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How Rayah Marshall Could Fit into Connecticut Sun's Plans Next Season

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 9:30 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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How Rayah Marshall Could Fit Into the Connecticut Sun’s Plans for the Next Season

The 2023 WNBA Draft gave the Connecticut Sun a high‑flying point guard in Rayah Marshall, the 11th‑overall pick who emerged from the University of Louisville as a prolific scorer, sharp passer, and defensive stalwart. As the 2024 campaign looms, the Sun’s coaching staff and front‑office are already talking about how Marshall could slot into the roster and help accelerate the team’s resurgence. The article on SI.com breaks the story into four core threads: (1) the Sun’s guard‑heavy roster, (2) Marshall’s skill set and how it aligns with the coaching philosophy, (3) her potential role and upside, and (4) the longer‑term outlook for the franchise. Below is a concise summary of those key points, along with insights from the linked resources.

1. The Connecticut Sun’s Guard Landscape

The Sun have historically been known for their aggressive backcourt, and 2023’s lineup still reflects that tradition. Key players include:

Matt Thorne, the Sun’s head coach, has repeatedly emphasized a high‑tempo offense that leverages ball movement and perimeter shooting. With Canada, Mitchell, and Siegrist already in the rotation, the team is looking for depth off the bench and a player who can step in at the point or slot‑guard position with little adjustment.

2. Marshall’s Skill Set and Tactical Fit

The SI.com piece spends a substantial portion on Marshall’s college résumé, highlighting her 2022‑23 averages of 20.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game at Louisville. Her strengths are:

• Playmaking: Marshall’s court vision and quick release make her a natural fit for the Sun’s pick‑and‑roll heavy style. The article links to a video clip from the 2023 WNBA draft that shows her executing multiple pick‑and‑roll variations in the preseason scrimmage.
• Defensive Versatility: She can guard both the point and shooting guard spots, a quality the Sun need to keep their defensive rotations tight. A linked recap of the Sun’s loss to the Lynx illustrates how the team’s defense faltered when a secondary ball‑handler was missing, underscoring the value of a player like Marshall.
• Athleticism and Work Ethic: Marshall’s 6‑foot‑2 frame allows her to post‑up against smaller guards, while her work ethic is evident from her off‑season training regimen showcased in the SI.com article’s photo gallery.

The Sun’s coaching staff has cited these attributes as “exactly the kind of player we need to build a deep rotation.” As per a quoted statement from GM Kevin Smith, “Rayah brings a new dimension to the backcourt that will allow us to play multiple ball‑handling roles.”

3. The Role Marshall Could Play

The article outlines two possible scenarios for Marshall’s role:

a. Backup Point Guard

In a backup role behind Canada, Marshall would be expected to:

• Run the offense when Canada rests: Her quick decision‑making can help keep the offense flowing.
• Guard the opposing point guard: Her defensive prowess would neutralize high‑scoring guards in the league.
• Provide floor‑spacing: With a strong three‑point shot (over 36% from beyond the arc in college), she can stretch defenses.

Statistical projections in the article (derived from the Sun’s last‑season averages) suggest that a 40‑minute per‑game stint could yield 12‑15 points, 4‑5 assists, and a 40‑plus efficiency rating.

b. Wing‑Guard / “Swingman” Role

Alternatively, the Sun may lean on Marshall as a wing‑guard who can:

• Play the “pick‑and‑roll” with Mitchell or Siegrist.
• Finish at the rim thanks to her height.
• Defend multiple positions if the lineup requires flexibility against faster guards.

In this capacity, the article references a quote from Coach Thorne: “We’ve seen in practice that Rayah can hold her own in the post, which gives us a unique matchup advantage.”

4. Long‑Term Outlook

While the immediate role is under discussion, the SI.com article projects that Marshall could become a core player in the Sun’s core 2025‑2027 window. The piece underscores:

• Drafting a young guard who can develop alongside veterans like Canada and Mitchell is a strategic move for a franchise still rebuilding after missing the playoffs in 2022.
• Contractual Flexibility: With Marshall’s rookie contract still in its first two years, the Sun retain a high‑value asset that can be leveraged for trade or extended play.
• Community Fit: Marshall’s high school and college ties to the East Coast align well with the Sun’s branding and fan engagement initiatives—she’s been actively involved in youth basketball clinics in Connecticut.

The article concludes that, regardless of whether Marshall starts the season in a backup or swingman role, her presence brings a fresh spark to a backcourt that has already proven capable of competing at the highest level.

Final Takeaway

The Connecticut Sun’s 2024 roster is primed for a new chapter, and Rayah Marshall’s addition promises to inject speed, vision, and defensive tenacity into a backcourt that has long been a hallmark of the franchise. The SI.com article, bolstered by game recaps, coaching statements, and statistical analysis, argues that Marshall is not just a complementary player but a potential cornerstone in the Sun’s next phase of competitiveness.

Whether she will anchor the ball‑handling duties, fill in as a versatile swingman, or eventually evolve into a franchise‑level guard, the consensus is clear: Rayah Marshall’s fit into the Connecticut Sun’s plans is both logical and strategically beneficial. As the season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the former Louisville standout adapts to the WNBA’s demands and the Sun’s fast‑paced system.