Latest news with #AaliyahEdwards
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Wilson records historic 30-20 night in Las Vegas Aces' win over Connecticut Sun
Jackie Young scored 21 points and reserves Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans scored 12 and 10 respectively. Marina Mabrey scored 22 points, Saniya Rivers had 17, and Leila Lacan 13 for Connecticut. The Sun built a 31-27 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended their lead to 45-33 with with 5:46 left before halftime on Tina Charles' jump shot. But the Aces outscored Connecticut 12-0 to close the half to tie it 45-all at the half. Advertisement Leïla Lacan putting on a CLINIC already up to 11 points in the second 😤 CON-LVA | League Pass | WNBA Rivals Week presented by — WNBA (@WNBA) Chelsea Gray made two free throws to put Las Vegas ahead 51-50 with 7:18 to play and it led for the remainder of the game. Aaliyah Edwards made her Sun debut, posting 4 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes, but Connecticut (5-25) has now lost four straight. Orange looks good on you Aaliyah Edwards! 🧡 Edwards is on the boards for her first bucket with the CON-LVA | League Pass | WNBA Rivals Week presented by — WNBA (@WNBA)
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mystics trade grade for Aaliyah Edwards deal with Sun
The post Mystics trade grade for Aaliyah Edwards deal with Sun appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Washington Mystics weren't using second-year forward Aaliyah Edwards to her full potential this season, which was an unfortunate side effect of No. 4 overall pick Kiki Iriafen's All-Star campaign. That's why they dealt her to the Connecticut Sun for second-year guard Jacy Sheldon and a 2026 first-round pick swap hours before the WNBA Trade Deadline on Thursday. Sheldon replaces Brittney Sykes, who the Mystics sent to the Seattle Storm on Wednesday for a 2026 first-round pick and veteran forward Alysha Clark. Sykes (15.4 points per game) made her first All-Star team this season and averages over twice the points that Sheldon (7.5 PPG) does, but the latter player is seven years younger and is still on her rookie contract. Meanwhile, Sykes is on an expiring deal and could have left for nothing in return this offseason. Additionally, the Mystics now have the right to swap the Minnesota Lynx's first-rounder for the New York Liberty's first-rounder, which could be a better pick given that the Liberty are 5.5 games behind the Lynx atop the standings with five weeks left in the regular season. However, the loss of Edwards (6 PPG) weakens Washington's frontcourt depth, assuming that it doesn't make another trade before the deadline. The team will now depend more on Stefanie Dolson (3 PPG) and Emily Engstler (2.9 PPG) behind Iriafen (12.1 PPG) and Shakira Austin (12.5 PPG), as it cut fellow forward Sika Koné (2.1 PPG) to complete the Sykes trade. Was this trade worth it for the Mystics? Aaliyah Edwards is a big sacrifice for Mystics This is yet another example of a professional sports team's front office wanting to acquire the players it builds around, rather than relying on who the previous regime had. Former Washington general manager Mike Thibault drafted Edwards No. 6 overall in 2024, and she averaged 7.6 points on 49 percent shooting with 5.6 rebounds as a rookie, starting 17 out of 34 games. The UConn alum then made it to Unrivaled's 1-v-1 tournament final against five-time All-Star Napheesa Collier over the offseason, losing in a best-of-three competition. That gave her momentum entering this season, but she was then hampered by injuries before Iriafen took off. Those two factors combined with the new regime's prioritization of Iriafen, who it drafted this past offseason, spelled trouble for Edwards in D.C.. However, the two-time All-American, who hasn't started a game this season, should have a bigger role with the Sun based on general manager Morgan Tuck's statement on Thursday, via the team's website. 'Bringing Aaliyah to the Connecticut Sun is more than just a roster move; it's a statement about where we're headed as a franchise,' he said. 'Aaliyah is a transformational talent with the mindset and drive that aligns with our vision of building a championship culture. What truly sets her apart is the way she leads, connects, and competes. Aaliyah is the kind of person and player who can help redefine the future of this organization and we're ready to build that future together.' Meanwhile, Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman also offered positive comments about Sheldon, via the Mystics' website. 'We are excited to welcome Jacy to the Mystics and think her skill set, energy, and team-first approach will be a great fit for us,' she said. 'She is a competitor and leads through the example of her work-ethic. She has built on her solid rookie campaign and demonstrated an ability to shoot the ball and read the game on both ends of the court.' Sheldon was a second-team All-American at Ohio State in 2024 before the Dallas Wings drafted her No. 5 overall. She averaged 5.4 points on 38.6 percent shooting (30.9 percent 3 PT) with 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a rookie, starting 26 out of 40 games. The Wings then traded her to the Sun on February 2. Sheldon is known as a three-level scorer and an active defender that can guard different positions. The 24-year-old will compete for minutes with Sug Sutton (7.7 PPG), Jade Melbourne (6.2 PPG), and rookie Lucy Olsen (3.7 PPG) in the backcourt. Washington could have given some of Dolson's minutes to Edwards instead of trading her, but the front office seems to be confident moving forward with Iriafen and whoever it drafts with its three first-round picks in 2026. It could also retain Austin, who will hit restricted free agency this offseason. Still, cutting bait on a top-six pick in her second season shouldn't be a habit. It makes sense for a rebuilding team to trade older players, but Edwards could have been a part of its future if head coach Sydney Johnson had given her more minutes. If Sheldon doesn't at least play as well as the Toronto native long-term, then this deal won't age well for the Mystics. Trade grade: C Related: WNBA rumors: Jacy Sheldon seeking better on-court opportunity in trade to Mystics Related: Mystics trade leaves forward Shakira Austin heartbroken
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA rumors: Jacy Sheldon seeking better on-court opportunity in trade to Mystics
