Jonquel Jones’ Jersey Retirement Marks a Milestone for the Connecticut Sun

Jonquel Jones joined the Connecticut Sun in 2016 after a draft-night trade that sent her from the Los Angeles Sparks to Connecticut for Chelsea Gray. Over six seasons she helped the Sun reach the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022. She was traded to the New York Liberty before the 2023 season. The Sun will move to Houston after the 2023-24 season and plan to honor six former Sun members during the final Connecticut season.

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During a pre-game ceremony before the Sun’s home game against the New York Liberty, the franchise retired Jones’ No. 35 jersey. The event in Uncasville, Connecticut, drew a standing ovation. Jones was a late scratch due to illness; Han Xu started and scored 14 points as the Liberty won 89-80. The retirement marks the first time a current WNBA player’s number has been raised to the rafters.

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Jones earned the league MVP award in 2021 and helped the Sun reach two Finals. She ranks sixth in franchise history with 196 games, fifth in points (2,657), leads in blocks (270) and is third in rebounds (1,633).

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Sun president Jen Rizzotti said, “It was important to us that Jonquel’s legacy be permanently recognized. Raising her number into the rafters is a tribute to one of the greatest players in franchise history and a lasting reminder of everything she has meant to this organization and to our fans.” The Sun also announced that six former members—including Jasmine Thomas, Alyssa Thomas, Tina Charles, and coaches Curt Miller and Mike Thibault—will be honored this season.

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• “I want to say thank you to this organization for taking a chance on me and bringing me here,” — Jonquel Jones, Player

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• “Thank you to the fans. Even though it's the 'Sunset season,' there are a lot of memories here. A lot of winning that happened here.” — Jonquel Jones, Player

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• “It's an honor. It means a lot, a lot of great memories there,” — Jonquel Jones, Player

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• “They saw me as someone that could come in and really contribute before I ever stepped on the court in the WNBA. That means a lot to me,” — Jonquel Jones, Player

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Retiring a jersey while the player is still active highlights Jones’ impact and underscores the Sun’s effort to preserve its legacy before relocating. The ceremony strengthens the connection with Connecticut fans during the final season and sets a precedent for honoring current players.

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The Sun will relocate to Houston for the 2024-25 season, taking the franchise’s history to a new market. Additional jersey retirements and honors for former players are scheduled throughout the remaining “Sunset” season, giving fans further opportunities to celebrate the team’s past before the move.

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