{"id":1795,"date":"2026-08-08T02:53:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uscnews.org\/?p=1795"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:53:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:53:02","slug":"alyssa-thomas-gets-an-emotional-farewell-as-the-sun-retire-her-no-25-jersey-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uscnews.org\/?p=1795","title":{"rendered":"Alyssa Thomas gets an emotional farewell as the Sun retire her No. 25 jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) drives between Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) and Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo\/Ross D. Franklin)<\/small><\/p>\n

2026-08-07T23:47:57Z<\/p>\n

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) \u2014 Alyssa Thomas was the engine that made Connecticut go when she played for the Sun for 11 years.<\/p>\n

The franchise that she helped reach two WNBA Finals and six consecutive playoff semifinals honored her on Friday night, retiring her No. 25 jersey. The team is moving to Houston next year, so the Sun have been honoring many of their former great players and coaches this season.<\/p>\n

Thomas was serenaded pregame with chants of \u201cAT\u201d from the crowd, which also gave her a standing ovation when the short ceremony started.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a heck of a ride we had here. This place truly meant something to me,\u201d Thomas said to the crowd. \u201cIt was a great 11 years. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Sun spoiled Thomas\u2019 night, beating Phoenix 75-72<\/a><\/span>. Thomas had 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals, but was 4 for 10 from the foul line.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

She was the centerpiece of the franchise for so many years, playing through injuries, including torn rotator cuffs. She is the team\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s forever my nickname. That\u2019s what everyone knows me by,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cIt definitely started here. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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