The three rookies have all made a huge impact on a Connecticut Sun franchise that is in an era of rebuilding and uncertainty, with the news of a pending relocation and sale coming out this season. Lacan, Rivers and Morrow have all drowned out the outside distractions, not letting them affect their success on the court.
All three players have been a part of the Sun’s starting lineup more than once or are currently in the starting lineup. They have all been asked and expected to take on roles that rookies don’t usually take on.
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“I know that our record doesn’t reflect it, but we have some of the best rookies in the league,” Sun guard Marina Mabrey told The Next proudly.
Their coaches and teammates have been proud of the strides towards success they have taken and have said it has been rewarding to watch. There has definitely been a focus on developing their young stars this season.
“We want to … make them better,” head coach Rachid Meziane told reporters in a press conference. “So it can be about something technical, shooting ability, passing … the defense … and I feel like just putting them on the court, and … [giving] them [the] opportunity to translate what they practice during a competition.”
Meziane seems to speak highly of his rookies and puts a lot of trust in them during games. The performance from all three rookies this season has made them a strong case to be selected to the All-Rookie team.
Leïla Lacan
Lacan was selected by the Connecticut Sun No. 10 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft but had opted out of playing due to prior obligations to the French national team. Lacan, a combo guard, has a shiftiness to her game and a high IQ at the young age of 21.
Lacan is the only rookie this season with three or more games with four-plus steals. She is second in the league in steals per game and second among rookies in assists per game. Lacan knows her capabilities and sticks to what she knows when she is playing basketball.
“I just try to do my best,” Lacan told The Next. “Of course, my basketball is not perfect, and the only thing I can make sure [of] is to have no regrets and to be proud of myself in the end of the game, because I would have done my [best], and this is what I try to do every game.”
Meziane, being from France himself, is very familiar with Lacan’s game and has talked about the impact she has had this season.
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“She changed the team because she brings some aggressiveness, and she brings something different offensively,” Meziane told reporters. “She attacks the rim, she creates for her teammates, and she activates help. … And defensively, she’s everywhere, and she’s containing her one-on-one. She plays with a lot of energy, and she stabilizes our defense and brings something different offensively, because she can shoot the ball, and she’s a good passer.”
Lacan has earned respect from her teammates even after joining the team almost halfway through the season. She has proved that she is trustworthy, and her on-court intelligence has been huge for the Sun.
“Leïla has been taking the ball from everybody. I think she averages like the most steals in the league. She’s a rookie, she got here late, she’s great in transition, she can score. So to me, she should definitely be on All-Rookie team. … I know accolades don’t mean that much, but I think, definitely give credit where credit’s due. Leïla’s a dog,” Mabrey said.
Saniya Rivers
Rivers was the highest drafted player in NC State history after being selected No. 8 overall in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Sun. She is a versatile and extremely athletic player.
Rivers is the fastest guard in two decades to reach 50 or more steals and 25 or more blocks. She is first among rookies in blocks, third in steals and fourth in assists.
Sun guard Marina Mabrey, who has formed a close bond with Rivers this season, has watched her thrive in the WNBA as a rookie.
“Saniya is in the question for defensive player of the year,” Mabrey said. “So she’s done some things that no WNBA player has ever done, let alone a rookie. … I got Niya for defensive player of the year, and All-Rookie team, and at least all defensive team or something like that’s crazy.”
Rivers finds success in staying grounded in the present. After a challenging season and losing her mother just one month after being drafted, she has still been able to stay positive and impact her team.
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“Controlling what I can control, being where my feet are,” Rivers told The Next. “I can’t always control the ball going in the basket, but I can control my energy and effort. So that’s why I get after it on defense, because that’s something I can control. I’m not perfect. These players are amazing. I’m never going to hold anybody just to zero points, but I can do my best to slow them down and impact the game.”
Rivers was a part of the starting lineup for multiple games earlier in the season, but later, Meziane chose to play her off the bench. Her energy coming off the bench has been something that this team needed, especially in instances where they get off to a slower start in the first quarter.
“She’s playing with more confidence,” Meziane said. “She [is] aggressive on defense … and she creates sometimes offense from her defense. … She’s a really great piece for us.”
Aneesah Morrow
Morrow was drafted out of LSU by the Sun No. 7 overall in the 2025 WNBA draft. The Sun were looking for young talent to help build back up towards a future championship-contending team, starting with Morrow’s addition to their roster.
In college, Morrow frequently produced double-doubles, and she’s notched more than five already in her rookie season. Morrow has a knack for grabbing rebounds off the glass and is known for her strength in the paint, even though she is considered undersized for her position.
“Aneesah is one of the best rebounders in this league, I think for sure,” Mabrey said.
Morrow is the first Sun rookie to achieve 200 or more rebounds in over a decade and is second among rookies in rebounds per game (6.1).
“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!
Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.
“Well, it feels great,” Morrow told The Next when asked about her accomplishments this season. “I feel like my season didn’t start the way that I wanted it to. Just coming up here, rolling up my sleeves every day. I worked my ass off to get the opportunity to be in the starting lineup, but also prove that I could play. It doesn’t matter my size, it doesn’t matter any limitations that somebody set on me. I’m going to exceed that. And I feel like I’ve done that my rookie year.”
No matter her performance in each game, Morrow has kept a singular mindset throughout the entire season.
“My same mindset that I’ve always had throughout my career is just continue to be myself, be true to myself, but never give up on the goals that I have set,” Morrow told The Next. “Never let anybody’s limitations speak any volume within my life, and just continue to persevere through all challenges.”
Rookies bond together
Morrow, Rivers and Lacan have created a strong bond on and off the court, one that is special to them and has increased their on-court chemistry this season. They can be seen TikToking and dancing, but also working in the gym with a tenacious mindset to improve.
They have been able to lean on one another as they adjust to the pace and physicality of the WNBA in their early 20s.
“I think the most unique part is that we get along off the court, and we’re making a big impact on the court,” Rivers said with a smile. “We’re really popular, and I think it’s because of our personalities off the court, and I think it’s because it’s translated so well on the court.
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“I think another thing that makes us stand out is we feed off of each other’s energy, and we really feed off each other on the court. I think we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, so I think we really try to, just look out for each other, and I think that’s what makes us unique and stand out.”
The Sun have been eliminated from championship contention, but this trio looks to continue making strides to finish off the season and carry into next season. They are the future of the franchise and have stamped their loaded case for the All-Rookie team.
“It would be very high,” Sun center Tina Charles told The Next when asked about her case for the trio to make the All-Rookie team. “I think they’re turning corners. This is a great draft class, so it’s great to see just everyone’s evolution.”
