Sun make moves by sending Montgomery, draft picks to Seattle for two veterans

Renee Montgomery drives to the basket against Phoenix.

UNCASVILLE, Conn., Jan. 28, 2015 – The Connecticut Sun isn’t standing still. The Sun has acquired veterans Camille Little and Shekinna Stricklen from the Seattle Storm in exchange for point guard Renee Montgomery and the No. 3 and 15 picks in the upcoming 2015 WNBA draft.

Last week, the Sun announced that last year’s WNBA rookie of the year and No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, forward Chiney Ogwumike, underwent successful microfracture knee surgery. She is expected to have a full recovery but will probably be out of action through July – which is about the midway point of the upcoming season. The Sun aren’t willing to stand pat after an injury riddled 10-24 campaign a year ago.

“This is a significant move for both teams,” said Chris Sienko, the Sun’s vice president and general manager. “Based on our immediate needs, Camille and Shekinna help fill specific roles now and in the future. Of course, to get value, you have to trade value. We wish Renee much success in the future.”

Little is a 6-foot-2 forward who has averaged 9.6 points and 4.9 rebounds during eight seasons in the WNBA. Originally drafted in the second round (17th overall) out of North Carolina by the San Antonio Silver Stars, she also played for the Atlanta Dream before settling in as a fixture in the Storm lineup.

Since 2009, Little has played in 202 of a possible 204 games for Seattle, starting all of them. In that span, she scored 2,182 of her 2,561 career points, averaging 10.8 points per game. Last year, she averaged a career-high 12.9 points per game.

“Camille is a player we’ve had eyes on for quite a while,” Sun coach Anne Donovan said. “She has championship experience that will be extremely valuable as we continue to develop our young talent. She is a premier small forward in the WNBA and a stretch four we are excited to acquire.”

Stricklen is a 6-foot-2 guard/forward who was chosen No. 2 overall in the 2012 WNBA draft out of Tennessee. She has averaged 8.4 points in three seasons with the Storm, and scored a career-high 10 points per game in 2013. She has 138 career threes, and has shot 34.8 percent from behind the arc in the WNBA.

“We are super excited to get another young talent like Shekinna,” Donovan said. “She has proven to be a consistent threat from the three point line. Her length, athleticism and experience are a needed addition to our perimeter.”

Montgomery played five seasons in Connecticut, averaging 11.4 points per game. She stands fifth all-time in team history with 245 made threes, and her 543 assists with the Sun rank third. The six-year pro was originally acquired on January 12, 2010 along with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft, in exchange for Lindsay Whalen and the No. 2 pick. Connecticut used the top pick to obtain Tina Charles. 

Connecticut opens the 2015 season on June 5th at home against Washington at 7 p.m.