Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Alyssa Thomas Starter/Star [1.1] 36.2 High [1.2] 15.5 9.9 7.9 2.3 93.98 Functioned as Connecticut’s offensive hub, initiating nearly every half-court action while defending multiple positions. Independent season coverage regularly highlighted her point-forward role, relentless transition play and ability to control tempo despite rarely relying on outside shooting. All-WNBA First Team (2023); WNBA All-Star (2023); All-Defensive First Team (2023); MVP Runner-up (2023)
Brionna Jones Starter/Star [1.1] 31.7 High [1.2] 15.9 8.2 2.4 2.3 76.03 Before her season-ending Achilles injury, Jones remained Connecticut’s primary interior scorer. Writers frequently noted how her screening, efficient finishing and physical post presence created cleaner looks for the Sun’s perimeter creators. WNBA All-Star (2023)
DeWanna Bonner Starter/Star [1.1] 30.1 High [1.2] 17.4 5.6 2.2 1.7 71.02 Operated as the club’s dependable wing scorer, mixing transition attacks with difficult perimeter shot-making. Coverage throughout the season praised her veteran poise, defensive length and leadership after Connecticut adjusted to injuries. WNBA All-Star (2023)
Tiffany Hayes Starter/Star [1.1] 27.1 Medium [1.1] 12.1 3.0 2.6 1.0 45.25 Brought downhill speed and aggressive perimeter defense after coming out of retirement. Analysts often pointed to her ability to inject pace into the offense while taking difficult defensive assignments on opposing guards. —
Natisha Hiedeman Starter/Star [1.1] 26.7 Medium [1.1] 8.5 2.1 2.7 1.0 34.61 Filled an important spacing role alongside Connecticut’s playmakers, balancing catch-and-shoot opportunities with secondary ball-handling. Local reporting consistently emphasized her confidence in late-clock situations and willingness to defend bigger matchups. —
DiJonai Carrington Key Contributor [1.05] 17.2 Medium [1.1] 8.3 2.9 1.3 0.7 30.49 Played with relentless energy off the bench, attacking loose balls and pressuring opposing ball-handlers. Observers regularly described her competitiveness and defensive intensity as momentum-changing traits during the regular season. Sixth Player of the Year (2023)
Rebecca Allen Key Contributor [1.05] 21.5 Low [1.0] 6.4 2.8 0.9 2.2 25.83 Used primarily as a 3-and-D forward, Allen stretched opposing defenses while providing timely weak-side rim protection. Independent analysis frequently credited her versatility for allowing Connecticut to deploy interchangeable defensive lineups. —
Olivia Nelson-Ododa Key Contributor [1.05] 15.0 Low [1.0] 4.5 3.7 0.6 1.3 21.21 Served as a developmental frontcourt reserve whose length helped protect the paint. Coverage noted improved positioning defensively and efficient finishing around the basket in limited opportunities. —
Tyasha Harris Bench [1.0] 16.7 Low [1.0] 5.8 0.9 1.7 0.8 18.40 Provided steady reserve point guard minutes, keeping the offense organized and limiting mistakes. Beat writers often highlighted her composure when stepping into larger roles because of injuries. —
Bernadett Hatar Bench [1.0] 7.8 Low [1.0] 2.0 1.5 0.2 1.0 9.40 Used situationally as a physical interior option. Limited independent reporting was available, with most coverage focusing on matchup-specific size rather than a regular rotation role. —
Leigha Brown Bench [1.0] 5.2 Low [1.0] 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.3 4.60 Worked mainly in developmental reserve minutes. Independent reporting centered on her adjustment to the professional game and offensive confidence rather than statistical production. —
Liz Dixon Bench [1.0] 5.3 Low [1.0] 1.0 0.5 0.3 0.3 4.20 Appeared only briefly during the regular season. Limited contemporary independent coverage discussed her development, largely framing her as frontcourt depth. —
Kristine Anigwe Bench [1.0] 2.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.60 Saw only brief action during the season. Limited contemporary independent coverage was available beyond roster-depth discussions. —
