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2008 Connecticut Sun season

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2008 Connecticut Sun season
CoachMike Thibault
ArenaMohegan Sun Arena
Attendance7,644 per game
Results
Record21–13 (.618)
Place2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishLost in First Round
Team Leaders
PointsAsjha Jones (17.0)
ReboundsAsjha Jones (6.1)
AssistsLindsay Whalen (5.4)
Media
TelevisionWCTX

The 2008 WNBA season was their tenth season and their sixth in Connecticut. The Sun successfully advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. Lindsay Whalen was a key contributor to the club, averaging 14.0 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 5.4 assists per game.[1]

Offseason

Expansion Draft

The following player was lost in the Atlanta Dream expansion draft:

  • Erika DeSouza

[2]

WNBA Draft

Round Pick Player Nationality School/Team/Country
1 9 Amber Holt  United States Middle Tennessee
1 12 (from Indiana) Ketia Swanier  United States Connecticut
2 23 Jolene Anderson  United States Wisconsin
3 37 Lauren Ervin  United States Arkansas

[3]

Transactions

  • August 27: The Sun signed Svetlana Abrosimova and waived Jolene Anderson.
  • June 27: The Sun waived Kamesha Hairston.
  • May 15: The Sun waived Cori Chambers.
  • May 7: The Sun waived Jessica Foley, Tracy Gahan and Christina Quaye.
  • May 6: The Sun waived Meredith Alexis and Natalie Berglin.
  • April 28: The Sun waived Crystal Erwin, Laura Hall and Jessica Richter.
  • April 23: The Sun waived Antoinette Upshaw.
  • March 20: The Sun signed Tracy Gahan to a training camp contract.
  • March 7: The Sun signed Sandrine Gruda.
  • March 5: The Sun signed Jessica Foley to a training camp contract.
  • March 3: The Sun signed Natalie Berglin and Kerri Gardin to training camp contracts.
  • February 19: The Sun re-signed free agents Lindsay Whalen and Jamie Carey.

[4]

Date Trade
February 19, 2008 To Connecticut Sun To Indiana Fever
Tamika Whitmore, Jessica Foley, 12th pick in 2008 Draft Katie Douglas
March 6, 2008 To Connecticut Sun To Houston Comets
Barbara Turner Megan Mahoney
March 14, 2008 To Connecticut Sun To Minnesota Lynx
Tamika Raymond Kristen Rasmussen

Free agents

Roster

Connecticut Sun roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Height Weight DOB From Yrs
SF 25 Russia Abrosimova, Svetlana 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 172 lb (78 kg) Connecticut
PG 10 United States Carey, Jamie 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) 135 lb (61 kg) Texas
PF United States Ervin, Lauren Injured (DP) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Arkansas
SF 41 United States Gardin, Kerri 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Virginia Tech
C 7 France Gruda, Sandrine 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) France
G/F 1 United States Holt, Amber 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 167 lb (76 kg) Middle Tennessee State
PF 15 United States Jones, Asjha (C) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 198 lb (90 kg) Connecticut
PF 52 United States Page, Danielle 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 179 lb (81 kg) Nebraska
PG 31 Australia Phillips, Erin 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 162 lb (73 kg) Australia
PF 34 United States Raymond, Tamika 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 199 lb (90 kg) Connecticut
G/F 42 United States Sales, Nykesha Injured 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Connecticut
PG 11 United States Swanier, Ketia 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 144 lb (65 kg) Connecticut
G/F 22 United States Turner, Barbara 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 182 lb (83 kg) Connecticut
PG 13 United States Whalen, Lindsay (C) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 150 lb (68 kg) Minnesota
PF 00 United States Whitmore, Tamika 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Memphis
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Athletic trainer
Strength and conditioning coach
  • United States Jodi Hopkins (Ohio)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Season standings

