The Connecticut Sun had quite the successful night on Monday at the 2025 WNBA draft. Heading in with the 7th and 8th overall picks, they selected former LSU star Aneesah Morrow and NC State small forward Saniya Rivers.
Both are excellent additions to the Sun roster, complimenting the upward prospect development and winning reputation that the franchise has set in recent years. The two draft picks were near the top of their class, being ranked the fourth- and seventh-best ranked prospects, according to ESPN.
Connecticut has had numerous successful seasons dating back to 2019, but have never been able to get the job done. Over the last six years, they've come up short in the Finals twice, and been sent home in the semi-finals the other four times.
With many, many roster changes this offseason, the team will have a much different look in 2025. After seeing the top players in DeWanna Bonner, DiJonai Carrington, Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones all heading to different teams, what Morrow and Rivers bring to the table should bring the excitement back for fans
Aneesah Morrow: 6'0" power forward, LSU
Over her four seasons in the NCAA, she really put herself on watch in 2024-25. So much, that despite being considered undersized for her position, her game spoke for itself and she knew it too, "I've accomplished what I have this year. I made history almost every time I stepped on the floor and I'm proud of that. You can't take that away from me. I've come a long way this season."
Morrow spent her first two seasons at DePaul University before transferring to LSU for her third and fourth campaign. This past year, she put up 18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per outing. Not only did she lead all of Division-1 with 30 double-doubles, she also led the division with 485 total rebounds. She joins only Courtney Paris to record 100+ double-doubles in D-1 history.
Given her position, she has a steady range from anywhere on the floor where she went 49% from the field and 28.9% from distance this year. That and her ability to create a shot from anywhere on the court is what the franchise hopes will fill numerous gaps.
Additionally, the subtractions of both Bonner and Thomas left a huge gap in the Sun's rebounding. Luckily, this double-double machine is the exact answer to what is needed.
Saniyah Rivers: 6'1" small forward, NC State
If you're looking for a 'Jack of all Trades', look no further. Rivers demonstrated in her four-year collegiate career with both South Carolina and NC State that no matter where she was needed to perform on the hardwood, she can.
The 6'1" forward stands out in the transition game, being able to find open teammates on the fast break or even take it all the way herself. She wrapped up her fourth year with 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists to go along with 1.6 steals a game.
Much like Morrow, the NC State alumnus is a versatile player that can help in more than one area for the Sun. As an All-ACC First-Team player, she excels on the defensive end just as much as when it's time to score. Despite her long-range game needing some work, only shooting 22.9% from three-point range in college she was able to average 41.9% from the floor this past year.
Final take
For a Connecticut team who's next season has lots of uncertainties after significant offseason subtractions, they're put in the work to make up for what was lost. If the two first rounders along with second-round pick Rayah Marshall prove one thing about the future of the franchise, their winning ways will not be lost for long, if at all with proper transition into the W.