Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Connecticut Sun 2005 relied on a deep, balanced lineup led by Katie Douglas, Nykesha Sales, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who provided consistent scoring across the perimeter and frontcourt. Lindsay Whalen directed the offense as the primary playmaker, while McWilliams-Franklin anchored the team on the glass and defensively. The Sun combined efficient scoring, strong rebounding, and unselfish ball movement, with multiple contributors driving one of the league’s most balanced overall performances.

NO. PLAYER POS HT WT DOB COLLEGE
10 Jamie Carey G 5-6 135 March 12, 1981 Stanford, Texas
11 Taj McWilliams-Franklin F-C 6-2 195 October 20, 1970 Georgia State University, St. Edward’s University
12 Margo Dydek C 7-2 223 April 28, 1974
13 Lindsay Whalen G 5-9 170 May 9, 1982 Minnesota
14 Laura Summerton C 6-2 167 December 13, 1983
15 Asjha Jones F 6-2 187 August 1, 1980 UConn
21 Brooke Wyckoff F 6-1 183 March 30, 1980 Florida State
22 Jessica Brungo F 6-1 165 April 16, 1982 Penn State
32 Katie Douglas G-F 6-0 165 May 7, 1979 Purdue
34 Jennifer Derevjanik G 5-10 140 March 29, 1982 George Mason
42 Nykesha Sales F-G 6-0 184 May 10, 1976 UConn
43 Le’coe Willingham F 6-0 200 February 10, 1981 Auburn

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Taj McWilliams-Franklin Starter/Star [1.10] 31.9 High [1.20] 13.9 7.3 1.9 1.8 65.47 Veteran interior anchor who gave Connecticut its defensive identity. Mike Thibault repeatedly leaned on her to control the paint, and postseason reporting highlighted how her leadership, rebounding and calm decision-making steadied a roster that returned to the WNBA Finals. (Los Angeles Times) All-Star (2005), All-WNBA Second Team (2005), All-Defensive Second Team (2005), Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2005), Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Nykesha Sales Starter/Star [1.10] 31.6 High [1.20] 15.6 3.6 2.2 2.1 61.78 Go-to perimeter scorer who thrived attacking from the wings instead of relying only on jump shots. Associated Press game coverage often pointed to her ability to ignite decisive runs, while opponents routinely matched their best defender against her because she remained Connecticut’s primary offensive creator. (Los Angeles Times) All-Star (2005), Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star [1.10] 30.8 High [1.20] 12.1 3.8 5.1 1.3 58.08 Fast-paced floor general whose transition play made Connecticut noticeably harder to defend. Independent coverage praised her confidence running the offense in only her second season, with her tempo and playmaking giving the Sun another dimension beyond their veteran frontcourt. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005), WNBA Player of the Week (June 27, 2005), Off Season Community Assist Award (2005)
Katie Douglas Starter/Star [1.10] 31.2 High [1.20] 11.0 4.1 2.9 1.6 51.74 Two-way wing whose impact stretched well beyond scoring. Writers frequently highlighted her willingness to defend the opponent’s toughest perimeter assignment while still spacing the floor, making her one of the league’s most complete complementary guards. (Wikipedia) All-Defensive First Team (2005), Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005), WNBA Player of the Week (Aug. 15, 2005)
Margo Dydek Starter/Star [1.10] 21.6 Medium [1.10] 7.3 6.3 1.2 2.6 42.11 Towering rim protector who altered offenses even when she did not record a block. Game stories regularly described opponents avoiding the paint, and her interior presence allowed Connecticut’s perimeter defenders to pressure the ball more aggressively. (Herald-Standard) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Asjha Jones Key Contributor [1.05] 21.4 Medium [1.10] 9.1 3.7 1.2 0.5 33.03 Mobile reserve forward who supplied efficient scoring without disrupting the starting unit. Independent coverage often referenced her versatility, as she comfortably shifted between frontcourt spots depending on matchups and lineup needs. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Brooke Wyckoff Key Contributor [1.05] 17.5 Low [1.00] 3.1 2.8 1.0 0.7 15.96 Defensive-minded forward whose role centered on hustle, spacing and lineup flexibility. Contemporary reporting rarely focused on her scoring, instead noting the reliable minutes she gave the Sun whenever rotation adjustments were needed. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Jennifer Derevjanik Bench [1.00] 10.6 Low [1.00] 0.7 0.9 1.2 0.4 6.40 Backup guard who provided steady ball handling in short appearances. Independent season coverage was limited, with most references describing her as dependable depth behind Connecticut’s established backcourt. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Jamie Carey Bench [1.00] 5.7 Low [1.00] 1.2 0.4 0.5 0.1 4.40 Reserve shooter who was used situationally to add spacing. Limited contemporary reporting was available, reflecting her modest role on a veteran roster with an established guard rotation. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Le’coe Willingham Bench [1.00] 5.1 Low [1.00] 1.3 0.9 0.2 0.1 5.00 Athletic reserve whose assignments focused on energy plays around the basket. Independent coverage was sparse, but she remained a useful depth option capable of supplying physical minutes when called upon. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Laura Summerton Bench [1.00] 3.9 Low [1.00] 0.9 0.9 0.3 0.2 4.60 Developmental frontcourt player who saw brief action. Contemporary independent reporting was limited, with attention understandably centered on Connecticut’s veteran championship core. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Jessica Brungo Bench [1.00] 4.0 Low [1.00] 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.0 1.80 End-of-rotation forward whose appearances were infrequent. Little independent coverage was available beyond roster updates, reflecting her limited role during the Sun’s title pursuit. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
