Although there is still some time before the WNBA needs to finalize rosters, several heads are turning towards the skills of Connecticut Sun rookies. While still in training camp mode for a few more days, their early impressions may be ones we see all season long.
Without knowing for sure that the Sun is the future for these young players, now is the time to think about the what-if. If signed, what will some of these training camp players bring to the table once it actually counts?
An All-Around Player From All Around the Globe
On draft night, the Connecticut Sun made their first selection with the twelfth pick. With a relatively high pick in a competitive class, the Sun selected France’s forward Nell Angloma. As an international player, the Sun are looking at Angloma’s history through the FIBA lens.
Also, like many international players, Angloma’s progression was cut short, as she is only 19 years old. Despite the forward’s young age, she made quite an impression during her time at FIBA.
Some of her most recent accolades include MVP for the FIBA U18 Women’s Eurobasket Tournament in 2024, as well as being named to the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup All-Star Second Team in 2025.
As a rookie, where growth is essential, the forward’s demonstrated progress isn’t hidden. With Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomération, where she held her first professional contract, she went from averaging 5.8 points per game to 15.5 points per game in the span of three years.
This includes a career-high game of 31 points, shooting 9-of-11 from the floor, including two triples. The Sun needs versatility this season, and Angloma is sure to serve them that.
From Los Angeles to New England
The Sun was certainly not shy to end draft night with nothing below National Championship levels. They took home two of the six UCLA Bruins women’s basketball players selected on draft night.
They took guards Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker at No. 15 and No. 18, respectively.
There was a clear goal to achieve for the Sun when selecting new faces: versatility.
The team doesn’t want to rely on the sole skills of one star player, but rather on a team collective. The impeccable skills in the paint by Angloma are sure to pair up nicely with these former Bruins.
Kneepkens is yet another rookie making her way to the Sun that is not shy of decorations – and that’s without her recent National Championship crown. Within her title season, she also earned Second-team All- Big Ten Honors. In the year prior, at the University of Utah, she was First-team All-Big 12.
The guard was certainly an essential part of the Bruins’ historic victory back in April, contributing 15 points and four assists against South Carolina. This was a key factor that led to the Bruins Women’s Basketball Team’s first-ever championship.
Kneepkens was definitely not the only guard that served a primary role in the Bruins’ big win. Leger-Walker, who was also a transfer into UCLA after playing with Washington State, served a variety of skills in the Bruins’ blowout.
Putting up 10 points in her final game against South Carolina, including two three-pointers, the guard is bringing in a versatile skillset. These skills are essential, especially with Leger-Walker’s stature, standing at just 5-foot-10.
Leger-Walker’s move to Los Angeles came after an equally impressive career with Washington State. There, the guard was a four-time All-Pac-12 Team honoree and Most Outstanding Player of the Pac-12 Tournament in 2023.
All Eyes on the Sun Rookies
These are just a few of the new faces the Sun are looking to get used to as they head into their final season in Connecticut.
There’s no better way to have eyes on the future than by giving the future a chance.
Leave a comment