The post WNBA rumors: Jacy Sheldon seeking better on-court opportunity in trade to Mystics appeared first on ClutchPoints. The WNBA trade deadline saw stars switch teams as some squads went all-in on contending this season. Thursday's biggest deal might end up being Aaliyah Edwards moving from the Washington Mystics to the Connecticut Sun. In exchange for the former lottery pick, the Sun sent a first round pick and Jacy Sheldon to Washington. The move could be a good fit for both parties. Sheldon is not the biggest name in the deal, but the Mystics walk away with a talented player. Sheldon herself is ready to take on more responsibility on her new team, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou. The second-year guard enjoyed her life off the court in Connecticut. However, she felt lost in the rotation behind players like Marina Mabrey and Bria Hartley. The former Ohio State star gets a chance to be a part of Washington's intriguing young core. Sheldon joins a lineup featuring two Rookie of the Year candidates in Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. After the Mystics send Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm, the ball handling opportunities in Washington are theirs for the taking. The Mystics nailed both of their top picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Now, the trick is setting themselves up to grow their young core into a contender. If the season were to end today, Washington would be on the outside looking in. After trading Sykes away, it appears clear that the Mystics care more about the future than the present. Despite playing a smaller role in Connecticut, Sheldon averaged 7.5 points and 2 assists per game while shooting 41.2% from 3-point range. Playing alongside Citron in the Mystics backcourt should give her more opporuntities to be a playmaker in a lineup desperate for ball handling after moving on from Sykes. While the trade is a win-win deal, neither team made it with the though that it makes them a contender right now. However, both Edwards and Sheldon hope that they can develop their games with more freedom on their new teams. Related: Mystics trade leaves forward Shakira Austin heartbroken Related: Mystics trade grade for Aaliyah Edwards deal with Sun
CTV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Canadian basketball player Aaliyah Edwards traded to Connecticut Sun
Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards reacts after a basket against the Seattle Storm during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) WASHINGTON — The Washington Mystics have dealt Canadian forward Aaliyah Edwards to the Connecticut Sun, the WNBA team announced Thursday. The Mystics received guard Jacy Sheldon. The teams also swapped first-round draft picks, with Washington getting Connecticut's 14th overall pick (originally held by New York) in exchange for the 15th pick (originally held by Minnesota). The move returns Edwards, from Kingston, Ont., to the state where she enjoyed a standout college career with the University of Connecticut. The six-foot-three forward was a two-time all-American with UConn, finishing out her senior season with career highs of 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Edwards was selected first-team All-Big East and second-team All-America after UConn made the final four of the NCAA women's basketball championship tournament before being selected sixth overall by Washington in the 2024 WNBA draft. The 23-year-old Edwards averaged 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.8 blocks over 34 games, including 17 starts, in her rookie WNBA season in 2024. She took a step back this season, averaging six points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 0.3 blocks in 21 appearances off the bench. 'Bringing Aaliyah to the Connecticut Sun is more than just a roster move; it's a statement about where we're headed as a franchise,' Sun general manager Morgan Tuck said in a news release. 'Aaliyah is a transformational talent with the mindset and drive that aligns with our vision of building a championship culture.' She has represented Canada multiple times, including at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She helped the senior national team win silver in 2019 and bronze in 2023 at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup. Sheldon, 24, has averaged 7.5 points, two assists, and 1.9 rebounds over 28 games, including 17 starts, so far in her rookie season. The Sun (5-23) were last in the six-team Eastern Conference heading into a game Thursday night at Los Angeles. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 WNBA trade deadline: Live updates, news, rumors as Sun acquire Aaliyah Edwards from Mystics, send Jacy Sheldon to Washington
The 2025 WNBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, as contenders look to make final moves to solidify rosters ahead of a playoff run, while others look to acquire assets for the future. This deadline could prove to be a particularly interesting one, as a significant number of players will become free agents for the 2026 season in coordination with the start of a new CBA. Multiple players negotiated their contracts through 2025 based on the timing of the current CBA, which runs through Oct. 31, 2025. Hours before the deadline, the Washington Mystics made their second move of the week, trading Aaliyah Edwards to the Connecticut Sun for Jacy Sheldon and the rights to a potential 2026 first-round pick swap. The rebuild continues in Washington, which traded All-Star guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday in exchange for Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke and a 2026 first-round pick. Seattle currently sits sixth in the WNBA standings, acquiring Sykes, who's averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. The 2025 deadline action tipped off Sunday with a trade between the Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings. The Lynx acquired guard DiJonai Carrington, while the Wings acquired forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round draft pick. It marked the second time Carrington had been traded this year, having joined the Wings via trade in February, just months after being named WNBA All-Defensive First Team and the WNBA's Most Improved Player. She'll offer immediate contributions for Minnesota as it looks to fill an immediate and significant vacancy left by All-Star Napheesa Collier, who's expected to miss at least two weeks with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, heads to Dallas in hopes of a fresh start. After starting in each of her 32 games for the Lynx in her rookie season, Miller has yet to make her first start in 2025. Samuelson was waived after the trade, ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported. The financial ramifications of a new CBA could drastically reshape the WNBA landscape, with the salary cap, player salaries and revenue sharing topping the list of concerns in negotiations. Currently, the WNBA minimum salary for a player of 0-2 years of experience is at $66,079 per season, and players with 3+ years of experience earn a veteran minimum of $78,831; supermax contracts max out at $249,244. The salary cap for each team in 2025 is set at just over $1.5 million, per Her Hoops. Earlier this season, the Las Vegas Aces made a surprise move to acquire forward NaLyssa Smith from the Wings in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick, also her second time being traded in the 2025 calendar year. At 15-14, the Aces sit seventh overall in the league standings. Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more from the 2025 WNBA trade deadline:
