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2024 Season Review: Has the Connecticut Sun’s championship window closed?

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2024 Season Review: Has the Connecticut Sun’s championship window closed?


In many ways, 2024 was a characteristic Connecticut Sun season.

The team exceeded expectations, propelled by their toughness, tenacity and just enough timely shotmaking to finish with a 28-12 record and at No. 3 in the league standings. Alyssa Thomas bullied her way to triple-doubles. DeWanna Bonner played with ageless energy. DiJonai Carrington established herself as a star in her role. Brionna Jones returned to her pre-injury efficiency. Midseason addition Marina Mabrey immediately imbibed the Sun’s signature intensity. Ty Harris emerged as a solid two-way starting point guard. Veronica Burton earned playing time with her aggressive perimeter defense.

The Sun have a blueprint for regular-season success. But in the postseason, they once again hit a ceiling. Connecticut took the Minnesota Lynx to Game 5 of the semifinals before they gave out, their effortfulness unable able to overcome their opponent’s more efficient execution.

This time, however, might have been the last time that this era of Sun basketball replayed this script. So, what went right, what went wrong and what’s next for Connecticut?

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What went right for the Sun?

DiJonai Carrington and Marina Mabrey.
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
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DeWanna’s not done

Although she made it clear during her exit interview that this was NOT her final WNBA season, DeWanna Bonner’s play throughout her 15th season should have made it obvious that the 37-year-old is not done.

Bonner keeps churning out similarly solid seasons. This year, that meant averages of 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and nearly two “stocks” (steals+blocks) per game. Those numbers, however, fail to capture all she still does for Connecticut. She is a 6-foot-4 Swiss Army Knife, possessing a combination of enviable length and sneaky strength that can be deployed across all positions on both ends of the floor.

Her longevity and consistency has resulted in a rise up the ranks of WNBA records. Having played the third-most regular-season games in league history at (502), she is fourth all-time in points (7482, just six points behind Tina Thompson for third) and ninth all-time in rebounds (3067, and again just three behind Thompson). In the playoffs, she’s scored the second-most points (1191), grabbed the third-most rebounds (593, five behind Tamika Catchings for second) and snagged the third-most steals (105, three behind Candace Parker for second).

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DiJonai’s earned improvement

Analysts and fans often bemoan the lack of opportunity for all but the highest-drafted WNBA players, as roster limitations frequently result in players selected outside the lottery struggling to find a WNBA home. Because of this structural reality, players who succeed in spite of less-than-favorable circumstances deserve all the more credit. DiJonai Carrington is now the ideal archetype of such a player.

The No. 20 overall selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft, Carrington has molded herself into a valuable player: a lockdown defender, a transition threat, a smart cutter and still-refining outside shooter. In 2024, her hard work culminated in the Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team.

And while Carrington deserves the majority of the credit for her growth, Connecticut also fostered the conditions necessary for her to blossom into the player she has become. The team’s other young vets—Ty Harris, Veronica Burton and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, all of whom began their WNBA careers with other organizations—also have experienced steady improvement in Uncasville, with all three establishing themselves as players who should enjoy long careers in the league because of their ability to contribute to a winning team.

Call me Mabrey!

Midseason trades in the WNBA are rare. Those that actually matter are even rarer. Yet, the Sun’s midseason swing for Marina Mabrey proved the perfect match.

Without the gun-slinging guard from the Chicago Sky, Connecticut likely would not have lasted until Game 5 of the semifinals. Mabrey, whether as a starter or sixth player, provided scoring juice for the Sun, fearlessly firing up jumpers. If she missed, she’d not hesitate when taking the next one. After makes, she’d celebrate with a snarl, expertly embodying the spirit of the Sun.

Her regular-season scoring and efficiency improved after joining the Sun, as she scored almost 15 points per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and better than 42 percent from 3. In the playoffs, she increased her production to almost 16 points per game.

What went wrong for the Sun?

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Connecticut Sun v New York Liberty

Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones.
Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images

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Not their best against the best

The Sun started the season with nine-straight wins. They then were 12-1 through the season’s first 13 games.

