Uncasville, Conn. (February 4, 2021) – The Connecticut Sun announced today the team has signed Jasmine Thomas to a multi-year contract, welcoming the point guard back for her seventh season in a Sun uniform in 2021.
Per team policy, no details were announced.
“Jasmine has been our consistent and reliable leader on and off the court during our era of success,” said Curt Miller, head coach and general manager. “She is a true professional with her preparation and effort. She impacts the game at both ends of the court and has a contagious will to win. I am excited to continue on our journey together.”
Thomas arrived to Connecticut in 2015 where she has since helped turn the Sun into a championship contender. With Thomas starting at point guard, the Sun has become one of the most successful franchises in the WNBA, turning a 15-19 record in 2015 to three straight 20+ win seasons beginning in 2017. Additionally, Connecticut has made four straight playoff appearances, including a WNBA Finals appearance in 2019.
Over her six-year span with the Sun, Thomas has appeared in 187 games with 186 starts. An iron woman for the club, the WNBA All-Star (2017) has missed only five regular season contests during her tenure. Last season, Thomas was key to the Sun’s stellar finish, advancing to Game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals after an 0-5 start to the season.
In the 22-game condensed season, the Duke alum saw action in 19 games and averaged 10.2 points per game, 4.0 assist and 1.3 steals. She ranked second on the team in total assists (76) and fourth in total points (194) and steals (24), respectively.
Thomas ranks second all-time in assists (858) in franchise history, behind only Lindsay Whalen (964). In addition, she is seventh in games played (187) and eighth in points (2,139). Thomas is also 18th all-time in WNBA assists (1,177).
In addition to her offensive accomplishments, Thomas has consistently been one of the top defensive guards in the WNBA. The 5-9 guard has been named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2017, 2018, 2019) and the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team once (2016). She has swiped 343 steals and grabbed 734 defensive rebounds in her stellar career. Her totals rank her 55th and 91st all-time in the WNBA, respectively.
Originally selected 12th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2011 WNBA Draft, Thomas was later traded to Washington before the start of the season. After spending two years with the Mystics, she was traded to Atlanta where she made a WNBA Finals appearance in 2013 before finding her long-term WNBA home with Connecticut.
“I’m happy to continue my career with the Sun,” Thomas said. “I value the relationships I’ve built over the years with my teammates, coaches, front office and the Tribe. Connecticut feels like home for me and I’m determined to help bring that first championship to the organization. We’ve been too close; I couldn’t stop now.”
In addition to Thomas’s efforts on the court, she’s been instrumental in the Sun’s community efforts as well. Thomas has been at the forefront of the Sun’s Breast Health Awareness campaign, raising funds for the Kay Yow Foundation the past two seasons. For her efforts, she received a Community Assist Award in 2019 for the month of August.