Sun hire former WNBA player Roneeka Hodges as new assistant coach

“Having an experienced former player like Roneeka on staff will be a great asset to the Sun,” Meziane said in a Connecticut Sun press release. “She brings passion for the game, a winning spirit, and an understanding of what it takes to be a great coach. I’m looking forward to working alongside her in Connecticut and continuing to grow together.”

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Hodges served as an assistant coach for the New York Liberty from 2022-2024, helping lead the franchise to its first WNBA championship in 2024. Her hiring in Connecticut raises questions related to why she left a Liberty franchise competing for titles and most recently won a championship.

League sources told The Next that the role Hodges will have in Connecticut is an expanded role that the Liberty couldn’t provide her, in which she’ll have more responsibilities. This role could include a higher salary or contributing more on the bench during practices and gameplay.

As a former WNBA player, Hodges brings valuable experience to the Sun. She was drafted No. 15 overall in the 2005 WNBA draft by Houston, where she spent four seasons before moving to the Minnesota Lynx via a dispersal draft prior to the 2009 season. She also spent time on other WNBA rosters including the San Antonio Silver Stars (2010-2011), Indiana Fever (2012), Tulsa Shock (2012-2014) and Atlanta Dream (2015). The WNBA vet tallied 327 games played during her career.

Hodges’ collegiate career included stops at LSU (2000-2003) and Florida State (2004-2005), where she won first team All-ACC honors and Kodak Region II All-American honors in her senior year. Before her position with the Liberty, Hodges coached collegiately at Colgate University (2021-2022) and Old Dominion University (2020-2021) as an assistant.

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The Connecticut Sun begin their 2025 season at home against the Washington Mystics on May 18 and are excited to have Hodges be a part of their journey.

“We are thrilled to welcome Roneeka to our coaching staff. Her experience as both a coach and player at the highest level in our league and overseas brings a unique perspective and skill set to our organization,” Connecticut Sun general manager, Morgan Tuck, said in a press release. “Combined with her passion for developing talent, her experience makes her an invaluable addition to our coaching staff. Roneeka brings a strong work ethic, a deep understanding of the game, and championship experience which will contribute greatly to maintaining a winning culture. We are confident that she will make a significant impact on our organization and players.”

Jackie Powell contributed reporting to this story.