Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Connecticut Sun 2011 relied on a balanced veteran core led by Tina Charles, whose inside scoring, rebounding, and rim protection anchored the team on both ends. Renee Montgomery directed the offense as the primary playmaker while providing perimeter scoring, with Asjha Jones adding consistent frontcourt production and Kara Lawson supplying efficient outside shooting. The Sun combined strong interior play with reliable three-point shooting and solid overall defense, helping them maintain one of the league’s more balanced attacks.

NO. PLAYER POS HT WT DOB COLLEGE
4 Danielle McCray F 5-11 170 October 8, 1987 Kansas
5 Kelsey Griffin F 6-2 179 July 2, 1987 Nebraska
14 Tan White G 5-7 154 September 27, 1982 Mississippi State
15 Asjha Jones F 6-2 187 August 1, 1980 UConn
20 Kara Lawson G 5-9 150 February 14, 1981 Tennessee
21 Renee Montgomery G 5-7 140 December 2, 1986 UConn
22 DeMya Walker F 6-3 191 November 28, 1977 Virginia
23 Allison Hightower G 5-10 139 April 6, 1988 LSU
30 Jessica Moore F-C 6-3 175 July 9, 1982 UConn
31 Tina Charles C 6-4 192 December 5, 1988 UConn
32 Kalana Greene G 5-10 155 July 13, 1987 UConn
51 Jessica Breland F 6-2 166 February 23, 1988 UNC

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
Tina Charles Starter/Star (1.1) 33.4 High (1.2) 17.6 11.0 1.9 2.6 87.38 The offense revolved around Charles’ ability to command double teams on the block, and opponents rarely found a clean answer for her combination of strength and footwork. Associated Press coverage throughout the season frequently highlighted her dominance on the glass and the heavy workload she carried while Connecticut fought for a playoff berth. (Basketball Reference) WNBA All-Star (2011); All-WNBA First Team (2011); All-Defensive Second Team (2011); MVP Voting (3rd, 2011)
Renee Montgomery Starter/Star (1.1) 29.1 High (1.2) 14.6 2.1 4.9 1.5 60.19 Montgomery played with noticeably more confidence as the full-time lead guard, pushing the pace whenever transition chances appeared. Independent reporting regularly pointed to her improved command of late-game possessions and her willingness to attack defenses instead of simply creating for others. (Basketball Reference) WNBA All-Star (2011)
Asjha Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 28.6 High (1.2) 13.3 6.4 1.9 1.1 59.14 Jones complemented Charles with polished mid-range scoring and veteran decision-making rather than forcing offense. Game reports consistently described her as the stabilizing frontcourt presence whose experience helped Connecticut weather difficult stretches during a competitive Eastern Conference race. (Basketball Reference) WNBA All-Star (2011)
Kara Lawson Key Contributor (1.05) 25.2 Medium (1.1) 10.4 2.6 2.9 0.7 38.42 Lawson shifted comfortably between starting and reserve duties, giving Connecticut dependable perimeter shooting and veteran composure. Local coverage frequently praised her leadership and floor spacing, traits that helped open driving lanes for Montgomery and post touches for Charles. (Wikipedia) None
Tan White Key Contributor (1.05) 22.0 Medium (1.1) 5.9 2.9 1.9 1.4 27.03 White embraced an energy role off the bench, attacking open space instead of trying to create in isolation. Coaches often relied on her athleticism to change the tempo when Connecticut’s half-court offense became stagnant. (Wikipedia) None
Kalana Greene Starter/Star (1.1) 23.7 Low (1.0) 5.6 3.8 1.5 1.3 26.84 Greene rarely needed the ball to influence games, handling difficult wing assignments while moving intelligently without possession. Independent coverage regularly noted that her defensive versatility and willingness to guard multiple positions made her more valuable than her scoring totals suggested. (Wikipedia) None
Danielle McCray Key Contributor (1.05) 15.1 Low (1.0) 5.9 2.3 1.2 0.6 21.00 McCray supplied athletic scoring in short bursts and showed flashes of the aggressive downhill style that made her an intriguing young wing. Contemporary independent reporting on her individual season was limited, with most discussion focusing on her development within the rotation. None
Kelsey Griffin Bench (1.0) 13.0 Low (1.0) 3.6 3.1 0.5 1.0 16.40 Griffin earned minutes through relentless rebounding and hustle rather than offensive production. Coaches consistently trusted her willingness to battle bigger forwards and provide extra possessions off the bench. (Wikipedia) None
DeMya Walker Bench (1.0) 8.0 Low (1.0) 2.4 1.6 0.0 0.2 8.40 Walker’s veteran experience gave Connecticut dependable frontcourt depth whenever extra size was needed. Independent coverage of her season was limited because her role was largely situational. None
Allison Hightower Bench (1.0) 9.2 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.6 0.5 0.4 7.00 Hightower spent most of the season developing behind an experienced guard rotation. Available independent reporting focused more on her long-term shooting potential than her limited game opportunities. None
Jessica Moore Bench (1.0) 6.9 Low (1.0) 1.7 0.8 0.2 0.3 6.00 Moore filled a reserve interior role, supplying physical minutes and dependable screening when called upon. Independent coverage of her individual contributions during the season was limited. None
Jessica Breland Bench (1.0) 1.5 Low (1.0) 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.60 Breland appeared only briefly before injuries curtailed her season, leaving very little contemporary independent reporting beyond roster updates. None
Connecticut Sun Totals — 248.7 — 83.9 36.5 17.6 11.4 359.40 Connecticut leaned heavily on Tina Charles’ interior dominance while Renee Montgomery’s emergence at point guard created a more dynamic attack. Veteran leadership from Asjha Jones and Kara Lawson kept the rotation organized, but inconsistent secondary scoring ultimately left the Sun just outside the playoff picture. (Wikipedia) WNBA All-Star (2011): Tina Charles, Renee Montgomery, Asjha Jones; All-WNBA First Team (2011): Tina Charles; All-Defensive Second Team (2011): Tina Charles

