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
Chiney Ogwumike Starter/Star 25.5 High 14.4 7.3 1.0 1.7 63.62 Operated as Connecticut’s most efficient interior scorer, finishing quickly around the rim and thriving in pick-and-roll actions. Independent coverage praised the way she successfully returned to All-Star form after major injuries, giving the Sun another dependable frontcourt option alongside Jonquel Jones. (WNBA) WNBA All-Star (2018)
Jasmine Thomas Starter/Star 28.1 High 12.9 3.3 4.8 1.3 58.08 Directed the offense while taking on the toughest perimeter defensive assignments each night. Analysts consistently viewed her leadership and defensive intensity as central to Connecticut’s identity, earning another All-Defensive First Team selection. (WNBA) WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2018)
Alyssa Thomas Starter/Star 30.6 High 10.3 8.1 4.2 1.6 63.10 Served as the team’s do-everything forward, initiating offense in transition while defending multiple positions. Season-long coverage emphasized that her rebounding, playmaking and physical style allowed Connecticut to play through her even without a reliable perimeter jumper. (WNBA) None
Jonquel Jones Key Contributor 20.5 High 11.8 5.5 1.7 1.6 51.71 Shifted into a reserve role without sacrificing impact, stretching opposing defenses while protecting the rim and dominating second units. Independent reporting regularly cited her professionalism in embracing the role, which culminated in the league’s Sixth Woman honor. (WNBA) WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2018)
Courtney Williams Starter/Star 27.1 High 12.6 5.9 3.0 0.9 59.14 Played with her trademark attacking mentality, creating offense from the mid-range and in transition rather than relying on three-point volume. Writers often highlighted her confidence and willingness to take difficult shots when possessions broke down. (WNBA) None
Alex Bentley Key Contributor 21.7 Medium 10.0 1.4 3.2 1.4 36.50 Energized the second unit as a scoring guard who pushed the pace whenever she entered. Coverage throughout the season noted that her microwave scoring gave Connecticut valuable backcourt depth despite a reduced starting role. (WNBA) None
Shekinna Stricklen Starter/Star 18.8 Medium 6.6 2.3 0.5 0.7 24.73 Filled a low-maintenance three-and-D role, spacing the floor and rarely forcing offense outside the system. Analysts pointed to her perimeter shooting as an important complement to Connecticut’s frontcourt-heavy attack. (WNBA) None
Layshia Clarendon Key Contributor 15.9 Low 5.4 1.6 2.7 0.5 22.47 Worked primarily as a reserve playmaker, providing steady ball handling and defensive versatility. Independent reporting described the midseason addition as valuable veteran insurance behind Jasmine Thomas. (WNBA) None
Morgan Tuck Bench 13.6 Low 5.9 2.3 0.5 0.5 18.40 Accepted a limited frontcourt role and focused on defending multiple positions while supplying occasional scoring. Coverage noted that injuries continued to interrupt what had once been viewed as a high-upside career trajectory. (WNBA) None
Rachel Banham Bench 12.8 Low 5.2 0.9 1.5 0.6 16.40 Functioned as a reserve floor spacer whose outside shooting remained her clearest path to rotation minutes. Independent reporting suggested her confidence improved as the season progressed despite inconsistent playing time. (WNBA) None
Brionna Jones Bench 9.0 Low 3.1 2.0 0.2 0.4 11.40 Limited contemporary coverage was available, though observers consistently praised her efficient finishing and physical post play whenever she entered the game. (WNBA) None
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Bench 9.3 Low 2.7 1.7 0.7 0.4 11.00 Played a depth role on the wing, bringing defensive effort and athleticism in short bursts. Independent reporting on her season was limited because of her place near the end of the rotation. (WNBA) None
Lexie Brown Bench 5.6 Low 1.7 0.8 0.5 0.3 6.60 Appeared mostly in developmental minutes, with limited independent coverage beyond evaluations of her perimeter shooting and long-term potential as a combo guard. (WNBA) None
Totals — 238.5 — 102.6 43.6 25.2 12.0 442.75 Connecticut paired an efficient veteran frontcourt with improved depth, finishing among the WNBA’s strongest regular-season teams through balanced scoring, versatile defense and disciplined ball movement under Curt Miller. WNBA Playoff Appearance (2018)

Playoffs

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Courtney Williams Starter/Star 33.0 High 27.0 8.0 3.0 0.0 100.32 Attacked as Connecticut’s primary shot creator and never hesitated against Phoenix’s veteran defense, catching fire from mid-range and beyond. Independent postseason coverage described her explosive scoring as the driving force that nearly pushed the Sun through despite the late collapse. (tribune242.com) None
Jonquel Jones Starter/Star 26.0 High 13.0 7.0 7.0 0.0 71.28 Operated from the high post as much as the low block, creating offense with smart passing instead of forcing difficult shots. Game reports highlighted her all-around playmaking as Connecticut searched for answers against Phoenix’s defensive adjustments. (tribune242.com) None
Alyssa Thomas Starter/Star 35.0 High 17.0 3.0 3.0 0.0 60.19 Played with her usual downhill style, repeatedly attacking the paint and absorbing contact rather than settling for jumpers. Postgame analysis pointed to her physical approach as one of the few matchup advantages Connecticut consistently maintained. (tribune242.com) None
Jasmine Thomas Starter/Star 35.0 High 14.0 5.0 2.0 2.0 60.19 Handled lead-guard responsibilities against relentless pressure, balancing shot creation with defensive assignments on Phoenix’s backcourt. Independent coverage noted that her perimeter shooting briefly helped swing momentum before the Mercury’s late surge. (tribune242.com) None
Shekinna Stricklen Starter/Star 23.0 Medium 6.0 1.0 2.0 0.0 21.78 Filled the spacing role on the wing, drawing defensive attention even when touches were limited. Analysts viewed her floor spacing as important to creating driving lanes for Connecticut’s attacking forwards. (tribune242.com) None
Rachel Banham Bench 9.0 Low 3.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 16.00 Supplied a quick spark off the bench with confident perimeter play in limited minutes. Independent reporting on her performance was limited, but her energy helped stabilize the second unit during short stretches. (tribune242.com) None
Chiney Ogwumike Key Contributor 19.0 Low 2.0 3.0 1.0 2.0 16.80 Battled inside despite an off shooting night, staying engaged defensively and competing for rebounds against Phoenix’s frontcourt. Coverage focused more on her effort than her offensive production in this elimination game. (tribune242.com) None
Morgan Tuck Bench 9.0 Low 2.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 8.00 Saw brief frontcourt minutes, providing physical defense and rotational depth. Limited contemporary reporting was available because of her small role in the playoff rotation. (tribune242.com) None
Layshia Clarendon Key Contributor 10.0 Low 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 6.30 Entered as a reserve guard to steady the backcourt, though the shortened playoff rotation limited opportunities to influence the game. Independent coverage of the performance was minimal. (tribune242.com) None
Totals — 199.0 — 86.0 29.0 20.0 7.0 360.86 Connecticut leaned heavily on its core throughout this playoff matchup, receiving a memorable scoring outburst from Courtney Williams but ultimately falling after Phoenix executed more efficiently in the closing minutes. (tribune242.com) WNBA Playoff Second Round (2018)