Jacy Sheldon (No. 4) of the Connecticut Sun continually proves herself as an energetic asset for her team. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Jacy Sheldon’s journey to Connecticut was not linear, but it is becoming a defining chapter in her young WNBA career.
After being drafted fifth overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Sheldon spent her rookie season navigating a crowded backcourt. The Ohio State University guard was acquired by the Connecticut Sun in an offseason trade aimed at reinforcing their perimeter depth.
Through the first month of the 2025 season, she is doing more than that — she is emerging as one of the team’s most consistent two-way players.
“I think at the end of the day, we still have a lot to get better on and improve on,” Sheldon said following a 12-point, four-rebound, three-assist, three-steal performance against the Chicago Sky on Sunday. “And I think that starts sometimes with me on the defensive end and pressuring. And I think I waited a little too long to do that.”
Now in her sophomore campaign, Sheldon is averaging 7.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game through 10 contests with the Sun. She is shooting 50.0% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. The numbers reflect her growth — but her value goes beyond the box score.
In a season where the Sun have battled injuries, lineup shuffling and the challenge of identifying key rotations en route to a 2–8 start, Sheldon has become a steadying presence in the backcourt alongside veteran Bria Hartley and offensive engine Marina Mabrey.
“I think just looking ahead and looking forward, continuing to prepare ourselves and like Marina mentioned, just continuing to get better,” Sheldon said. “The things that we need to get better at — holding each other accountable and continuing to practice that and rep those out. And just really focusing on getting better.”
Sheldon credits her offseason work with helping her transition into a larger role with Connecticut. Though her rookie season in Dallas provided valuable experience, it was a summer of focused skill development that laid the foundation for her sophomore leap.
Jacy Sheldon has shown her versatility each game night for the Connecticut Sun. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)
“Yeah, I did a lot of work in the offseason,” she said. “I think majority of it is… conditioning comes from my workouts. I go hard in my workouts, and that’s kind of my source of conditioning. But [I] did a lot of ball screen work, a lot of mid-range work, shooting behind ball screens, and just kind of incorporated all three levels into that training.”
Her ability to shoot off the dribble and navigate pick-and-roll scenarios has stood out through the early season. Notably, Sheldon has shown growing confidence in pick-and-roll sets and off-ball movement, routinely creating space and knocking down shots off screens. Her ability to stay composed late in the shot clock has also become an asset in Connecticut’s evolving half-court offense.
Still adjusting to life in Connecticut after growing up in Ohio and spending her rookie year in Texas, Sheldon has embraced the change in scenery.
“I like to keep myself busy, which isn’t always good,” she said, smiling. “So I like to stay in the gym as much as I can. Get extra shots up. I’m exploring Connecticut right now, looking for the best food places and learning to cook. Hopefully, it’s sunny here. I could start to tan a little bit, but that’s about it.”
Through Connecticut’s tough start, Sheldon has started in five of the team’s 10 games, splitting time between the starting five and second unit, with her role adapting based on matchups and game flow. She has scored in double figures in four of those outings, including 15 points against the Washington Mystics on June 8, a 10-point performance against the New York Liberty on June 1, and 11 points in the season opener against the Mystics on May 18.
In Sunday’s game against Chicago, Sheldon shot 80% from the field, finishing with 12 points, three assists and three steals in a game where the Sun were in position to score a Father’s Day victory before the Sky pulled ahead in the second half. Head coach Rachid Meziane has repeatedly pointed to Sheldon’s motor and commitment as examples for the rest of the team.
Jacy Sheldon has earned the trust and respect of Rachid Meziane, head coach of the Connecticut Sun. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)
“She’s one of the most consistent players,” Meziane said. “She did a very good training camp and her first games were very good. She had some troubles when we start our season. But since the last two or three games, I think that she responds well. She brings her energy. She’s playing more and more.”
That energy has translated to defensive stops as well. Sheldon ranks among the top five guards in steal rate this season and often guards the opponent’s best perimeter scorer in critical moments.
“You have to fight for everything,” Meziane said. “And we have to do whatever it takes to win. She’s a good example through her energy and how she fought. So I hope that her teammates around her can see what she did and just do the same thing.”
While Sheldon’s individual performances have been strong, she is quick to focus on team goals. Her leadership is felt through her actions on the floor — full-court pressure, crashing the boards, or taking a charge.
“The practice leading up to this, we practiced really hard, prepared really well,” Sheldon said after Sunday’s game. “And I think we’ve honestly executed our plan [for a] majority of the game and broke down a little bit defensively towards the end there in the second half.
“But we’ll go back to the drawing board. That’s this league. I think it was nice having a week. But now we got a lot of games in a short amount of time. And that’s just how this league is and that’s what we’ll continue to prepare. It might look a little different this week because of our schedule, but we’ll be ready to go.”
Jacy Sheldon continually works on her craft for the Connecticut Sun. Jacy Sheldon (No. 4) of the Connecticut Sun continually proves herself as an energetic asset for her team. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)
That stretch includes a critical five-games-in-nine-days run starting Tuesday in Indianapolis against the Indiana Fever. The Sun will need Sheldon’s steadiness and grit to string wins against a competitive Eastern Conference field.
With a year of WNBA experience behind her, a new role in Connecticut, and the confidence of her coaching staff and teammates, Sheldon is proving she belongs. If her upward trajectory continues, she could soon be known as one of the league’s premier two-way guards — not just a young player learning the ropes.
For now, she will keep showing up, grinding and growing.
And when the Sun need someone to make a play, Sheldon will likely be in the middle of it.
