Last Updated on July 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Nykesha Sales Starter/Star [1.10] 32.2 High [1.20] 15.2 4.0 2.9 2.4 64.68 Primary scoring wing who carried much of Connecticut’s half-court offense while still defending top perimeter threats. Independent season coverage frequently highlighted her aggressive shot creation and leadership after the franchise’s move to Connecticut, with Mike Thibault relying on her to set the competitive tone as the Sun reached the WNBA Finals. (The Washington Post) All-Star (2004), WNBA Finals (2004), All-WNBA Second Team (2004)
Taj McWilliams-Franklin Starter/Star [1.10] 33.3 High [1.20] 12.1 7.2 1.9 2.7 63.10 Veteran interior anchor whose rebounding, rim protection and calm decision-making gave Connecticut balance. Playoff reporting repeatedly credited her defensive positioning and timely baskets as the stabilizing force behind the Sun’s Finals run, with Thibault praising her ability to “will” the team through difficult stretches. (The Washington Post) All-Star (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Katie Douglas Starter/Star [1.10] 32.9 High [1.20] 10.7 3.9 2.6 1.9 50.42 Floor-spacing guard who stretched defenses and handled major perimeter responsibilities. Contemporary analysis emphasized how her outside shooting complemented Connecticut’s frontcourt, creating cleaner scoring opportunities while also defending opposing wings in key matchups. (ESPN) WNBA Finals (2004)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star [1.10] 30.5 Medium [1.10] 8.9 2.9 4.8 1.3 43.32 Rookie point guard whose pace, vision and willingness to attack immediately earned Mike Thibault’s trust. National previews noted Connecticut resisted trade offers for her because they believed her passing would unlock the club’s veteran frontcourt, a prediction that proved accurate throughout the season. (ESPN) All-Rookie Team (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Wendy Palmer Starter/Star [1.10] 23.8 Medium [1.10] 9.0 5.5 0.9 0.9 39.45 Physical frontcourt presence who absorbed difficult interior assignments while sharing minutes across multiple lineups. Coverage throughout the season described her as an important complementary post player whose screening and defense often outweighed her scoring totals. (ESPN) WNBA Finals (2004)
Asjha Jones Key Contributor [1.05] 20.6 Medium [1.10] 6.9 3.5 1.1 1.1 29.11 Versatile reserve forward who steadily expanded her responsibilities as the year progressed. Game coverage regularly pointed to her improving passing and energy off the bench, giving Connecticut another reliable option in the frontcourt rotation. (The Washington Post) WNBA Finals (2004)
Le’coe Willingham Bench [1.00] 7.6 Low [1.00] 3.0 1.9 0.3 0.4 11.20 Athletic reserve who supplied efficient finishing and hustle in limited minutes. Independent reporting on the Sun’s deep rotation noted that young bench players were primarily asked to provide energy rather than initiate offense. (ESPN) WNBA Finals (2004)
Debbie Black Bench [1.00] 11.2 Low [1.00] 1.8 1.2 1.5 0.6 10.20 Veteran backup guard whose value came from ball pressure, communication and steady decision-making instead of scoring. Coaches consistently trusted her to settle the second unit and protect late-game possessions. (ESPN) WNBA Finals (2004)
Candace Futrell Bench [1.00] 7.2 Low [1.00] 2.1 1.0 0.5 0.4 8.00 Rookie reserve used in short stretches to provide perimeter depth. Limited independent coverage was available, with most reporting mentioning her as a developmental piece behind an experienced backcourt. (ESPN) WNBA Finals (2004)
Jessica Brungo Bench [1.00] 9.5 Low [1.00] 1.5 1.1 0.8 0.2 7.20 Reserve forward who filled spot minutes and supplied physical play around the basket. Limited contemporary reporting was available beyond her role as frontcourt depth on a veteran contender. (ESPN) WNBA Finals (2004)
Jennifer Derevjanik Bench [1.00] 6.1 Low [1.00] 0.8 0.4 0.6 0.3 4.20 Rookie guard used sparingly while adjusting to the professional game. Independent coverage was limited, generally identifying her as developmental depth behind established playmakers. (ESPN) WNBA Finals (2004)
CONNECTICUT SUN TOTALS — 208.9 — 71.0 31.6 17.9 12.2 330.90 Eastern Conference champion that advanced to the 2004 WNBA Finals behind a balanced veteran core, elite interior defense and the successful integration of rookie point guard Lindsay Whalen into Mike Thibault’s system. Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)

Playoffs