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Tina Charles Starter/Star (1.1) 36.0 High (1.2) 12.5 12.0 2.0 3.5 79.46 Connecticut continued to run its offense through Charles despite Indiana collapsing the lane with multiple defenders. Postseries coverage emphasized that she battled relentlessly on the glass and protected the rim, but the Fever’s physical interior defense forced difficult looks throughout the two-game sweep. (Basketball Reference) WNBA All-Star (2011); All-WNBA First Team (2011); WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2011); MVP Voting (3rd, 2011)
Asjha Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 32.0 High (1.2) 15.5 6.5 2.5 3.0 72.86 Jones shouldered much of Connecticut’s half-court scoring burden whenever Indiana denied Charles deep position. Independent postseason analysis noted that her face-up game and willingness to attack from the elbows kept the Sun competitive even as the offense struggled to find consistent spacing. (Basketball Reference) WNBA All-Star (2011)
Renee Montgomery Starter/Star (1.1) 28.5 High (1.2) 13.0 1.5 4.5 1.0 52.27 Montgomery pushed the pace whenever opportunities appeared, but Indiana’s disciplined transition defense often forced her into half-court creation. Game coverage highlighted her aggressive perimeter play and late-clock shot making despite the difficult matchup. (Basketball Reference) WNBA All-Star (2011)
Kalana Greene Starter/Star (1.1) 22.0 Low (1.0) 9.5 2.0 1.0 2.5 33.00 Greene filled a classic two-way wing role, defending multiple positions while knocking down timely perimeter shots. Reporters covering the series frequently pointed to her defensive effort as one of Connecticut’s brighter spots despite the early exit. (Basketball Reference) None
Kara Lawson Key Contributor (1.05) 18.5 Medium (1.1) 7.5 0.5 3.5 0.0 26.57 Lawson supplied veteran composure off the bench, spacing the floor and organizing possessions when the offense became stagnant. Independent coverage consistently praised her leadership even though Indiana limited Connecticut’s three-point opportunities. (Basketball Reference) None
Tan White Key Contributor (1.05) 21.5 Medium (1.1) 4.0 2.5 3.0 1.5 25.41 White’s value came from changing the tempo with aggressive drives and energetic defense. Although she attempted very few shots, she remained active as a secondary ball-handler and transition threat whenever Connecticut looked for a spark. (Basketball Reference) None
Allison Hightower Bench (1.0) 14.5 Low (1.0) 6.0 2.0 0.5 1.0 19.00 Hightower made the most of limited opportunities by providing instant shooting from the perimeter. Contemporary independent postseason coverage of her individual role was limited because she remained part of a deep guard rotation. None
Danielle McCray Key Contributor (1.05) 15.0 Low (1.0) 2.5 5.5 0.5 0.0 17.85 McCray concentrated on rebounding and defensive assignments rather than offensive creation. Available postseason reporting focused more on her effort and athleticism than her scoring as Indiana controlled the series. None
Jessica Moore Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 5.00 Moore saw only brief reserve minutes, primarily providing frontcourt depth. Independent coverage specific to her postseason contribution was limited. None
Kelsey Griffin Bench (1.0) 8.0 Low (1.0) 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 4.00 Griffin’s minutes were centered on energy plays and defensive hustle. Contemporary reporting of her individual playoff role was limited due to her small workload in the series. None
Connecticut Sun Totals — 200.0 — 74.0 35.5 16.5 13.0 335.42 Indiana’s disciplined defense consistently disrupted Connecticut’s inside-out attack, forcing the Sun into difficult half-court possessions. Charles and Jones carried most of the offensive responsibility, but the Fever’s physicality and execution ultimately produced a two-game first-round sweep. (Basketball Reference) WNBA All-Star (2011): Tina Charles, Asjha Jones, Renee Montgomery; All-WNBA First Team (2011): Tina Charles; WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2011): Tina Charles