That first loss came to the New York Liberty. Their second and third losses, experienced back-to-back in the 14th and 15th games of the season, were to the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm. That’s three playoff teams that finished the season with winning records. For the season, Connecticut went 1-2 against New York, 0-3 against Vegas and 1-2 against Seattle. Their regular-season mark against Minnesota, the only other team to finish with a winning record, was 2-1. So when facing the league’s best teams, the Sun were a subpar 4-8.

Connecticut can be counted on to take care of business against the league’s mediocre and underwhelming teams. That’s not something that should be taken for granted, as winning consistently in the best women’s basketball league in the world is difficult. But the Sun do it, bringing their brand of physical, defense-first ball to the court regardless of what team is on the other side. What they haven’t quite cracked, though, is what to do when their brand of ball doesn’t work, when the opponent’s skills, strategy and stars can outpace and outlast the Sun’s grinding, gut-it-out approach.

Connecticut is good. They’re very good. But in 2024, just as in season’s prior, they were not good enough to beat the best and, in turn, win a WNBA title.

What’s next for Connecticut?

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Indiana Fever v Connecticut Sun - Game One

Stephanie White and Veronica Burton.
Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

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A coming Sun-set?

Was 2024 the last time that Connecticut hit their ceiling?

Thomas, Bonner and Jones are unrestricted free agents. Will the Sun choose to again outlay large salaries to trio when it seems less and less likely that next year will be the year when they finally will breakthrough and capture the franchise’s first, elusive championship? Or, with expansion and a new CBA on the horizon, will Connecticut choose to retool and build around a new core that, eventually, could bust through that ceiling and bring a title to Uncasville?

Because the three are unrestricted free agents, the choice does not belong to the Sun organization. (Thomas is eligible to be cored; Bonner and Jones are not.) The players themselves could opt for new opportunities. The team, however, will have a say over the future of Carrington, who is a restricted free agent. The organization also can unilaterally choose to retain Burton, a reserved player. As Mabrey and Nelson-Ododa are the only players on guaranteed contracts for 2025, Connecticut has flexibility, which they can use to work with Thomas, Bonner and/or Jones to ensure they remain in Sun uniforms or to build the next iteration of the Sun.

Whether Stephanie White will be the head coach of whatever the Sun look like in 2025 also is a question. When reporting on the Chicago Sky’s coaching search, Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times indicated that White is not expected to return. It is unclear if this decision is being initiated by White, who may see a more favorable coaching opportunity elsewhere, or the team’s management, which might seek a head coach who is not in line for an extension and higher salary, especially if the team’s stars do not return.

In short, don’t be surprised if significant upheaval happens in Uncasville this offseason.

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A look at Kathie Lee Gifford’s $100 million Connecticut home

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A look at Kathie Lee Gifford’s 0 million Connecticut home


Luxury Homes

Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994.

Kathie Lee Gifford’s house at 108 Cedar Cliff in Riverside, Conn., is listed for $100,000,000. Modern Media

Former “Today” show host Kathie Lee Gifford is selling her sprawling 13,163-square-foot Connecticut home. The asking price? $100,000,000.

Dubbed “Cedar Cliff,” the Greenwich estate at 108 Cedar Cliff in the Riverside section of town, was once owned by railroad tycoon Henry F. Shoemaker. Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994 for $7.8 million . The 13,163-square-foot, 29-room estate has eight bedrooms and 14 bathrooms (nine full, five half).

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The rear of the house at 108 Cedar Cliff in the Riverside section of Greenwich. – Modern Media
The pool overlooks Greenwich Cove. – Modern Media

“They added a substantial addition to the house to make it work for their lifestyle,” listing agent Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty said. That addition is the east wing of the house, constructed in the early 2000s, which includes a private theater and wine cellar.

The eight bedrooms are similarly sized and have views of Greenwich Cove. The primary bedroom and two guest bedrooms have a balcony as well. The estate has a greenhouse, a screened porch, a sun room, a tennis court, and a billiards room currently containing Frank Gifford memorabilia. There are 10 fireplaces throughout the house.

The tennis court. – Modern Media
The billiards room currently contains Frank Gifford memorabilia. – Daniel Milstein
The screened-in porch. – Daniel Milstein

Within the 2.91-acre gated peninsula is a spa, pool, and pool house.

