The Connecticut Sun honored Alyssa Thomas by retiring her No. 25 jersey on Friday night. Thomas, who played for the franchise for 11 years, was pivotal in leading the team to two WNBA Finals and six consecutive playoff semifinals. With the team set to move to Houston next year, the Sun have been celebrating their former stars this season. During the ceremony, Thomas received chants of ‘AT’ from the crowd and a standing ovation as fans recognized her contributions to the team.
Before I got here they won a lot of basketball games and you know I was a part of the rebuilding, getting it back to where it was. “What a heck of a ride we had here. Sad to see it go. I will never forget the memories, the hard fought battles we had here. Bottom of my heart thank you. I love you guys. “I think it’s forever my nickname. “It definitely started here. She appeared to get a little choked up, but made it through without crying. That was something her partner and teammate DeWanna Bonner was worried about.
“It was a great 11 years.
This place truly meant something to me,” Thomas said to the crowd. That’s what everyone knows me by,” Thomas said.
Thomas wasn’t sure before the game how she would handle the emotions of the ceremony.
She was the centerpiece of the franchise for so many years, playing through injuries, including torn rotator cuffs. She is the team’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, games, minutes and assists She was affectionately known as the engine by the fans for her work ethic and how she made the team go. Thomas left Connecticut for Phoenix after the 2024 season. She was the heart of Connecticut after the team got her in 2014 in a trade on draft night that was held at Mohegan Sun.
