Connecticut Sun, Jasmine Thomas agree to terms

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Jasmine Thomas and the Connecticut Sun have agreed to a multi-year deal that will keep Thomas in Connecticut. Rachel Galligan reported it first, and The Next has confirmed this with a league source.

Thomas has been a critical part of the team’s success since she arrived in 2015, including being named an All Star in 2017 and to the All-Defensive First Team in 2018 and 2019. 

Despite missing several games in 2020 due to injury, she averaged 10.2 points, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 25.5 minutes per game. Thomas scored a career-high 31 points on Sept. 20 in a critical Game 1 in the WNBA semifinals against Las Vegas. 

Throughout even the most stressful situations, Thomas provides a calm, steady presence on the court and has helped lead her team deep into the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Her consistency has been critical to the team’s success over the last several years. 

Thomas and Briann January paired well together last season — of all two-person lineups with at least 100 minutes last season, they had the highest net rating of any Sun teammates, at 27.8. While both players play defense well separately, some of the team’s best defense was played with both of them on the court.

Thomas is a leader on and off the court for Connecticut, commanding the floor during games and leading some of the team’s social justice initiatives as well. She was active in the community, highlighting the Black-owned businesses in Connecticut in videos posted on the team’s social media platforms. 

She was also very vocal throughout the season on the importance of the league’s voting initiative and ensuring that people in Connecticut registered to vote and spreading awareness of the importance of voting in local elections. 

The terms of the contract have not yet been released, but with much of the Sun’s salary cap invested in DeWanna Bonner, Jonquel Jones and January (those three plus Kaila Charles represent 44% of the total cap), this signing could impact what else Connecticut is able to do in free agency.