McElwreath said “empty nester” Gifford is selling the property because “her children are grown and are married with their own children. Kathie Lee spends most of her time in Tennessee and is no longer using the house full-time.”

The house has a recently installed Ludowici terra cotta roof, sun decks that have been rebuilt, and there is access to a full-property generator as well as a private beach.

The spa pool. – Modern Media

McElwreath said there are additional aspects that make this property worth the monstrous price tag.

“The setting is extraordinary. Elevated high above the water with over 1,250 feet of frontage, the property offers the rare combination of commanding panoramic views and direct waterfront access via a private pier and deep water dock,” she said.

McElwreath said the kind of buyer looking at this property is attracted to Greenwich for its high quality of life and proximity to Midtown Manhattan.

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The primary bedroom at Kathie Lee Gifford’s Connecticut house. – Daniel Milstein
A guest balcony. – Modern Media

”High net-worth buyers do not compromise. They seek exceptional properties in prime locations. Cedar Cliff is a one-of-a-kind opportunity and will attract buyers looking for privacy and resort-like amenities,” McElwreath said.

The task of selling the estate was entrusted to McElwreath by Gifford after McElwreath represented the seller of Copper Beech Farm in Greenwich, which sold for just under $139,000,000 in 2023.

The property has a private dock. – Modern Media

“[Copper Beach] is still the highest sale ever in Greenwich and the state of Connecticut. I plan to use the full resources of Sotheby’s International Realty to find the buyer for Cedar Cliff,” McElwreath said. “I also represented the seller of 100 Field Point Circle, the second highest sale in Greenwich at $50 million. My proven track record, combined with the marketing expertise of Sotheby’s, will prove to be a winning combination.”






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Hailey Van Lith waived by Connecticut Sun after just nine games, marking second cut in under a month

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Hailey Van Lith waived by Connecticut Sun after just nine games, marking second cut in under a month


Hailey Van Lith’s rocky WNBA start took another unexpected turn Thursday.

The Connecticut Sun waived Van Lith after just nine games with the team, including three starts.

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 25: Hailey Van Lith #2 of the Chicago Sky high five during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 25, 2025 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images))

TCU’s Hailey Van Lith poses before the WNBA basketball draft in New York on April 14, 2025. (Pamela Smith/AP)

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Van Lith was once one of college basketball’s brightest stars at Louisville, but her path has become increasingly turbulent in recent years. After a disappointing stint at LSU stalled her momentum, Van Lith revived her draft stock with a standout final season at TCU.

CHICAGO SKY WAIVE HAILEY VAN LITH ONE YEAR AFTER SELECTING HER WITH THE 11TH OVERALL PICK

The former NIL standout was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She struggled to establish herself as a rookie, averaging 3.5 points and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes per game across 29 appearances before Chicago waived her on May 4.

Hailey Van Lith’s brief stint with the Connecticut Sun ended Thursday after the franchise waived the former first-round pick. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images) ((Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images))

Hailey van Lith drives past opponents during the women’s 3×3 basketball bronze medal game between the United States and Canada at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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TCU’s Hailey Van Lith jogs onto the court during introductions before the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament game against Louisville in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 23, 2025. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

Van Lith also helped Team USA win a bronze medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Connecticut quickly gave Van Lith a second chance, but the reunion lasted just over two weeks.

“The Connecticut Sun has activated Leïla Lacan,” the team announced on X. “In a corresponding move, Hailey Van Lith has been waived.”

EX-WNBA STAR CRITICAL OF SKY ROOKIE HAILEY VAN LITH, BELIEVES POPULARITY PLAYED ROLE IN DRAFT SELECTION

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The move comes as Lacan — the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft — returns after averaging 10.4 points and 3.7 assists with Connecticut last season.

Van Lith appeared in Wednesday’s 71-61 loss to Portland, finishing with seven points, no assists and two turnovers in 13 minutes.

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Van Lith averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists in nine appearances with Connecticut before Thursday’s move, marking her second waiver in less than a month.

