Marina Mabrey's Big Bet: Can Her Faith in Teammate Aaliyah Edwards Turn Sun's Season Around After Tumultuous Summer?

Marina Mabrey has endured one of the most eventful summers of her WNBA career. But the Connecticut Sun guard is now turning her focus to the future, and she believes new teammate Aaliyah Edwards could be key. As the Sun sit bottom of the league in a rebuilding year, Mabrey's public backing of the $324,383 forward arrives alongside fresh memories of both a headline-making on-court altercation and a major roster shake-up.

A major roster change

The Connecticut Sun shook up their roster last week with the arrival of Aaliyah Edwards from the Washington Mystics in exchange for guard Jacy Sheldon and a future first-round pick swap. Edwards, a former UConn standout and two-time Olympian for Canada, arrives with a strong college pedigree and experience from her rookie season. But she has seen her minutes limited this year due to injuries and competition for places in Washington.

The trade also reunites Edwards with several former Huskies teammates already on the Sun roster, including veteran Tina Charles and forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Sun general manager Morgan Tuck described the move as part of a longer-term vision, calling Edwards a 'transformational talent' with leadership qualities to help build a championship culture.

Mabrey's endorsement

Mabrey's support for Edwards has been emphatic. Speaking to Sportskeeda, the guard described her new teammate as a 'great player'. She said Edwards had the versatility to run the floor, set screens, and create around the rim, while noting that her jump shot is still developing.

The veteran also referenced watching Edwards up close during the Unrivaled games in Miami, praising her work ethic and determination. 'It's only her second season, so we'll have her for a little while. She's a great addition, and she's really coming into herself', Mabrey said.

For a Sun side currently enduring its first likely playoff miss since 2016, such chemistry could prove crucial in shaping the team's next phase.

From controversy to leadership

Mabrey's vocal backing for Edwards comes just weeks after one of the most discussed moments of the 2025 season. During a 17 June match against the Indiana Fever, she shoved Caitlin Clark to the floor after a scuffle between Clark and Sheldon. The play initially drew a technical foul but was later upgraded to a Flagrant 2 following a wave of fan reaction.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Mabrey admitted she 'probably overreacted a little bit' but insisted the incident was about defending her teammate, not animosity towards Clark. 'Me and Caitlin were cool', she said, noting past competitive clashes between the two.

The moment drew wide public attention. But Mabrey's readiness to reflect openly on it and shift focus to supporting new teammates suggests her role in the Sun locker room extends beyond her on-court contributions.

A wider trade impact

The other side of the Edwards trade saw Sheldon head to Washington, where she made her Mystics debut in a 91–78 comeback win over the Dallas Wings. The second-year guard contributed eight points in a balanced team performance led by rookie Kiki Iriafen's career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds.

For Connecticut, the decision to part with Sheldon, who joined the Sun only last offseason, reflects the team's willingness to invest in size and interior play through Edwards. Whether the move can influence results, this season remains doubtful given their current record. But it positions the franchise to develop a new core with Mabrey and Edwards at the heart of it.

As the Sun prepare for the final stretch of a difficult campaign, Marina Mabrey's endorsement of Aaliyah Edwards signals more than just optimism. This points to the belief that the team's future could be built around players willing to put in the work now for success later. And for Mabrey, navigating both controversy and change this year, that commitment could prove the defining measure of her season.