Miller, Thomas to be honored Thursday with Bueckers, Fudd coming to Hartford

Connecticut guard Jasmine Thomas had 29 points as the Sun swept the Los Angeles Sparks to earn a spot in the 2019 WNBA finals against Washington.

It should be an exciting night to be in Hartford on Thursday. Sun fans will get a chance to show their appreciation for two legendary members of the franchise on Thursday night when Connecticut retires the uniform number worn by guard Jasmine Thomas and honor former head coach and general manager Curt Miller.

The two will be honored at halftime of Thursday night’s game between the Sun and the Dallas Wings at the People’s Bank Arena in Hartford beginning a 8 p.m.

It is the second of two games in Hartford this season for the Sun, who will be moving to Houston at the end of the season.

Former UConn stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, the two most recent No. 1 picks in the WNBA draft, will be on the floor for the visiting Dallas Wings. Miller is the executive vice president general manager of the Wings and Thomas is vice president of Basketball Operations and the assistant GM in Dallas.

After victories in six of eight games, Dallas (11-8) has dropped two straight games to Las Vegas and Minnesota. Bueckers leads the Wings in scoring with 19.9 points per game and a team-leading 5.9 assists per contest. Azzi is averaging 13.6 points in her rookie campaign.

The Sun (4-15) have won two straight with victories over Chicago and Washington after a seven-game losing streak.

Miller and Thomas were partners during a stretch of success in Connecticut that saw the Sun secure six straight WNBA playoff berths and two trips to the WNBA finals in 2019 and 2022, falling to Washington and Las Vegas, respectively.

Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller talks before game 3 of the WNBA finals in Uncasville.

Miller was a head coach (2016-22) and GM (2017-22) in Connecticut, compiling a 140-86 record. He was the WNBA and Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2021. Under his leadership, Connecticut became a championship contender, defined by its disciplined style of play and defensive identity.

“It was a special time in my career, and I fondly reflect on all our sustained success over the years. The ownership, leadership, and fan base were incredibly supportive of our players and staff,” Miller said. “We created a winning culture which ultimately led to a family-like feeling throughout the organization. I want to give special recognition to our fantastic players and outstanding coaching staff that helped create unprecedented success for the organization. The Connecticut Sun will always hold a special place in my heart.”

After leaving Connecticut, he spent two years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks before moving to Dallas in November 2024.

Thomas played for the Sun from 2015-22 and 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).

Her toughness, durability, and leadership helped define an era of Sun basketball and left an indelible mark on the franchise.

“I landed in Connecticut when I was still adjusting and figuring out who I was going to be in the league. I’m grateful for the coaches giving me the opportunity to develop,” Thomas said. “I enjoyed leaving everything I had out on the court, every game for the incredible teammates that I’m lucky to have played with. The Sun organization and their fans embraced and believed in me. The Sun and Mohegan will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Thomas was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft by Seattle and immediately traded to Washington where she spent two seasons before heading to Atlanta. She came to Connecticut and became the starting point guard, earning an All-Star berth in 2017 and leading the Sun to their first playoff berth since 2012.

Miller and Thomas will join an elite group of Sun Legends, including Jonquel Jones (35), Taj McWilliams-Franklin (11), Margo Dydek (12), Nykesha Sales (42), Katie Douglas (23), Lindsay Whalen (13), and Asjha Jones (15), all of whom have left a lasting mark on the franchise.

For the most up-to-date information on Sun Legends inductions, click HERE. The game will be broadcast on Prime.