Eastern Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Detroit Shock x 22 12 .647 – 14–3 8–9 16–4
Connecticut Sun x 21 13 .618 1.0 13–4 8–9 13–7
New York Liberty x 19 15 .559 3.0 11–6 8–9 11–9
Indiana Fever x 17 17 .500 5.0 11–6 6–11 12–8
Chicago Sky o 12 22 .353 10.0 8–9 4–13 10–10
Washington Mystics o 10 24 .294 12.0 6–11 4–13 6–14
Atlanta Dream o 4 30 .118 18.0 1–16 3–14 2–18

Schedule

Preseason

2008 Game Log: Preseason
Game Date Opponent TV Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record
1 May 1 @ Minnesota L 57-68 Gardin (8) Gahan, Gardin, Holt (4) Carey, Hairston, Turner (2) Target Center
1,155		 0-1
2 May 4 Phoenix W 94-66 Holt (15) Gahan (10) Swanier, Berglin (3) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,252		 1-1
3 May 9 Houston W 88-80 Whalen (18) Anderson (7) Whalen (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
4,411		 2-1

Regular season

2008 Game Log: Regular Season
May
Game Date Opponent TV Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record
1 May 17 Atlanta CSS W 100-67 Whitmore (22) Whitmore (10) Whalen (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,420		 1-0
2 May 18 @ New York WCTX
NBA TV		 W 77-63 Whitmore (17) Whalen, Raymond (6) Whalen (8) Madison Square Garden
10,460		 2-0
3 May 24 Sacramento W 87-64 Whalen (21) Holt (7) Whalen, Whitmore (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,402		 3-0
4 May 27 Indiana ESPN2 L 46-75 Whalen (11) Jones (7) Whalen (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
5,245		 3-1
5 May 30 New York MSG
NBA TV		 W 89-84 Whitmore (18) Whalen (6) Whalen (7) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,052		 4-1
June
Game Date Opponent TV Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record
6 June 1 @ Chicago W 75-73 Whalen, Whitmore (19) Whalen (7) Whalen (7) UIC Pavilion
2,276		 5-1
7 June 6 Minnesota W 78-77 Jones (25) Whalen (9) Anderson, Gardin (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,327		 6-1
8 June 8 Washington WCTX
NBA TV		 W 87-79 Jones (16) Whalen (7) Whalen (7) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,174		 7-1
9 June 10 @ Minnesota ESPN2 W 75-66 Jones (18) Whitmore (12) Whalen (6) Target Center
7,186		 8-1
10 June 13 @ Los Angeles L 93-98 (OT) Whalen (20) Whalen (7) Jones (3) STAPLES Center
8,702		 8-2
11 June 16 @ Seattle WCTX
NBA TV		 W 74-67 Jones (15) Raymond (9) Whitmore (4) KeyArena
6,872		 9-2
12 June 18 @ Phoenix L 81-102 Jones (18) Turner (5) Whalen (5) US Airways Center
4,478		 9-3
13 June 20 @ Sacramento W 72-56 Jones (14) Whalen, Anderson (6) Whalen (5) ARCO Arena
5,895		 10-3
14 June 24 Detroit WCTX
NBA TV		 W 85-68 Jones (20) Holt (8) Whalen (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,501		 11-3
15 June 26 @ Detroit FSN-D L 61-70 Jones (14) Jones (7) Whalen (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,501		 11-4
16 June 27 Atlanta W 109-101 (OT) Jones (30) Jones, Whalen (10) Holt (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,612		 12-4
17 June 29 Phoenix L 80-87 Jones (16) Jones (9) Whalen (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
9,518 (sellout)		 12-5
July
Game Date Opponent TV Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record
18 July 1 Houston W 78-68 Jones (15) Turner (9) Whalen (9) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,357		 13-5
19 July 5 @ Indiana FSN-I
NBA TV		 L 74-81 Jones (20) Gardin (9) Jones, Whalen (3) Conseco Fieldhouse
6,329		 13-6
20 July 8 @ Detroit FSN-D L 82-88 Jones (21) Whalen (7) Jones, Whalen (8) Palace of Auburn Hills
7,623		 13-7
21 July 13 @ Washington ABC L 64-69 Whalen (33) Whalen (8) Jones, Whalen (6) Verizon Center
9,610		 13-8
22 July 15 New York ESPN2 L 71-77 Whalen (19) Jones (9) Jones (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,244		 13-9
23 July 18 @ Chicago WCTX
NBA TV		 L 65-73 Jones (18) Gruda (11) Jones, Swanier (3) UIC Pavilion
3,379		 13-10
24 July 20 Chicago W 74-67 Jones (23) Jones (10) Whalen (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,367		 14-10
25 July 24 Los Angeles WCTX
NBA TV		 W 87-61 Whalen (22) Jones (8) Whalen (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
9,518 (sellout)		 15-10
26 July 27 @ Washington CSN-MA
NBA TV		 W 82-60 Jones (27) Whalen (8) Whalen (7) Verizon Center
9,357		 16-10
August
Game Date Opponent TV Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record
Summer Olympic break
27 August 28 @ Indiana FSN-I
NBA TV		 W 84-58 Whitmore (15) Turner, Raymond (5) Gruda, Jones (4) Conseco Fieldhouse
6,435		 17-10
28 August 29 @ Atlanta W 98-72 Whitmore (27) Whitmore (6) Whalen (8) Philips Arena
11,442 (sellout)		 18-10
29 August 31 Seattle ABC W 80-76 Jones (20) Holt (5) Gardin (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
9,518 (sellout)		 19-10
September
Game Date Opponent TV Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record
30 September 5 Chicago W 80-75 Whitmore (17) Jones (6) Whalen (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,088		 20-10
31 September 7 San Antonio ABC L 73-85 Jones (22) Jones (9) Abrosimova (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,956		 20-11
32 September 9 @ Houston WCTX L 68-75 Jones (22) Whalen (8) Whalen (5) Reliant Arena
5,769		 20-12
33 September 11 @ San Antonio L 74-78 Jones (18) Gardin (14) Carey (7) AT&T Center
6,791		 20-13
34 September 13 Washington WCTX
NBA TV		 W 87-81 Phillips (18) Phillips (8) Gruda, Swanier (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,652		 21-13

