DiJonai Carrington

For a player who continues to make year-by-year strides in her ability to transform into whatever the circumstance requires, DiJonai Carrington offered some of her finest work on September 25, 2024. Prior to the Connecticut Sun’s closeout clash, task No. 1 called for her to accept a well-deserved WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award; task No. 2 was dedicated only to declining, deflecting, and denying the Indiana Fever’s entry. Accurate in her aggressive mirroring of Caitlin Clark’s steps towards the right sideline, Carrington maintains active hands, diverting a pass attempt that ricochets towards the other end, and ultimately, in perfect position for a breakaway layup. Carrington’s ambitious two-way sequence helped the Connecticut Sun open a brief advantage in the third quarter, important in what would become a down-to-the-wire finish. Incapable of even running in the week prior to Connecticut’s 2024 training camp, the former second-rounder saw her tireless work ethic again reap rewards, in helping guide the Sun to its eighth-straight WNBA’s semifinal round appearance. A key factor on both ends, Carrington contributed 10 points (on three-of-six shooting), four rebounds, one assist, and two steals.