The Connecticut Sun waived Hailey Van Lith on Thursday, ending the former college star’s nine-game stint with the franchise. ((Photo by Mollie Handkins/NBAE via Getty Images))

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Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela 





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Connecticut Regulates AI in Employment Decision Making » CBIA

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Connecticut Regulates AI in Employment Decision Making » CBIA


The following article was submitted by Brody and Associates, LLCIt is posted here with permission. 


The Connecticut legislature passed broad artificial intelligence legislation May 11, 2026 that includes a new framework governing the use of AI in employment-related decisions.

The bill, known as SB 5, is awaiting Gov. Ned Lamont’s signature, which is expected shortly.

Once enacted, Connecticut will join a growing list of jurisdictions that are imposing transparency and accountability requirements on employers that use AI tools in recruiting, hiring, promotion, discipline, scheduling, and termination decisions.

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The statute regulates what it calls automated employment-related decision technology.

In general, AEDT refers to technology that processes personal data and generates an output that is a substantial factor in an employment decision.

The definition is broad enough to potentially cover resume-screening software, applicant ranking systems, video-interview analytics, skills assessments, productivity tools, and certain workforce management platforms when those tools materially influence personnel decisions.

What Does the Law Require?

The purpose of the law is to reduce the risk that algorithmic systems will continue or worsen historic discrimination while also giving applicants and employees more visibility into how these systems are used.

One of the most important features of the new law is its notice requirement.

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Beginning Oct. 1, 2027, employers that deploy AEDT intended to interact with applicants or employees must disclose, in plain language, that the individual is interacting with such technology unless it would be obvious to a reasonable person.

When the tool’s output will be used as a substantial factor in making an employment-related decision, the employer must also provide a written notice before the decision is made.

The law does include protection for proprietary or trade secret information.

Notice must identify the purpose of the tool, the categories and sources of personal data being analyzed, how data will be assessed, and contact information for the employer.

If such employment-related decision is “adverse,” employers must provide a high-level statement disclosing the principal reasons for the decision, including “the degree to which, and manner in which” an AEDP output contributed to the decision, the type of data used, and the right to examine or correct such data.

The law does include protection for proprietary or trade secret information, but employers should not assume that vendor confidentiality excuses them from compliance.

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If an employer withholds certain information regarding the AEDP based on a third party’s confidentiality claim, the employer must nevertheless disclose that the information is being withheld and identify the legal basis for the withholding.

As a practical matter, this means employers that rely on outside vendors for screening, testing, or candidate evaluation should begin reviewing vendor contracts now to ensure they can obtain the information needed to satisfy Connecticut’s notice obligations.

Anti-Discrimination and Related Obligations

The law also makes clear employers cannot avoid liability by blaming an algorithm.

Connecticut’s anti-discrimination framework will expressly provide the use of AI or automated systems is not a defense to a discrimination claim.

The employer may still be responsible even if the challenged output came from a third-party platform.

In other words, if an AEDT disproportionately screens out candidates or influences decisions in a way that has an unlawful discriminatory effect, the employer may still be responsible even if the challenged output came from a third-party platform.

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This provision reinforces a principle regulators have increasingly emphasized nationwide: employers remain accountable for employment decisions, whether those decisions are made by people, software, or a combination of both.

What Employers Should Do Now

For employers, the immediate takeaway is AI governance can no longer be treated as an IT issue.

Human resources, legal, compliance, and procurement teams should collaborate to identify all tools used in recruiting or personnel management, assess whether those tools materially affect employment decisions, and determine what disclosures this new law may require.

Even companies that already use AI responsibly may need to formalize review procedures.

Employers should also assess whether internal policies, vendor agreements, and recordkeeping practices are sufficient to support compliance.

Even companies that already use AI responsibly may need to formalize review procedures, conduct bias testing, and create documentation explaining how automated outputs are considered by human decision-makers.

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Connecticut’s new law reflects a broader regulatory trend: employers may continue using AI, but they must do so transparently, carefully, and with meaningful human accountability.


About the authors: Robert Brody is managing partner at Brody and Associates, LLC, which he founded in 1997. Matthew Chiota is a law clerk at Brody and Associates, awaiting admission to the Connecticut and New York Bar associations. Contact them at [email protected] or 203.454.0560.



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