Uncasville, CT (May 18, 2023) – Today, the Connecticut Sun announced that the team has finalized its opening day roster.
The 2023 roster has five returners from the 2022 season including reigning WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, Brionna Jones, 2022 WNBA All-Star and All-WNBA Second Team member, Alyssa Thomas, and four-time WNBA All Star and league veteran, DeWanna Bonner. Natisha Hiedeman, the Sun’s 2022 starting point guard, along with three-year guard, DiJonai Carrington round out the returners for the 2023 season.
The Sun also welcome key roster pieces by way of off-season trades including ten-year league veteran, Tiffany Hayes. Guards Rebecca Allen, Leigha Brown and Tyasha Harris, forward, Lauren Cox and center, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, also join Connecticut for the first time this season.
Connecticut Sun Opening Day Roster*
| NO. | NAME | POS. | HT | Weight | DOB | EXP | FROM |
| 9 | Rebecca Allen | G | 6-2 | 159 | 11/6/92 | 7yrs | Australia |
| 24 | DeWanna Bonner | F-G | 6-4 | 140 | 8/21/87 | 13yrs | Auburn |
| 32 | Leigha Brown | G | 6-1 | 165 | 7/14/00 | R | Michigan |
| 21 | DiJonai Carrington | G-F | 5-11 | 175 | 1/8/98 | 2yrs | Baylor |
| 13 | Lauren Cox | F | 6-4 | 205 | 4/20/98 | 2yrs | Baylor |
| 52 | Tyasha Harris | G | 5-10 | 152 | 5/1/98 | 3yrs | South Carolina |
| 15 | Tiffany Hayes | G | 5-10 | 155 | 9/20/89 | 10yrs | Connecticut |
| 2 | Natisha Hiedeman | G | 5-8 | 135 | 2/10/97 | 4yrs | Marquette |
| 42 | Brionna Jones | F | 6-3 | 215 | 12/18/95 | 6yrs | Maryland |
| 10 | Olivia Nelson-Ododa | C | 6-5 | 176 | 8/17/00 | 1yr | Connecticut |
| 25 | Alyssa Thomas | F | 6-2 | 203 | 4/12/92 | 9yrs | Maryland |
*Every Connecticut Sun player uses she/her pronouns.
Head Coach: Stephanie White (she/her)
Assistant Coach: Briann January (she/her)
Assistant Coach: Austin Kelly (he/him)
Assistant Coach: Abi Olajuwon (she/her)
General Manager: Darius Taylor (he/him)
Assistant General Manager: Morgan Tuck (she/her)
Player Development Coach: Keith Porter (he/him)
Director of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel: Peter Feeney (he/him)
Pronunciation Guide:
Natisha Hiedeman – Nuh-tee-sha Hi-duh-min
DiJonai Carrington – Dee-juh-nay
DeWanna Bonner – Duh-wan-nuh
Tyasha (Ty) Harris – Ty-ay-sha
Leigha Brown – Lee-uh
Briann January – Bree-on
Abi Olajuwon – ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn
Connecticut will tip off the 2023 regular season on Friday, May 19 at the Indiana Fever at 7:00 PM EST. The Sun will return to Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, May 21 for its Home Opener against the Washington Mystics at 1:00 P.M. EST.
Established in 2003, the Connecticut Sun is a professional women’s basketball team in the Women’s National Basketball Association that takes residence at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. For additional information or to purchase season tickets, visit www.connecticutsun.com.
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