The Connecticut Sun’s ecosystem to developing post players

Most young post players in the WNBA don’t get the opportunity to learn from a future Hall of Famer like Brittney Griner. Connecticut Sun’s frontcourt in forwards Aneesah Morrow and Aaliyah Edwards, along with center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, have that privilege and opportunity every day.

Griner’s mentorship and investment in their growth is just one piece of the larger equation, though. Connecticut has intentionally built a layered development system designed to maximize the growth of its young frontcourt.

Development is intentional

The Connecticut Sun’s emphasis on developing their young frontcourt is by design. Head coach Rachid Meziane’s system revolves around the usage of an inside-out offensive style that relies heavily on paint production, making the posts a vital part of Connecticut’s identity.  

Meziane was familiar with Griner as a player long before he became her coach in Connecticut. He coached against her various times while she was playing in Russia and he “lost a lot against her” but always admired her game.

From the moment she signed with the Sun Mezianejust wanted her to be herself while bringing her experiences and positive leadership to a young Sun squad. 

At the beginning of the season Meziane made his vision and coaching style clear. He envisioned Griner being a vital part of their system after losing their two leading scorers from last season, center Tina Charles who retired and guard Marina Mabrey.

Mabrey was left unprotected and was picked up by the Toronto Tempo in this years expansion draft. 

“My system, our system is about effort, spacing, also in and out game. So we know that with our dominant presence in the paint…She’s [Griner] feeling what we want and what we are building. I think that she can elevate our philosophy,” Meziane told reporters preseason in April.  

Ashlee McGee is an assistant coach on Meziane’s staff and has helped some of the young post players elevate their games over the past two seasons further supporting the team’s vision.  

“I mean, we work on mostly their skills, obviously on the court, but a lot of what I do, as well, is work on their mental game and their approach, how they study the game, how they analyze the game, how they make reads,” McGee told The IX Sports. 

“That’s something that we focus on, and really, their confidence, and who they are as players, as young women, and as professionals. I help them find their way of building their own identity as a pro in this league, and that’s something that’s really, really important, and something that’s valuable as they learn how to step into themselves, not just as a, as a person or a basketball athlete, but a professional in its entirety.” 

Each post player on the Sun brings something different and has focused on their own distinct areas of their game whether that be extending their range or controlling their pace. Each player has their own individualized work. 

Brittney Griner‘s guidance

Beyond one-on-one work with the coaching staff, Connecticut’s young post players have another resourceavailable to them every day: nine-time All-Star and WNBA champion, Griner. 

The Connecticut Sun are the second youngest team behind the Mystics making Griner’s presence even more important to their growth.

Nelson-Ododa said Griner has helped her refine everything from positioning in the post to reading defenders and countering different coverage types. 

“Yeah, just with her [Griner] resume, and me being able to pick her brain about certain things, her giving us little tidbits on things to do in our position on what to improve on, different moves that we can make is so valuable for us. And so just like I said, being able to pick her brain, having that knowledge, having that expertise right there has been able to help us a lot,” Nelson-Ododa told reporters. 

Griner has also provided Nelson-Ododa some specific advice that has stuck with her. Defensively she’s learned from Griner how to gain position in a more intelligent way to execute coverage of her opponent while also limiting her fouls when she’s guarding bigger players. 

On the offensive end of the floor she’s learned how to utilize various post moves and get into position for those more quickly. 

“‘Oh, somebody’s playing you this way, you can turn and spin this way,’ or ‘if somebody’s facing you up this way, different moves to counter different opponents.’ And so it’s just both on the offensive and defensive end, where she just gives us these little tips and tricks that she’s learned over the years to really help us.” Nelson-Ododa said. 

Edwards said she has learned from Griner, who has been dominant in the paint throughout her professional career, how to be more patient and consistent in the post position. 

“She’s helped me with the IQ of the game, just slowing down and really being patient. I feel she’s a great player in the low post position, and just to kind of pick up on some of those cues of just being patient, getting to her scoring areas, and able to get her shot up, whether there’s a double team, whether it’s a triple team, or just one-on-one, so I’ve really learned a lot from her in that aspect,” Edwards told The IX Sports. 

Griner has also breathed confidence into Edwards game, reminding her that her role is important to. 

“As a vet, everyone’s looking at you, and she sees me as a vet in a leadership role on this team,” Edwards said. “So just constantly reminding me that people are looking, always looking out to me, so just continue to be that great role model that she knows that I am on and off the court, and on the court just continue dominating, because it helps us set the tone for the younger guys.” 

