The Connecticut Sun's future hinges on a single, crucial factor: developing a young star. After a significant roster overhaul following the 2024 season, which saw the departure of key players like Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Sun are in a rebuilding phase. They've brought in fresh talent, including their 2024 first-round pick, Leila Lacan, and drafted Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers in the 2025 draft. A mid-season trade also added Aaliyah Edwards to their young core.
This rebuild is expected to be a marathon, not a sprint. With Rachid Meziane in his first season as head coach, the team is still searching for a marquee player to build around. Without a lottery pick in the upcoming draft, the 2026 season will be dedicated to nurturing the young talent and aiming for a high draft pick in 2027.
But here's where it gets exciting: If the coaching staff can unlock Saniya Rivers' offensive potential during the 2026 season, the Sun could have a star in the making sooner than anticipated.
Saniya Rivers has already proven herself to be a defensive powerhouse.
During her time at NC State, she was a two-time ACC All-Defensive Team member, and she's carried that defensive prowess into the WNBA. She led all rookies and guards in total blocks, showcasing her size, speed, athleticism, instincts, and basketball IQ.
Her defensive talent was on full display in Unrivaled, where she recorded six blocks against a team featuring notable players like Paige Bueckers and Rickea Jackson. This is particularly impressive in the three-on-three format, where defenders often face one-on-one situations or have to cover a lot of ground.
And this is the part most people miss... Rivers has significant room to grow as a scorer.
Offensively, her rookie season saw her average 8.8 points on 40.7% shooting from the field and 34.1% from three-point range. While a solid start, the potential for improvement is clear.
If Rivers can elevate her scoring ability, she could become one of the best young two-way guards in the league. Playing in Unrivaled will undoubtedly help her offensive development. So far, she has only had one standout scoring game, scoring 12 points against the Breeze. Over three games, she hasn't made a 3-pointer yet.
Given that Rivers is still adjusting to the unique format of Unrivaled, she'll have plenty of opportunities to hone her scoring skills before her second WNBA season.
Aaliyah Edwards is also showing great promise early in her second Unrivaled season, which could be a significant boost for the Sun this year.
Could Rivers become the cornerstone the Sun needs? What do you think about her potential and the team's rebuild strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
