DiJonai Carrington Reflects on Breakout WNBA Season and Historic Game at TD Garden

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — DiJonai Carrington, the Connecticut Sun guard, has cemented herself as one of the WNBA‘s rising stars after a breakout 2024 season. Carrington, who earned Most Improved Player and All-Defensive First Team honors, reflected on her journey and the historic moments that defined her year.

Carrington’s rise to prominence was no accident. In 2022, she set ambitious goals, writing down “Most Improved Player” and “Sixth Woman of the Year” as her targets. By 2024, she had not only achieved those goals but also secured a starting role, averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. Her defensive prowess earned her a reputation as one of the league’s top defenders.

“I knew the work I was putting in and I know what I’m capable of,” Carrington said in an interview. “I just was ready for the moment, and it was just about opportunity for me. Once the opportunity came, I knew that everything else would kind of follow.”

Carrington’s consistency and effort were key to her success. “The biggest thing I was impressed with myself was my motor and the consistency,” she said. “It’s easy to be good in spurts. It’s easy to be good for half a season or for a few games against specific teams. But it’s hard to be consistent and to do that throughout a whole season on offense and defense.”

One of the highlights of Carrington’s season came on Aug. 2, 2024, when the Sun played in front of a sold-out crowd at Boston’s TD Garden. A record 19,156 tickets were sold, marking the most-attended game in the franchise’s history. The atmosphere was electric, with fans rallying behind the team in a way that left a lasting impression on Carrington.

“That was crazy. Just that NBA arena-type vibe was just insane,” she said. “Having our big old posters — it was just so much buzz around it within the New England community, and I think that was so exciting. How excited the city got for the game was just insane. … So I’m excited to hopefully do more of that in the future.”

The Sun will return to TD Garden on July 15 for a highly anticipated matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Carrington’s journey from setting goals to achieving them serves as a testament to her dedication and resilience, and she is poised to continue making waves in the WNBA.