Connecticut Sun bringing back this former UConn star on a two-year deal

As the Connecticut Sun head into their final season calling Uncasville home, it’s fitting that former UConn women’s basketball standout Olivia Nelson-Ododa will remain part of the roster.

Connecticut announced Saturday that it re-signed Nelson-Ododa, who was a restricted free agent, to a two-year contract. The 6-foot-5 center began her career with the Los Angeles Sparks when she was selected in the second round of the 2022 WNBA Draft, and she has been with the Sun since she was traded to the team in January 2023.

Because Nelson-Ododa’s deal is for two years, she is expected to remain part of the franchise when it relocates to Houston in 2027. Mohegan Tribe ownership announced on March 30 that it reached an agreement to sell the Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and move the team to Texas next season.

“I’m so excited to return to Connecticut,” Nelson-Ododa said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to building something special and making the most of our final season in CT.”

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Nelson-Ododa had the most productive year of her professional career in 2025 under first-year head coach Rachid Meziane. She took on a more substantial role in the rotation averaging 8.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21.6 minutes per game — all of which were career-highs. She should be a key factor in the frontcourt again this season alongside the Sun’s marquee free agent signing, 10-time All-Star Brittney Griner.

“Bringing Liv back to Connecticut is a meaningful step for our organization,” said Sun general manager Morgan Tuck in a statement. “We’ve seen her grow in impactful ways, and we truly believe she’s just scratching the surface of her potential in this league. Her approach, competitiveness, and the way she fits within our team identity make her an important part of our future. Liv has embraced this team, this community, and the standard we’re building, and we’re proud that she’s continuing her journey with the Sun.”

At UConn, Nelson-Ododa helped the Huskies to three Final Fours and an appearance in the 2022 NCAA championship game. She was the 2021 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned first team all-conference honors in 2022.

Nelson-Ododa is one of two UConn alumni currently on the Sun’s roster, joined by former teammate Aaliyah Edwards. Edwards was traded to Connecticut by the Washington Mystics in the middle of the 2025 season and appeared in 15 games with the team last year. She shared the court with Nelson-Ododa in Storrs from 2020-22.

Connecticut now has eight players under contract entering 2026 after Griner agreed to a one-year deal Saturday. The team made a trade with the Dallas Wings on Thursday to acquire 2023 All-Rookie forward Diamond Miller, who has a year left on her rookie deal, and it has four other returners on rookie-scale contracts. The team also signed French guard Migna Toure to a training camp contract after she appeared in 18 games last season.

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