Lauren Cox Bench [1.0] 0.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Did not record meaningful playing time, leaving little season-specific independent analysis beyond roster status. —
Connecticut Sun Totals — 245.5 — 98.2 42.2 23.2 15.8 380.94 Veteran-led roster built around defensive versatility, half-court execution and lineup flexibility, finishing as one of the WNBA’s top regular-season teams. WNBA Semifinals (2023)

Playoffs

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Alyssa Thomas Starter/Star [1.1] 38.9 High [1.2] 18.1 8.0 10.3 2.0 101.90 Connecticut’s offense continued to run through Thomas as a point-forward, with virtually every half-court possession beginning in her hands. Playoff coverage highlighted New York’s efforts to clog her passing lanes, yet she still dictated tempo through elite vision, physical drives and relentless playmaking while anchoring the team’s identity. (Reddit) All-WNBA First Team (2023); WNBA All-Star (2023); All-Defensive First Team (2023); MVP Runner-up (2023)
DeWanna Bonner Starter/Star [1.1] 36.9 High [1.2] 18.1 8.3 3.4 2.6 85.54 Rather than simply spacing the floor, Bonner embraced difficult isolation possessions whenever Connecticut needed offense. Independent postseason analysis frequently praised her veteran shot creation, defensive length and willingness to shoulder late-game scoring responsibility. (CT Insider) WNBA All-Star (2023)
Tiffany Hayes Starter/Star [1.1] 26.1 Medium [1.1] 14.3 3.4 1.6 0.9 48.64 Hayes supplied downhill pressure that changed Connecticut’s pace whenever the offense stalled. Writers consistently pointed to her aggressive first step, transition attacks and defensive intensity as valuable complements to the Sun’s veteran core. (CT Insider) —
Rebecca Allen Key Contributor [1.05] 30.8 Medium [1.1] 9.7 5.5 1.7 3.0 45.74 Allen filled the classic 3-and-D role, but her playoff impact came just as much from defensive versatility as perimeter shooting. Coverage regularly noted her ability to switch across multiple positions and protect the rim as a weak-side helper. (Connecticut Sun) —
Tyasha Harris Bench [1.0] 21.9 Low [1.0] 9.3 1.0 2.4 0.7 26.80 Harris gave Connecticut steady reserve guard minutes, spacing the floor and keeping the offense organized when Thomas rested. Observers often credited her composed decision-making for stabilizing second-unit possessions during the postseason. (Connecticut Sun) —
Natisha Hiedeman Starter/Star [1.1] 22.0 Medium [1.1] 5.4 1.9 2.3 0.2 23.72 Hiedeman accepted a difficult two-way assignment throughout the playoffs, handling secondary creation while chasing opposing guards defensively. Even as her shot cooled, analysts continued to praise her competitiveness and defensive discipline. (Connecticut Sun) —
Olivia Nelson-Ododa Key Contributor [1.05] 15.4 Low [1.0] 4.3 3.4 0.6 1.9 21.42 Nelson-Ododa provided valuable frontcourt depth with active rim protection and efficient finishing around the basket. Independent reporting surrounding Connecticut’s rotation noted the trust she earned as an energetic reserve capable of matching the team’s defensive style. (Connecticut Sun) —
DiJonai Carrington Key Contributor [1.05] 13.7 Medium [1.1] 5.0 2.3 0.5 0.7 19.17 Carrington remained Connecticut’s emotional spark, bringing defensive pressure and hustle that often exceeded her box-score production. Playoff observers consistently highlighted the momentum she generated through ball pressure and relentless effort. (Reddit) Sixth Player of the Year (2023)
Leigha Brown Bench [1.0] 3.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.0 2.00 Brown saw only limited postseason action. Contemporary independent coverage of her playoff role was scarce, with most discussion centering on her value as developmental backcourt depth rather than rotation responsibilities. (Connecticut Sun) —
Connecticut Sun Totals — 208.7 — 84.2 34.9 22.8 11.9 374.93 Connecticut reached the 2023 WNBA Semifinals behind a defense-first identity, with Thomas orchestrating the offense while experienced wings and versatile role players supplied complementary playoff production. WNBA Semifinals (2023)