What Morrow has taken away from Griner’s leadership is how to use her voice more on the court. 

“I would say that what I’ve learned from her is just being more vocal. That’s one thing about BG, she’s very vocal. She speaks her mind. She pours a lot of life into, our teammates, but also just having fun with our jobs…having fun doing the thing that we love, and that’s playing basketball,” Morrow told The IX Sports. 

BG’s impact has been felt with every player learning something different from their veteran leader. 

Aneesah’s growth

Sun forward Aneesah Morrow’s development has been shaped by the guidance of Connecticut’s head of player development, Chaz Franklin, who has spent a good chunk of time helping her target different elements of her game. He has helped her slow down her game without sacrificing the explosiveness that made her stand out as a dominant forward in college basketball.  

 “Honestly, just being able to pay attention to detail-that’s the biggest thing with him,” Aneesah said. “I know that one thing that we talk about with my game is ‘pro is slow’. I have my quickness, but just being able to use it at the right moments and knowing when to be able to get my opponent off their feet is one thing that we focus on, just offensively taking my time and creating shots because he knows and I believe that I could get to the basket whenever I want to… But honestly, having him has been really good. He speaks a lot of life into me. He also cares about me more than just a player, so I really appreciate that.” 

Their work didn’t stop once her rookie season in the WNBA ended. Franklin also spent time with Morrow during Athletes Unlimited (AU) Basketball in Nashville this offseason, giving them an abundance of additional time to continue growing her game.  

“Well, it was our intention and my intention to try to pray that she would be in my player group, so I got her three out of the four weeks, so we spent like 75 percent of my time down in Nashville together. We tried to design offenses and put it in positions that I felt like would translate to what we’re doing here in Connecticut. So it was an invaluable time and opportunity, to steal some extra developmental time.” Franklin told The IX Sports. 

During their time at AU Franklin focused on helping Morrow expand her range “out to the three-point line”, while “working on her mechanics and her balance.” He wanted her to be as prepared as possible when her sophomore WNBA season rolled back around. 

“Everyone knows she’s an elite rebounder, but we want to speed up our offense here in Connecticut. So we worked on her rebounding, pushing the ball in transition a little bit more, to initiate our offense,” Franklin said. 

Franklin believes Morrow’s biggest improvement hasn’t been physical–it’s been her confidence. 

“Her confidence has expanded tremendously. She’s always been a tremendous rebounder as well, right? So that’s something that she walked in here with. I think mentally her understanding of next action, next read, understanding defenses a little better. That’s something we’ve been actively working on. So, you know, it’s not a straight line, it’s not in a straight ascension to the top, but I’ve seen a steady incremental growth in that area,” Franklin said. 

The most difficult part for Morrow while working on her game this offseason was learning how to be aware of and control her pace.   

“I would say just being able to slow down. Sometimes when I feel like I’m going slow, he’ll show me some videos and just be like, ‘No, like you’re actually really going fast.’ So, majority of my game has been fast-paced. I’ve been able to be a lot faster than my opponents, especially offensively, just getting to the basket. But being able to take my time offensively is one thing that we focus on a lot,” Morrow said. 

Edwards and Nelson-Ododa’s growth with the help of Ashlee McGee

Morrow isn’t the only post player working on their own individualized game. Sun Forward Aaliyah Edwards and center Olivia Nelson-Ododa have been putting in the work and have taken their games to the next level with the help of McGee. 

Edwards already knew McGee well from their time in Washington D.C. together when she played for the Mystics. McGee served as an assistant coach in Washington and impacted Edwards 2024 rookie season before joining the Sun coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season. 

The pair were reunited not too long after when Connecticut acquired Edwards in a midseason trade making her adjustment and continuation of growth seamless.

“oh yeah, she’s helped a lot. We have a good relationship, she was with me when I was in DC as well, so just continuing off of that rapport, and I feel like our PD [personal development] workouts are decent, and it’s always nice to work out with somebody who we have history with, because they kind of know you, know what you want to do, know how you can improve and get to where you want to be,” Edwards told The IX Sports. 

A’ja Wilson‘s shot who is waring a black jersey and black armsleeve on her left arm.” class=”wp-image-55033″/>

Nelson-Ododa has shown a jump in her game as well, which she partially attributes to watching film with McGee who breaks things down for her.  

“Yeah, Coach Ashley, me and her have been really consistent, just with watching film, and just with her really breaking down my clips on the offensive end and defensive end too. And just being able to get in the gym with her and rep out certain things, whether [that’s]… seeing where different positions in our offense, where it could be a strength for me,” Nelson-Ododa told reporters. 

