNBA,” Rizzotti added. “It’s a fun thing to watch.”
The Sun have established themselves as perennial contenders, making the playoffs five straight seasons, including the Finals in 2019. While they’ve yet to get over the hump, they’re positioned better than ever to finally end their drought.
They’re one of the league’s stingiest defensive teams and have an MVPcaliber anchor in center Jonquel Jones, who leads all players in rebounding (11.2) and is fourth in scoring (19.6). Jones has a formidable supporting cast, too, led by forwards DeWanna Bonner (15.5 ppg) and Brionna Jones (14.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg), a candidate for Most Improved Player.
“We are stacked and loaded and ready to go,” Rizzotti said. “We’re excited to finish this season off the right way.”
Rizzotti, 47, was introduced as president in April, just a month after she was fired as head coach at George Washington. She went 72-74 in five seasons at GW, making one trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The former UConn star and New Fairfield native is also an assistant coach with USA Basketball, and won an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Summer Games.
In her new gig, Rizzotti said she’s made a personal connection with Sun head coach Curt Miller.
“I love his intensity, I love his knowledge,” Rizzotti said. “I feel like every time they come out of a timeout they either score, they get fouled, or they get a great shot because he’s a master of Xs and Os.
“I love that he’s passionate. I joke with him sometimes to stop being so stressed out. Meanwhile, I’m like the pot calling the kettle black because I know what it’s like to be in his shoes. I think that’s important that I can support that journey that he’s going through right now, how hard and lonely it can be and how much effort and passion he puts in.”