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Sun extend Miller’s contract through 2021

Curt Miller, Connecticut’s general manager and head coach, led the Sun to the playoffs in his second season in Connecticut.

UNCASVILLE, Conn., Sept. 19 — The Connecticut Sun announced that head coach and general manager Curt Miller has been signed to a contract extension through the 2021 season. No terms were released. 

“I am truly excited to continue coaching and building the Connecticut Sun,” Miller said. “The long term commitment is greatly appreciated and I can’t begin to thank Mitchell Etess, Tom Cantone and Amber Cox enough for their belief in our direction and vision.  I would also like to thank the Mohegan Tribe for its amazing support. Most importantly, I love our players and their selfless desire to build a championship culture in Connecticut. I am blessed and fortunate to be a part of this franchise.”

Honored as the 2017 WNBA Coach and Executive of the Year and the 2017 Associated Press Coach of the year, Miller guided the Sun to a 21-13 record and a berth in the second round of the WNBA playoffs when they were eliminated by Phoenix, 88-83 in a one-game playoff.

After a 1-5 start, Connecticut won 19 of 24 games on the way to its best record since 2012. The Sun established new single-season franchise records for scoring average (86 points per game), made three-pointers (223) and three-point shooting percentage (.365) as the Sun reached the playoffs for the first time in five years.

The Sun overcame the preseason loss of star forward Chiney Ogwumike to an Achilles injury, and also weathered a number of other challenges. Forward Morgan Tuck missed 12 straight games with a knee contusion, veteran Lynetta Kizer missed 14 games with a back injury, starting forward Alyssa Thomas missed one game with a concussion and starting point guard Jasmine Thomas sat one game with an ankle sprain. The Sun also went without former All Star guard Alex Bentley, who missed three games while competing for Belarus in the 2017 FIBA EuroBasket Women’s Tournament.

“Curt is a masterful game planner who works tirelessly to prepare for each match-up,” Sun Vice President of Sports Amber Cox said. “He’s also done a tremendous job stepping into the general manager role, navigating through some adverse situations and ultimately guiding us back to the WNBA playoffs.”

Introduced as the third head coach in Sun history on December 17, 2015, Miller has compiled a 35-33 record over the past two seasons. Connecticut is 32-20 over the last 52 regular season games dating back to July 2, 2016.

“All of Curt’s basketball prowess aside, what makes him special is his commitment to culture,” Cox said. “The foundation of what he’s building is based on belief, trust and compassion – for his players, his staff, our loyal fans and this organization. He’s restored an energy to the Sun that’s palpable. We’re thrilled to make this long-term commitment to Curt and are excited about the franchise’s future with him at the helm.”

Since 2009, the Collinsville Press has been providing award-winning coverage of sports and news in the Farmington Valley and across Connecticut.

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