The results have been evident for Nelson-Ododa. After averaging 8.2 points while shooting 52.6% from the field last season, Nelson-Ododa has increased those numbers to 9.3 points per game on 58.3% shooting this year. 

As women’s basketball and the WNBA continue to grow it is becoming increasingly common to have a dynamic skillset helping you be a threat as a two or even a three-level scorer.  

“Oh man, I mean, I’m super proud of them, honestly. Liv has been phenomenal this year so far, and Aaliyah is really strong as well. Liv’s played really, really well as of late, extending her game to the mid-range. Aaliyah extending her game to the three-point line.” Mcgee said. 

McGee wants both Edwards and Nelson-Ododa to feel comfortable in executing outside shots more often. 

“So that’s something that we work on, that’s something that we build confidence in, that they have the ability to stretch the floor and stretch the game, and I tell both of them, next year they both have to be able to shoot threes consistently, and so that is something that they’re striving for personally, but me, as well as their coach, just working on their technique and their confidence to be able to do those things,” McGee said. 

Brittney Griner wearing a black jersey with orange and red accents stands next to head coach Rachid Meziane on the sideline.” class=”wp-image-55034″/>

The coaches put trust in Griner

Griner’s influence isn’t limited to practice and games. Connecticut’s coaching staff actively encourages her involvement in player development. When she’s not in the game, Griner is often seen holding the official box score sheet analyzing it to see where she could best help her teammates.

McGee has even invited Griner to join her when she’s working with younger post players since she adds a lot of value to their development. 

“Oh yeah, she’s awesome. I mean, just two days ago…she kind of gave me the nod, like, ‘hey, anytime you know, I’d love to come down to your station and work with Liv. I mean, anytime you want me to come by,’ I was like, ‘BG, yes, come on down, you can join our workout anytime.’ Because I watch BG and I watch how she works, and I take what she does and I try to implement it into what we do for Liv and for Aaliyah as well, because she’s a great post player.

And so the things that she does on the court that gives her success, Liv and Aaliyah should take note of that, and that’s something that we talk about all the time. So BG is more than willing and able to help them grow, and she’s just been phenomenal, just a piece, a person that’s stable and just encouraging and a positive word… I can’t say more about her. I just love her to pieces.” McGee said. 

Earlier in the season Griner pulled rookie Raegan Beers aside by the team bench, breaking down what she can do to be more effective in the game. This isn’t just an occasional thing for Griner but instead a daily part of her leadership style.

Griner has noticed the growth

Griner is a well respected and decorated center in women’s basketball having won a WNBA championship in 2014 to go along with her three olympic gold medals. But Griner didn’t necessarily have to be the go-to leader on her teams up until now and it has come natural to her.

Griner also finds enjoyment in helping others when it comes to basketball. She even shared with The IX Sports during training camp that coaching may be in her future when her playing career eventually ends.

Griner has embraced her veteran leadership role and has been eager to help her younger teammates in anyway she can including sharing her own experiences.  

“Talking to them when I see stuff on the court, when I’m in practice during the game, just sharing everything I can that I’ve seen that can help them move when we’re going through PD [player development]work, things that coaches are relaying to me and I’m relaying to them, and they’re super open to it too, which makes me want to do it even more, because they actually, definitely want to see it, definitely want to hear it,” Griner told The IX Sports. 

Griner has seen the strides of growth that her teammates have made in just the first half of the season alone. 

“Stepping into more roles, more playing time, starting, they’ve kind of all been through being in the starting five,” Griner said. “You can see the growth in all of them, you know, Lili [Aaliyah Edwards] locking in, trusting a shot, Aneesah’s shot from the three, rebounding, put backs, Liv staying out of foul trouble, being a beast down low, making the right reads, and on defense as well.” 

For Griner, her teammates progress isn’t measured by only statistics. It’s the confidence that Morrow is shooting with, Nelson-Ododa’s composure and control to avoid getting into foul trouble and Edwards increased patience in the post.  

After spending nearly two decades becoming one of the greatest centers the league has ever seen, Griner has embraced her new role and is helping to shape the next generation of Connecticut’s frontcourt one conversation at a time. 

“So I’ve seen all of them make strides and  get growth in this year, and this is a big year for them for the next year.” Griner said. 

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Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the group that owns the Washington Mystics, holds a minority stake in The IX Sports. The IX Sports’ editorial operations are entirely independent of Monumental and all other business partners.

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The IX Sports’ Natalie Heavren contributed reporting for this story.