Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Connecticut Sun 2008 were driven by a balanced veteran lineup, with Asjha Jones providing consistent scoring inside, Lindsay Whalen orchestrating the offense as the primary playmaker, and Katie Douglas supplying efficient perimeter scoring and all-around production. Taj McWilliams-Franklin anchored the frontcourt with rebounding and defense, while the team benefited from strong ball movement and balanced scoring, relying on depth rather than a single dominant offensive option.

NO. PLAYER POS HT WT DOB COLLEGE
0 Tamika Whitmore F 6-2 215 June 5, 1977 Memphis
1 Amber Holt F 6-0 170 June 7, 1985 Middle Tennessee
7 Sandrine Gruda F-C 6-4 185 June 25, 1987
10 Jamie Carey G 5-6 135 March 12, 1981 Stanford, Texas
11 Ketia Swanier G 5-7 150 August 10, 1986 UConn
13 Lindsay Whalen G 5-9 170 May 9, 1982 Minnesota
15 Asjha Jones F 6-2 187 August 1, 1980 UConn
22 Barbara Turner G-F 5-10 182 June 8, 1984 UConn
25 Svetlana Abrosimova F 6-2 169 July 9, 1980 UConn
31 Erin Phillips G 5-8 165 May 19, 1985
33 Jolene Anderson G 5-8 166 July 22, 1986 Wisconsin
34 Tamika Williams F 6-2 195 April 12, 1980 UConn
41 Kerri Gardin F 6-1 168 May 19, 1984 Virginia Tech
52 Danielle Page F 6-2 189 November 14, 1986 Nebraska

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
Asjha Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 29.2 High (1.2) 17.0 6.1 2.5 1.4 71.28 Operated as Connecticut’s primary half-court scorer, thriving from the elbows and low block in Mike Thibault’s offense. Independent season coverage consistently highlighted her polished face-up game and reliability in late-clock situations, making her the team’s most dependable frontcourt option rather than simply a volume scorer. (Wikipedia) All-WNBA Second Team (2008); WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week (2008)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star (1.1) 29.3 High (1.2) 14.0 5.6 5.4 1.5 69.43 Everything flowed through Whalen’s decision-making. Reporters and analysts repeatedly pointed to her ability to push tempo while still controlling the offense, with her rebounding from the guard spot allowing Connecticut to ignite transition without an outlet pass. (Wikipedia) All-WNBA First Team (2008); Peak Performer – Assists (2008); WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week (2×, 2008)
Tamika Whitmore Starter/Star (1.1) 26.8 High (1.2) 12.6 4.7 1.4 1.0 51.74 After arriving via trade, Whitmore gave the Sun needed interior toughness and physical screening. Coverage during the season frequently noted that her willingness to battle inside complemented Jones’ finesse game and helped stabilize a reworked frontcourt. (Wikipedia) None
Amber Holt Starter/Star (1.1) 21.0 Medium (1.1) 6.5 3.1 1.9 0.5 28.01 Thrust into a starting role as a rookie, Holt earned coaching trust through defensive versatility and effort more than shot creation. Contemporary reporting often emphasized her maturity and willingness to accept difficult assignments despite modest offensive numbers. (Wikipedia) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2008)
Barbara Turner Key Contributor (1.05) 19.5 Medium (1.1) 8.0 3.2 1.5 0.8 31.42 Served as an energetic utility wing capable of defending multiple positions while stretching the floor. Independent coverage regularly described her as an important rotational piece whose versatility allowed Connecticut to mix larger and smaller lineups. (Basketball Reference) None
Sandrine Gruda Key Contributor (1.05) 15.4 Medium (1.1) 6.2 3.5 0.9 1.4 27.03 The young French post flashed advanced footwork and touch despite limited minutes. Observers viewed 2008 as a developmental season in which her long-term upside was more significant than her immediate production. (Wikipedia) None
Svetlana Abrosimova Bench (1.0) 17.8 Low (1.0) 5.7 3.3 2.0 1.3 24.60 Injuries limited her to a brief stint, preventing her from settling into a consistent perimeter role. Contemporary independent coverage was limited because of her abbreviated season. None
Jamie Carey Bench (1.0) 15.1 Low (1.0) 4.2 1.2 1.4 0.2 14.00 Functioned as a steady reserve ball-handler whose value came from spacing and mistake-free guard play rather than high-volume offense. Independent reporting largely focused on her reliability off the bench. None
Kerri Gardin Key Contributor (1.05) 15.9 Low (1.0) 4.0 3.3 1.2 1.1 20.16 Filled a low-usage defensive role, bringing rebounding and hustle that coaching staff valued alongside higher-scoring teammates. Local coverage regularly highlighted her willingness to handle difficult defensive matchups. (Basketball Reference) None
Erin Phillips Bench (1.0) 10.8 Low (1.0) 5.1 2.1 0.4 0.6 16.40 As a young international guard, Phillips showed flashes of perimeter shooting and defensive instincts while adjusting to the WNBA. Independent season coverage was relatively limited due to her reserve role. None
Jolene Anderson Bench (1.0) 15.3 Low (1.0) 4.0 2.4 1.1 0.3 15.60 Worked through the expected learning curve of a rookie wing. Coverage focused more on her long-term shooting potential than immediate offensive consistency. None
