Adams has won over Sun fans with her range
Has finished 8-for-12 from 3-point range over last two nights
Mohegan — The fans cheered when Connecticut Sun reserve Danielle Adams made her first 3-pointer less than a minute after entering the second quarter of Wednesday's preseason game.
They roared when Adams made her third 3-pointer a few minutes later.
Connecticut's bench went bonkers when Adams made her fifth straight 3-pointer in less than five minutes.
"If she's open, (opponents) know it's going to be a problem," said Sun forward Jonquel Jones, who was one of Adams' most enthusiastic cheerleaders.
Adams finished with a game-high 17 points in a 79-62 win over the defending WNBA champion Los Angeles Sparks, who were without the core of last year's team.
Adams signed a training camp contract with Connecticut for a chance to earn one of 12 roster spots.
She's already become a cult hero with the fans after making 8 of 12 3-pointers over two nights.
"I got stopped a couple of times in the (Mohegan Sun) hotel," Adams chuckled. "They asked for pictures. People are starting to be my fans. I'm excited about it. I'm excited to play with this group of girls."
Adams averaged 11.4 points over five seasons for the San Antonio Stars and was a reserve All-Star her rookie season (2011). She was suspended for three games in 2015 for violating the league's drug program. She was cut during training camp last year and didn't play in the WNBA.
"I don't know the reason why (I was cut)," Adams said, "so I just took some time off, rehabbed my knee (she had patella surgery in Jan. 2015), and played in Israel over the offseason.
"It's a second chance (here), and I'm just ready to work hard and give it my all. I thank the whole organization for the second chance."
Sun coach Curt Miller won't say how many posts he'll keep, but noted that most teams keep five. He's also said that Morgan Tuck, Lynetta Kizer and Jones will make up the team's three-player post rotation.
Rookie center Brionna Jones will likely made the final roster after Connecticut selected her eighth overall in
April's WNBA Draft.
Should Miller opt to keep five posts, then that would leave one spot among Reshanda Gray, Jennifer Hamson, Kayla Pedersen and Adams.
Pedersen hasn't arrived in camp yet due to overseas commitments. She played for Connecticut from 2013-15 and took last season off to work in a youth ministry.
"Gray has the best motor," Miller said. "Danielle Adams is the most skilled and knows how to play the game. Hamson (6-foot-7) gives us protection around the rim."
Adams is a shorter post (6-1) and, at 239 pounds, can be a liability in transition. She's unique, however, because she can shoot from long range.
"She's a tough matchup, but people will counter her and we've got to play off that counter," Miller said. "I'm a big believer in spacing is offense, offense is spacing. She clearly helps with your spacing and she can stretch the floor."
Jones said: "She's active defensively. She might not slide as much, but in terms of being in the right place, she's there."
The Sun will have to make a cut to stay at the 15-woman limit when Kizer arrives in Connecticut late Thursday having finished her overseas commitments.
n.griffen@theday.com