Connecticut Sun’s DiJonai Carrington Wins WNBA Most Improved Player Award

DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Connecticut Sun celebrates after making a three-pointer against the Indiana Fever during the second half of a first round WNBA playoff game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Sept. 22, 2024. Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington is used to drawing a tough assignment, which means matching up against the team’s most skilled player.

She also quickly creates a turnover to spark the Sun’s efficient transition game.

Carrington was also a force on the offensive end of the floor, averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.56 steals, well above her stats from last season.

For that progress, Carrington was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player on Wednesday. She received a trophy commemorating the award and $5,150 in prize money.

The Sun also eliminated WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs with an 87–81 victory on Tuesday night.

“It’s always exciting to have your hard work and all of those things recognized,” Carrington said at a press conference following the Game 2 victory. “But also shout out to my team because the position that we are in allows me to garner awards like that, you know, finishing at the top half of the league.”

Carrington, who the Sun selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, received 28 of 67 votes from sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby received the second-most votes with 18, followed by Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (15 votes) and Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter (3).

Carrington is the fifth Sun player to win the Most Improved Player Award, joining Brionna Jones (2021), Jonquel Jones (2017), Kelsey Bone (2015), and Wendy Palmer, a co-winner in 2004 with Kelly Miller of Indiana.

For the first time this season, Carrington was a regular starter, appearing in 39 games. The Sun had their best season in franchise history, finishing 28-12 and earning the No. 3 seed in the WNBA playoffs.

Carrington was part of a stout Connecticut defense that led the league in fewest points allowed (73.6) and had the best turnover rate (20.9). The Sun also ranked with 8.2 steals per game.

Carrington had some tough battles in the playoff series against the upstart Fever, who were the sixth seed. There was a mini-controversy when Carrington hit Clark in the eye in the first quarter of Game 1. Some people on social media questioned whether the contact was on purpose, but both players dismissed that idea. In addition, a foul was not called on the play, and the Sun rolled to a 93–69 victory.

Carrington played tough defense on Clark throughout the two-game series, helping the Sun advance to the semifinals against the Minnesota Lynx. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday.

Carrington’s teammates had always seen her potential and knew it was a matter of time before she had a breakout season. The Sun are setting their sights on a WNBA title, with Carrington playing a key role.

“I think this is a moment of just showing what she is capable of,” Sun forward Alyssa Thomas, a five-time WNBA All-Star, said at the press conference following Game 2 of the playoffs. “We’ve always had the utmost belief in her. Just a cool moment to see her get the recognition that she deserves. This is just the beginning.”