Tamika Williams Bench (1.0) 11.0 Low (1.0) 2.5 2.9 0.4 0.3 12.20 Provided experienced frontcourt depth, supplying physical defense and rebounding in short stretches whenever Connecticut needed extra size. None
Ketia Swanier Bench (1.0) 9.2 Low (1.0) 1.6 1.2 1.0 0.6 8.80 Rookie reserve guard whose opportunities came in spot minutes. Independent reporting from the season was limited, with most discussion centering on her defensive energy and future development. None
Danielle Page Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 8.00 Appeared only briefly during the season, leaving very little contemporaneous independent reporting beyond roster transactions and developmental observations. None
Connecticut Sun Totals — 245.3 — 107.4 46.5 25.1 10.7 398.64 Mike Thibault’s club blended Whalen’s playmaking with Jones’ interior scoring to finish among the Eastern Conference contenders despite integrating several new starters. The balanced rotation and disciplined half-court execution remained recurring themes throughout independent coverage of the 2008 regular season. (Wikipedia) Coach of the Year (Mike Thibault, 2008)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Asjha Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 32.7 High (1.2) 15.0 7.3 1.3 1.0 64.94 Connecticut leaned on Jones as its primary interior option throughout the series, asking her to create against set playoff defenses. Independent coverage emphasized how New York crowded the paint and forced difficult mid-range looks, yet she remained the Sun’s most dependable frontcourt scoring threat while also carrying a heavier rebounding load in the decisive game. (Basketball Reference) All-WNBA Second Team (2008)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star (1.1) 30.0 High (1.2) 13.3 4.7 4.0 1.3 61.78 Everything started with Whalen’s ball pressure and pace, but the Liberty focused on limiting transition opportunities. Game 3 reporting highlighted her aggressive late scoring push, reflecting the way she shouldered more offensive responsibility as the series tightened. (Basketball Reference) All-WNBA First Team (2008); WNBA Peak Performer – Assists (2008)
Tamika Whitmore Starter/Star (1.1) 29.0 High (1.2) 10.0 4.7 2.0 1.3 47.89 Whitmore filled the physical role Connecticut expected, battling inside and setting hard screens to free perimeter players. Playoff coverage noted her Game 2 effort as one of the few consistent interior positives before New York closed the series. (Basketball Reference) None
Svetlana Abrosimova Key Contributor (1.05) 21.0 Medium (1.1) 8.0 3.7 1.3 1.3 33.96 Working primarily as a complementary wing, Abrosimova supplied secondary shot creation when Connecticut’s offense stalled. Contemporary independent coverage of her individual series was limited, though observers viewed her as an experienced floor spacer in a difficult matchup. None
Barbara Turner Bench (1.0) 19.0 Low (1.0) 5.3 3.3 0.3 0.3 18.40 Turner brought defensive energy and lineup flexibility despite struggling to find an offensive rhythm. Available independent reporting focused more on her willingness to defend multiple positions than on her shooting numbers during the series. None
Kerri Gardin Starter/Star (1.1) 19.0 Low (1.0) 3.7 2.3 1.0 2.0 19.80 Gardin’s assignment was built around hustle plays, perimeter defense and rebounding rather than scoring. Her activity helped Connecticut compete on the glass even as the offense became increasingly half-court oriented. None
Amber Holt Key Contributor (1.05) 18.3 Low (1.0) 3.7 4.0 1.3 0.3 19.53 The rookie’s minutes reflected Mike Thibault’s trust in her defensive discipline despite a difficult shooting series. Independent postseason discussion centered on her composure and willingness to accept demanding assignments rather than offensive production. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2008)
Erin Phillips Bench (1.0) 12.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 0.7 1.7 0.3 11.40 Phillips was used as a reserve guard to inject energy and perimeter spacing in short stretches. Independent coverage specific to her playoff role was limited because of her modest minutes. None
Sandrine Gruda Bench (1.0) 9.0 Low (1.0) 2.7 1.3 0.3 0.3 9.20 Gruda’s role remained developmental, with brief frontcourt appearances offering flashes of her polished touch around the basket. Contemporary independent reporting on her postseason contribution was limited. None
Jamie Carey Bench (1.0) 2.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Carey appeared only briefly, leaving little opportunity to influence the series. Independent postseason coverage of her individual role was minimal. None
Connecticut Sun Totals — 192.0 — 65.0 28.3 15.2 7.8 286.90 Connecticut’s offense increasingly became a half-court battle against New York’s defensive schemes, with Jones and Whalen carrying the primary creation burden. The Sun extended the series with a resilient Game 2 victory but struggled to generate enough efficient offense in the deciding contest. (Basketball Reference) Coach of the Year (Mike Thibault, 2008)