CONNECTICUT SUN TOTALS — 211.3 — 76.5 31.8 21.3 12.6 350.37 Connecticut combined veteran leadership, disciplined defense and balanced perimeter play to win another Eastern Conference title before finishing runner-up in the 2005 WNBA Finals against Sacramento. (Wikipedia) Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Taj McWilliams-Franklin Starter/Star [1.10] 35.5 High [1.20] 15.9 9.4 1.6 2.5 77.09 Connecticut’s offense repeatedly flowed through its veteran post in the Finals, where her screening, rebounding and interior scoring kept the Sun competitive. Independent game coverage emphasized her leadership and physical play against Sacramento’s frontcourt, with Mike Thibault continuing to trust her as the club’s emotional anchor. (Basketball Reference) All-Star (2005), All-WNBA Second Team (2005), All-Defensive Second Team (2005), Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2005), Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Nykesha Sales Starter/Star [1.10] 33.8 High [1.20] 14.4 4.0 2.4 3.0 62.30 As Connecticut’s featured perimeter scorer, Sales spent the series creating difficult shots against constant defensive attention. Contemporary reporting consistently described her competitive edge and willingness to attack late in possessions even when Sacramento crowded passing lanes. (Basketball Reference) All-Star (2005), Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Katie Douglas Starter/Star [1.10] 34.8 High [1.20] 12.0 4.6 2.3 1.5 53.86 Two-way wing who balanced floor spacing with demanding defensive assignments throughout the Finals. Independent coverage often pointed to her versatility, as Connecticut relied on her perimeter defense almost as much as her outside shooting to stay within reach. All-Defensive First Team (2005), Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star [1.10] 31.4 High [1.20] 11.1 3.4 3.3 1.0 49.10 Rather than simply organizing the offense, Whalen looked to pressure the defense off the dribble whenever transition opportunities appeared. Finals coverage highlighted Sacramento’s effort to disrupt her pace, underscoring how important her ball handling had become to Connecticut’s attack. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Asjha Jones Key Contributor [1.05] 22.3 Medium [1.10] 8.9 3.5 0.9 0.8 32.11 Mobile reserve forward who supplied efficient scoring without forcing possessions. Independent reporting around the series viewed her as one of Connecticut’s most dependable bench options because she could seamlessly fill either frontcourt position when matchups shifted. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Margo Dydek Starter/Star [1.10] 18.3 Medium [1.10] 4.5 5.3 0.5 2.0 29.52 Defensive specialist whose size changed Sacramento’s shot selection despite modest offensive production. Writers covering the Finals frequently noted that her rim protection remained valuable even when foul trouble or matchups limited her minutes. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Brooke Wyckoff Bench [1.00] 13.6 Low [1.00] 2.3 1.9 0.4 0.4 10.00 Hustle forward who filled short defensive assignments and helped maintain lineup flexibility. Contemporary independent coverage was limited, but her value largely came from reliable positional defense and spacing rather than shot volume. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Jennifer Derevjanik Bench [1.00] 10.3 Low [1.00] 0.8 0.5 1.8 0.6 7.40 Backup guard trusted to settle possessions when the starters rested. Independent reporting offered little individual coverage, reflecting her supporting role behind Connecticut’s veteran backcourt. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Jamie Carey Bench [1.00] 11.8 Low [1.00] 0.8 0.3 1.2 0.2 5.00 Reserve guard whose minutes came primarily in situational backcourt rotations. Contemporary reporting was limited, with most attention centered on Connecticut’s established starters during the championship series. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Le’coe Willingham Bench [1.00] 3.3 Low [1.00] 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 2.60 Athletic depth forward who appeared only briefly during the Finals. Independent coverage was scarce, with her contributions mainly confined to spot defensive minutes. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
Laura Summerton Bench [1.00] 1.0 Low [1.00] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Developmental center who did not factor into the regular rotation during the Finals. Limited contemporary independent reporting was available because of her minimal playing time. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)
CONNECTICUT SUN TOTALS — 216.1 — 70.6 31.9 14.4 12.3 328.98 Connecticut reached a second straight WNBA Finals behind its experienced core, balanced inside-out offense and disciplined defensive system, ultimately finishing runner-up to the Sacramento Monarchs after a hard-fought championship series. Eastern Conference Champion (2005), WNBA Finals (2005)