Sun to retire four numbers, honor two coaches this summer

With the Connecticut Sun moving to Houston next summer, the Sun will be taking the opportunity to retire the numbers of four players in the coming weeks – Tina Charles, Jasmine Thomas, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas and New York’s Jonquel Jones along with honoring former coaches and general managers Curt Miller and Mike Thibault.

Six Sun players have already had their numbers retired by the team.

Professional franchises generally wait until a player has retired to retire their number but with the franchise moving to Houston and becoming the Comets, there is no guarantee that players and coaches from Connecticut would be honored by the franchise. Most franchises re-issue retired numbers  in their new cities.

This is an opportunity for the fans of the Sun in Connecticut to provide one last roar of appreciation for all that they have done for the franchise in Uncasville.

“It’s incredibly important that we take the time to honor the people who built this franchise and shaped its identity over the last two decades,” said Jen Rizzotti, president of the Connecticut Sun. “These players and coaches gave everything to this organization, to our fans, and to the state of Connecticut. Their impact goes far beyond wins and statistics.  They created a standard of excellence, toughness, professionalism, and community that will always define the Connecticut Sun.”

These six honorees will join Taj McWilliams-Franklin (11), Margo Dydek (12), Nykesha Sales (42), Katie Douglas (23), Lindsay Whalen (13) and Asjha Jones (15) in the rafters at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Jones will be honored during the Sun’s game against New York on June 8 at 7 p.m.

Jasmine Thomas and Miller will be honored during the Sun’s game against Dallas on July 2 in Hartford at 8 p.m.

Charles, who finished her WNBA career with the Sun last season as the team’s leading scorer, will be honored during Connecticut’s game with Golden State on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. against Chicago on August 25.

Alyssa Thomas will be honored during the Sun’s game against Phoenix on August 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Thibault will be recognized during the Sun’s game against Minnesota on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. in Uncasville.

In a tweet, Miller posted, “Humbling honor by the Connecticut Sun. Truly a special place for our seven years, surrounded by outstanding players, assistant coaches, and staff.”

Jonquel Jones played for the Connecticut Sun from 2016-22, helping the Sun reach the WNBA finals twice in 2019 and 2022. She ranks sixth in franchise history with 196 games played and stands fifth all-time in points scored (2,657). One of the most dominant post players in team history, she ranks first in blocks (270) and third in rebounds (1,633). In team history, Jones is ninth in steals (178), seventh in three-pointers made (212), and third in double-doubles (68), solidifying her legacy as one of the most versatile and impactful players the Sun has ever had.

Jasmine Thomas played for the Sun from 2015-22, helping the squad reach two WNBA finals in 2019 and 2022. A true floor general, she ranks second all-time in assists (994) and steals (286), highlighting her leadership and two-way impact. Known as an iron woman during her time with the Sun, Thomas is third in franchise history in games played with 222 appearances and sits seventh all-time in scoring (2489).

Curt Miller served as the Connecticut Sun’s head coach and general manager from 2016 through 2022, compiling a 140–86 overall record and leading Connecticut twice to the WNBA finals in 2019 and 2022. Under his leadership, the Sun became a perennial championship contender with six consecutive playoff berths from 2017-22. He was the WNBA and Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2021. Miller is currently the general manager of the Dallas Wings.

Tina Charles was the No. 1 draft pick in the 2010 WNBA draft by the Sun and played for Connecticut for four years from 2010-13 before leaving to play in New York. She helped the Sun reach the Eastern Conference finals in 2012. She returned to Uncasville last year and was the team’s leading scorer at the age of 36. She ranks eighth in franchise history in games played with 173 appearances and is third all-time in points (2,943) and second in rebounds (1,658). She also ranks third in blocks (211) and stands alone as the franchise’s all-time leader in double-doubles (87).

Alyssa Thomas played 11 seasons in Connecticut from 2014-24 and is one of the most accomplished players in franchise history, leading the Sun to two WNBA final appearances in 2019 and 2022 and eight straight playoff appearances from 2017-24. She is the Connecticut Sun’s all-time leader in games (319), points (3,889), rebounds (2,396), assists (1,463), and steals (494), an extraordinary testament to her durability and all-around excellence.

Thomas also ranks sixth in blocks (104), second in double-doubles (82), and is the first and only player in Sun history to record a triple-double, a feat she managed 11 times during her Sun career.

Mike Thibault served as head coach of the Connecticut Sun from 2003-12, establishing a culture of sustained success. The Sun won two Eastern Conference championships in 2004 and 2005 to secure berths in the WNBA finals, which they lost to Seattle and Sacramento, respectively. The Sun also advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in 2012, falling to Indiana. Connecticut was 206-134 (.605) under Thibault, who was twice named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008. Thibault won a WNBA title as the head coach and general manager of the Washington Mystics, who beat the Sun in the finals in 2019.

Editor’s note: The date of Charles uniform retirement was changed on June 4.