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Nykesha Sales Starter/Star [1.10] 32.5 High [1.20] 14.8 5.4 1.4 3.9 67.06 Aggressive two-way wing who dictated Connecticut’s playoff tempo. During the Eastern Conference Finals, Associated Press coverage highlighted how her early scoring burst fueled a decisive run, while Mike Thibault continued leaning on her to defend elite perimeter scorers and create offense when possessions slowed. (The Washington Post) All-Star (2004), All-WNBA Second Team (2004), Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Taj McWilliams-Franklin Starter/Star [1.10] 31.5 High [1.20] 10.4 7.4 1.9 2.3 57.02 Veteran post whose value extended beyond the box score. Playoff reports consistently described her as Connecticut’s emotional anchor, and her rebounding, interior defense and late-game composure were central to the franchise’s first trip to the WNBA Finals. (http://vindyarchives.com) All-Star (2004), Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star [1.10] 31.9 High [1.20] 13.4 2.3 5.1 1.8 59.14 Rookie floor general who played with unusual poise for a first-year guard. National playoff coverage noted her willingness to push the pace after defensive rebounds, giving Connecticut another creator alongside its veteran scorers instead of simply managing possessions. (http://vindyarchives.com) All-Rookie Team (2004), Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Katie Douglas Starter/Star [1.10] 33.5 High [1.20] 10.3 4.0 2.8 1.3 48.31 Floor-spacing guard who balanced perimeter shooting with difficult defensive assignments throughout the postseason. Independent coverage frequently pointed to her ability to stretch defenses while remaining one of the club’s most trusted matchup defenders on the wing. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Asjha Jones Key Contributor [1.05] 21.4 Medium [1.10] 7.4 2.6 1.4 0.7 27.95 Energetic reserve forward who supplied versatile minutes behind the starting frontcourt. Contemporary playoff coverage was limited, but independent reporting regularly viewed her as a dependable rotation piece capable of defending multiple frontcourt spots without disrupting Connecticut’s rhythm. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Wendy Palmer Starter/Star [1.10] 19.5 Medium [1.10] 5.5 4.4 0.1 0.8 25.17 Physical interior presence whose screening and defensive work often outweighed her offensive touches. Even with modest usage, she helped absorb difficult post assignments and allowed Connecticut’s primary scorers to operate more freely. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Le’coe Willingham Bench [1.00] 7.5 Low [1.00] 2.1 2.4 0.1 0.1 9.40 Athletic reserve who brought energy in brief playoff appearances. Independent reporting on Connecticut’s deep bench was limited, with her role largely focused on rebounding and maintaining defensive intensity in short stretches. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Debbie Black Bench [1.00] 9.1 Low [1.00] 1.1 1.4 0.9 0.5 7.80 Defensive-minded backup guard trusted to organize second-unit possessions. Although her minutes were limited, veteran decision-making and backcourt pressure remained the traits most often mentioned by observers during Connecticut’s playoff run. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Jessica Brungo Bench [1.00] 12.6 Low [1.00] 1.0 1.6 0.6 0.1 6.60 Reserve forward who filled situational frontcourt minutes. Contemporary independent playoff coverage was scarce, with most references describing her as depth behind an experienced veteran rotation rather than a featured contributor. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Candace Futrell Bench [1.00] 1.5 Low [1.00] 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.00 Appeared only briefly during the postseason. Independent reporting from the 2004 playoffs offered little individual coverage, reflecting her limited role on a veteran team chasing a championship. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
Jennifer Derevjanik Bench [1.00] 1.0 Low [1.00] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Saw only a token playoff appearance. Contemporary independent coverage was minimal, with nearly all attention focused on Connecticut’s established core during its run to the Finals. (http://vindyarchives.com) Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)
CONNECTICUT SUN TOTALS — 170.5 — 66.0 29.2 14.3 11.5 310.45 Connecticut captured the 2004 Eastern Conference title through disciplined half-court execution, veteran interior play and a balanced backcourt before falling to Seattle in a competitive three-game WNBA Finals series. Eastern Conference Champion (2004), WNBA Finals (2004)