Griffin, Laney Invited To Camp
Uncasville — The Connecticut Sun announced that Leticia Romero has signed her rookie contract while free agents Kelsey Griffin and Betnijah Laney agreed to training camp contracts.
No terms were released.
A native of Las Palmas, Spain who was the first three-time All American in the history of the Florida State women’s program, Romero was selected by the Connecticut Sun in the second round (16th overall) of the 2017 WNBA Draft. It was understood that the 5-foot-8 guard would not play in the WNBA in 2017 because of commitments made to the Spanish National Team.
“After a year wait, we are excited to have signed Romero and look forward to having her in camp,” Connecticut Sun General Manager and Head Coach Curt Miller said. “She is a versatile guard who can play on and off the ball.”
Romero led Spain to its first Olympic women’s basketball medal (silver) at Rio in 2016, and is currently averaging 10.6 points, 7.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals for ZVVZ USK Praha in the Czech Republic. Romero led FSU to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight in 2017, and finished as the ACC’s all-time leader in three-point shooting percentage (47.7 percent). She also made 48.1 percent of her field goal attempts and 83.7 percent of her free throws at FSU. As a senior, she was 48.6 from the field, 50.9 percent from three-point range and 88.9 percent from the line.
Griffin is a former Sun player originally selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the No. 3 pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft. The 6-foot-2 forward was traded to the Sun during the draft, and appeared in 164 games in five seasons with Connecticut.
Griffin has played in Australia with the Bendigo Spirit since 2012. She earned WNBL Grand Final MVP honors in 2013 and 2014 while helping the Spirit win consecutive league titles, and is a four-time team MVP. Now an Australian citizen, she was the MVP of the Asia Cup in July after averaging 17.9 points and 9.1 rebounds while leading Australia to the Silver Medal. A teammate of Rachel Banham in Bendigo this season, Griffin was averaging 16.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game through six games before she was sidelined with a hip injury that required surgery in November.
“Kelsey is a veteran forward with tremendous basketball IQ,” Miller said. “She is well respected by her teammates and is consistently described as a great leader, hard worker, and supportive teammate. She is ahead of schedule with her rehab and we are excited to welcome her back to Connecticut.”
Laney is a 6-foot guard/forward who also played for Bendigo this past season, averaging 14.7 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Spirit. Originally selected out of Rutgers in the second round of the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky, she appeared in 40 games in 2015 and 2016. Her 2016 season ended when she tore an anterior cruciate ligament on June 3. She was waived by the Sky during training camp in 2017.
“Betnijah is a physical and aggressive wing player that can guard multiple positions,” Miller said. “She plays with a high motor and competitiveness that is hard to teach. We are excited that she has signed with us and look forward to working with her in camp.”
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