Playoffs

In the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Sun had to face the New York Liberty. Since the Sun had the better record, the series would be played with game 1 at New York, game 2 at Connecticut, and game 3 (if needed) at Connecticut. The Liberty won the first game, but the Sun won the second to force a game three. The Sun were upset on their home floor by the Liberty and were eliminated from the playoffs.

  • For the sixth consecutive season, the Sun advance to the playoffs.
  • For the second consecutive season, the Sun do not advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
2008 Game Log: Postseason
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game Date Opponent TV Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Series
1 September 18 @ New York MSG
NBA TV		 L 63-72 Whitmore (16) Jones, Whitmore (6) Whalen (6) Madison Square Garden
7,649		 0-1
2 September 20 New York MSG
NBA TV		 W 73-70 Jones (16) Whitmore (6) Whalen (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,234		 1-1
3 September 22 New York ESPN2 L 62-66 Whalen (19) Jones (11) Whitmore (4) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,011		 1-2

Depth

Pos. Starter Bench Inactive
C Tamika Whitmore Sandrine Gruda Danielle Page
PF Asjha Jones Tamika Raymond
SF Kerri Gardin Barbara Turner -- Amber Holt
SG Svetlana Abrosimova Erin Phillips Ketia Swanier
PG Lindsay Whalen Jamie Carey

Regular Season statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage  TO  Turnovers per game
 PF  Fouls per game Team leader League leader

