Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Jonquel Jones Starter/Star 28.5 High 15.4 11.9 1.5 2.4 82.90 Anchored the frontcourt as an elite rebounder who also stretched defenses with improving range. Independent coverage throughout the season consistently pointed to her breakout confidence, rim protection and expanded offensive role as major reasons Connecticut returned to playoff relevance. WNBA Most Improved Player (2017), WNBA All-Star (2017), All-WNBA Second Team (2017), WNBA Peak Performer – Rebounding (2017)
Alyssa Thomas Starter/Star 29.8 High 14.8 6.8 4.5 2.0 74.18 Operated as a point-forward, initiating offense in transition and creating mismatches through relentless downhill attacks. Reporters frequently described her versatility and physicality as the engine of Curt Miller’s system, with her defensive intensity setting the team’s tone. All-WNBA Second Team (2017)
Jasmine Thomas Starter/Star 28.2 High 14.2 2.3 4.3 1.7 58.08 Controlled the offense as the lead guard while embracing difficult perimeter defensive assignments. Independent analysis regularly highlighted her leadership and timely outside shooting, especially during Connecticut’s playoff push. WNBA All-Star (2017), All-WNBA First Team (2017)
Courtney Williams Starter/Star 26.0 Medium 12.3 4.2 2.1 0.7 46.46 Brought instant shot creation to the starting lineup, thriving on mid-range pull-ups and aggressive drives. Writers often praised her fearless mentality, noting she supplied offensive punch that complemented Connecticut’s frontcourt stars. None
Shekinna Stricklen Starter/Star 27.2 Medium 8.6 3.1 1.1 1.3 33.88 Filled a classic three-and-D role, spacing the floor without demanding touches while defending opposing wings. Independent coverage frequently credited her shooting for opening driving lanes for the team’s playmakers. None
Alex Bentley Key Contributor 23.7 Medium 8.4 1.5 2.9 0.9 31.82 Shifted comfortably into a sixth-player role, giving the second unit needed scoring and pace. Analysts viewed her willingness to accept fewer minutes as an important factor in Connecticut’s improved backcourt balance. None
Lynetta Kizer Bench 11.9 Low 6.0 2.9 0.3 1.0 20.40 Served as a reserve interior scorer who attacked the paint whenever she entered. Contemporary reporting suggested her efficiency made her a useful situational option despite a limited role in the rotation. None
Morgan Tuck Key Contributor 16.6 Low 5.4 2.2 0.9 0.4 18.69 Played a flexible reserve forward role, helping with switching defenses and frontcourt depth. Independent coverage emphasized that injuries interrupted her rhythm, though coaches still valued her versatility. None
Rachel Banham Bench 9.4 Low 3.3 1.1 0.7 0.1 10.40 Worked primarily as a perimeter specialist in limited minutes. Independent reporting noted that her shooting remained her clearest pathway toward a larger long-term role despite inconsistent opportunities. None
Brionna Jones Bench 6.4 Low 2.9 1.7 0.1 0.5 10.40 Limited contemporary coverage was available, but independent reports consistently mentioned her efficient finishing and physical post play as encouraging developmental traits behind an established frontcourt. None
Danielle Adams Bench 4.4 Low 2.6 0.6 0.2 0.4 7.60 Provided situational scoring as a reserve stretch forward. Coverage surrounding her season focused on her ability to generate offense quickly in short bursts rather than maintaining a regular rotation spot. None
Kayla Pedersen Bench 10.2 Low 1.5 2.3 0.6 0.4 9.60 Accepted a low-usage reserve role centered on rebounding, screening and smart ball movement. Her steady decision-making continued to earn trust even without significant offensive volume. None
Feyonda Fitzgerald Bench 4.0 Low 0.0 2.0 0.5 0.0 5.00 Appeared only briefly, leaving limited independent reporting beyond evaluations that she was adapting to the professional level after a successful collegiate career. None
Jordan Hooper Bench 3.7 Low 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.60 Saw only limited action, and contemporary independent coverage was scarce because of her minimal role on a deep playoff roster. None
Totals — 230.0 — 95.2 39.9 20.7 11.4 410.01 Connecticut evolved into one of the WNBA’s most balanced teams, pairing an emerging superstar frontcourt with experienced guard play and reliable perimeter shooting to secure a return to the postseason. WNBA Playoff Appearance (2017)

Playoffs

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Jonquel Jones Starter/Star 39.0 High 19.0 15.0 2.0 0.0 95.04 Dominated the paint as Connecticut’s focal point, controlling the glass and carrying the offense for long stretches. Postgame coverage described her rebounding and interior presence as the biggest reason the Sun remained competitive despite the defeat. (NBA.com) None
Alyssa Thomas Starter/Star 32.0 High 20.0 10.0 1.0 2.0 87.12 Attacked relentlessly from the opening tip, forcing contact and creating pressure in transition rather than settling for jump shots. Independent reporting highlighted her trademark physicality and effort on both ends even as turnovers mounted under playoff defensive pressure. (NBA.com) None
Jasmine Thomas Starter/Star 38.0 High 15.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 60.72 Directed the offense against constant defensive attention and never stopped looking for driving lanes despite an inefficient shooting night. Game analysis noted that Connecticut leaned heavily on her leadership when the half-court offense stalled. (NBA.com) None
Courtney Williams Starter/Star 31.0 Medium 10.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 48.40 Filled the secondary scoring role with her usual confidence from the mid-range while competing on the glass against bigger lineups. Observers continued to praise her willingness to attack without hesitation in playoff situations. (NBA.com) None
Shekinna Stricklen Starter/Star 25.0 Medium 5.0 3.0 0.0 1.0 21.30 Worked mainly as a floor spacer, but playoff defenders limited her clean perimeter looks. Independent coverage emphasized that Connecticut needed her outside shooting to stretch the defense, even though opportunities were scarce. (NBA.com) None
Alex Bentley Key Contributor 24.0 Medium 5.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 20.79 Supplied energy off the bench and looked to push the pace whenever she checked in. Her reserve scoring punch had been valuable throughout the season, although this matchup never allowed her to find sustained rhythm. (NBA.com) None
Kayla Pedersen Bench 5.0 Low 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.00 Saw only brief minutes, with limited contemporary reporting because of her small playoff role. Her assignment remained providing dependable frontcourt depth whenever called upon. None
Morgan Tuck Bench 4.0 Low 3.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 10.00 Entered in a limited reserve role and brought defensive versatility during a short stint. Independent playoff discussion around her performance was understandably limited because of the condensed rotation. None
Rachel Banham Bench 2.0 Low 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.00 Appeared briefly as a shooting option, leaving little independent postseason analysis beyond her role as emergency backcourt depth. None
Totals — 200.0 — 80.0 41.0 12.0 7.0 355.37 Connecticut leaned heavily on its established core in this playoff game, with the frontcourt carrying the offensive load while the rotation tightened considerably as possessions became increasingly physical. —