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Lexie Brown tops the Connecticut Sun’s 2018 WNBA draft class

By Erica Ayala

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Lexie Brown poses for a portrait after being selected number nine overall by the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Draft on April 12, 2018 in New York, New York at the Nike New York Headquarters. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Lexie Brown poses for a portrait after being selected number nine overall by the Connecticut Sun during the WNBA Draft on April 12, 2018 in New York, New York at the Nike New York Headquarters. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Another versatile guard, Lexie Brown, makes Curt Miller’s Sun team that much more dangerous

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NEW YORK—With the ninth overall pick, the Connecticut Sun selected guard Lexie Brown from Duke University. Brown tops the Connecticut Sun 2018 WNBA Draft class and will be another spark off the bench looking to propel the Sun toward a second top-three top three finish.

The Sun took the league by storm last season as the young team of the tomorrow finding a way to win in 2017. Jonquel Jones had a standout season. She became the league-leading rebounder in the league en route to the Most Improved Player for the 2017 season. Additionally, Curt Miller won Coach of the year and Executive of the Year for the franchise.

So, how will Brown fit into a team looking to advance beyond the second round of the WNBA playoffs? Likely through defense. The graduate student recalls the brief conversation she had with head coach Curt Miller prior to the draft, “he asked about what I was going to wear, which I really loved that,” said Brown through a smile.

Know your Role

With the important business out of the way, Miller also set the record straight. He was looking for a skilled role player to support the backcourt and asked if the All-American third team guard could handle that. “Absolutely I’ll be able to handle that,” Brown said. “I want to just bring as much positive energy, as much defense, and scoring if necessary to the team.” 

Related Story: 2018 WNBA Draft: Round 1, Ninth Pick

Connecticut played an uptempo game last season. Quick guards with quick hands on defense making stops and running the ball suits the team well. Brown, when asked if she has any solid defensive players in the league that she looks up to mentioned two Duke alumna: Alana Beard and now teammate Jasmine Thomas.  “I can’t wait to learn from [Jasmine]. The way [the Sun] play defense is incredible. They give everything they have on both sides the floor and I think that’s how the game should be played.” 

Basketball Family

Of course, Brown knows a thing or two about basketball. She is a smart player from a storied Duke program. She also happens to have a proud father who played for the Boston Celtics. These days, he works with the Los Angeles Clippers. Dee Brown was the epitome of a proud father, wearing his Connecticut Sun hat as the media converged to get his thoughts on the WNBA Draft.

“She’s a rookie, she’s at the bottom of the totem pole and she understands that,” Dee Brown told High Post Hoops. He is also excited to see his daughter reunited with Alyssa Thomas, who was Lexie’s teammate on the 2013-14 Maryland squad that reached the Final Four. The Sun struggled for a time last season when Jasmine Thomas was out with an injury. Brown has the skill, the basketball IQ, and the humility to be a pivotal option off the bench.

The Connecticut Sun also selected Mikayla Cowling from Cal in the third round. The Sun traded away the 15th overall pick to the Atlanta Dream for Bria Holmes and picks in the 2019 WNBA Draft. Atlanta drafted Monique Billings at 15 last night.

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