Player statistics

Player GP GS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Svetlana Abrosimova 6 0 17.8 3.3 2.0 1.33 0.00 5.7
Jolene Anderson 24 7 15.3 2.4 1.1 0.29 0.04 4.0
Jamie Carey 33 3 15.1 1.2 1.4 0.24 0.03 4.2
Kerri Gardin 34 15 15.9 3.3 1.2 0.85 0.21 4.0
Sandrine Gruda 31 1 15.4 3.5 0.9 0.61 0.84 6.2
Amber Holt 34 34 21.0 3.1 1.9 0.44 0.15 6.5
Asjha Jones 33 33 29.2 6.1 2.5 0.61 0.79 17.0
Danielle Page 3 0 4.0 2.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 2.0
Erin Phillips 8 0 10.8 2.1 0.4 0.50 0.13 5.1
Tamika Raymond 34 1 11.0 2.9 0.4 0.29 0.03 2.5
Ketia Swanier 25 6 9.2 1.2 1.0 0.56 0.04 1.6
Barbara Turner 34 6 19.5 3.2 1.5 0.35 0.41 8.0
Lindsay Whalen 31 31 29.3 5.6 5.4 1.45 0.03 14.0
Tamika Whitmore 34 33 26.8 4.7 1.4 0.59 0.38 12.6

Team statistics

Team FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
Connecticut Sun .422 .330 .746 36.4 17.9 6.2 2.8 14.3 18.5 79.1
Opponents .418 .321 .740 35.3 16.3 7.4 3.1 14.7 20.7 74.7

Team Ranking

This table shows how the Sun rank compared to the other teams in the league (14 total teams):

FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
8th 8th 12th 3rd 2nd 14th 12th 13th 13th 3rd

Playoffs statistics

Player statistics

Player GP GS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Svetlana Abrosimova 3 2 21.0 3.7 1.3 1.33 0.00 8.0
Jamie Carey 1 0 00.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.0
Kerri Gardin 3 3 19.0 2.3 1.0 1.67 0.33 3.7
Sandrine Gruda 3 0 8.7 1.3 0.3 0.33 0.00 2.7
Amber Holt 3 1 18.3 4.0 1.3 0.33 0.00 3.7
Asjha Jones 3 3 32.3 7.3 1.3 0.67 0.33 15.0
Danielle Page 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.0
Erin Phillips 3 0 12.0 0.7 1.7 1.00 0.33 3.0
Tamika Raymond 3 0 9.3 2.3 0.3 0.33 0.33 1.3
Ketia Swanier 0 0 00.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.0
Barbara Turner 3 0 19.0 3.3 0.3 0.00 0.33 5.3
Lindsay Whalen 3 3 30.0 4.7 4.0 1.33 0.00 13.3
Tamika Whitmore 3 3 29.0 4.7 2.0 1.33 0.00 10.0

Team statistics

Team FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
Connecticut Sun .360 .218 .800 34.3 13.7 7.3 1.7 12.3 15.7 63.0
New York Liberty .448 .433 .606 33.7 16.3 6.7 5.0 18.7 18.7 69.3

Awards and honors

  • Head Coach Mike Thibault was named 2008 WNBA Coach of the Year.
  • Lindsay Whalen was named to the All-WNBA First Team.
  • Asjha Jones was named to the All-WNBA Second Team.
  • Amber Holt was named to the All-Rookie Team.
  • Lindsay Whalen was given the Peak Performer award (for assists) for leading the league in assists per game (5.4).
  • Lindsay Whalen was the second player in WNBA history to average at least 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game for the season. Only Nikki Teasley has previously accomplished this feat.
  • Lindsay Whalen was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of May 27, 2008.
  • Asjha Jones was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of June 30, 2008.
  • Lindsay Whalen was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of July 14, 2008.
  • Asjha Jones was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of July 28, 2008.

[5]

Attendance

Regular Season Attendance
Year Average: Home Average: Away High Low Sellouts Total for Year WNBA Game Average
2008 7,644 (11th) 7,132 (14th) 9,518 5,245 3 129,951 7,948

References

  1. ^ Sports Illustrated, October 6, 2008, Inside the WNBA, p.80
  2. ^ "WNBA.com: Atlanta Dream". Archived from the original on 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  3. ^ WNBA.com: 2008 WNBA Draft Board Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ WNBA.com: 2008 WNBA Transactions
  5. ^ "Players of the Week - WNBA.com – Official Site of the WNBA". Wnba.com. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
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