The Connecticut Sun have made a resounding statement ahead of their final season in Uncasville, securing the signature of one of the WNBA’s most illustrious stars. Brittney Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star and a player with a résumé that sparkles with accolades, is officially joining the Sun on a multi-year, seven-figure deal. The move, confirmed by multiple reports on April 10, 2026, positions Griner at the heart of a franchise that’s about to turn the page on its Connecticut chapter and embark on a new era in Houston.
Griner’s arrival is more than just a headline—it’s a seismic shift for both the Sun and the league as a whole. At 35, the 6-foot-9 center is still a force to be reckoned with, and her presence will be felt on and off the court. After spending last season with the Atlanta Dream, where she averaged 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 51.8% from the field, Griner now brings her veteran leadership and championship pedigree to a Sun roster loaded with young talent.
The timing of the signing couldn’t be more significant. The 2026 WNBA season will be the Sun’s swan song in Uncasville before relocating to Houston, following a high-profile sale to the Fertitta family. The move is expected to reinvigorate women’s basketball in Houston, a city with a rich WNBA legacy—and Griner, who grew up in Houston and starred at Baylor, will finally get the chance to play in front of her hometown crowd, albeit after one more season in Connecticut.
Griner’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. She spent her first 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, where she was a lynchpin of the 2014 championship team alongside Diana Taurasi and DeWanna Bonner. Her accolades include six All-WNBA selections, seven All-Defense honors, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA. She’s also led the league in scoring twice and has been the WNBA’s top shot-blocker in eight different seasons. With just 18 more blocks, she’ll surpass Margo Dydek to become the all-time leader in that category—a milestone well within reach this upcoming season.
Beyond the numbers, Griner’s journey has been marked by resilience. In 2022, she was wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly 10 months, missing an entire WNBA season. Before that ordeal, she was runner-up in MVP voting to Jonquel Jones, underscoring her continued dominance in the league even as she approached her mid-thirties. Her return to the court has served as a testament to her strength, both physically and mentally.
Her most recent campaign with the Dream was a study in adaptation. Starting in her first 25 games before transitioning to a bench role for the final 14 contests—and all three playoff appearances—Griner’s willingness to embrace new challenges and support her team in whatever capacity needed speaks volumes about her professionalism. The Dream’s season ended in the first round of the playoffs, falling to the Indiana Fever in a series that saw Griner’s production dip to career lows. But those numbers hardly tell the full story of her impact, both as a mentor and as a competitor.
Now, Griner joins a Connecticut squad that’s brimming with promise. She’ll be teaming up with a young core featuring Saniyah Rivers, Aneesah Morrow, Aaliyah Edwards, Leïla Lacan, and Diamond Miller, the latter acquired in a recent trade. The Sun’s frontcourt, already known for its physicality and tenacity in the paint, should benefit enormously from Griner’s shot-blocking, rebounding, and interior scoring. Her career shooting percentage of 55.8% ranks third all-time in WNBA history, trailing only Sylvia Fowles and Crystal Langhorne, and she’s poised to add even more efficiency to a team that thrives on paint production.
Sun sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby captured the magnitude of the signing, noting that Griner is "one of the most decorated players in the history of the league and will be playing in her 13th season since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013." The deal also comes on the heels of the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, which has significantly increased player salaries and, for the first time, made a select group of athletes millionaires. Griner’s seven-figure contract is emblematic of this new era, one in which the league’s stars are finally being compensated in line with their contributions and stature.
The Sun aren’t the only team making waves this offseason. The Las Vegas Aces recently re-signed Jackie Young to a one-year, $1.19 million deal, signaling a broader shift in the WNBA’s financial landscape. The league’s commitment to investing in its players is paying dividends, with heightened interest and anticipation ahead of the 2026 campaign.
But all eyes are now on Connecticut as the season approaches. The Sun’s front office has made it clear that they intend to go out with a bang before the franchise’s move to Houston. Griner’s signing is more than just a roster move—it’s a statement of intent, a rallying cry for a championship push, and a nod to the future of the league. The Sun’s blend of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance could make them one of the most fascinating teams to watch this year.
Meanwhile, the 2026 WNBA Draft looms large on the horizon. Set for Monday, April 13, in New York, this year’s draft is wide open, with no consensus No. 1 pick and a host of rising stars ready to make their mark. The Sun, with their new centerpiece in Griner and a promising supporting cast, are well-positioned to leverage their picks and build for both the present and the future.
As the WNBA prepares for its 2026 tip-off on May 8, the Connecticut Sun stand at the crossroads of history and opportunity. With Brittney Griner anchoring the paint, a new era of women’s basketball in Houston on the horizon, and a league-wide surge in player empowerment, the stage is set for a season full of drama, milestones, and unforgettable moments. Fans in Connecticut and Houston alike have plenty to look forward to as the Sun chase glory in their final campaign before the big move.