Jacy Sheldon (No. 4) of the Connecticut Sun takes to the offensive lane against Erica Wheeler (No. 17) of the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — For Jacy Sheldon, the second year of her WNBA journey brings new surroundings, new teammates and a coaching staff with a refreshing style. It is already starting to feel like home.
“I’m doing well,” Sheldon said. “I’ve been here for over a week now, so getting settled in. And it’s been great. It’s been great getting a little lay of the land and get comfortable here at practice. But it’s been great so far.”
Sheldon spent her rookie season with the Dallas Wings before being traded to the Connecticut Sun during the offseason. Despite having just one year of professional experience, Sheldon made a significant leap in her rookie campaign — progressing from a bench contributor to a trusted starter who showcased versatility and defensive grit.
“I think just getting one year under my belt, you learn a lot,” Sheldon said. “You learn — you’re kind of unexpected your first year. I don’t know what to expect going into year two with having that one season, but [I’m] a little more comfortable out there and working on changes [to] be just getting comfortable with the ball, getting comfortable within our offense and our defense too, and learning how to play together. But we have a good spot here, so I’m really excited to get the season going.”
With a new coaching staff and roster adjustments in place, the Sun are building chemistry and evaluating rotations. As a native of Dublin, Ohio, and a former standout at Ohio State, Sheldon appreciates the team’s intense and competitive environment.
“It’s been fun. It’s a lot of competing, a lot of playing, a lot of up and down. So it’s what we need to, you know, get comfortable and learn to play together,” she said. “It’s an exciting time. A lot of opportunity on this team. And I think people are looking at us and saying, ‘What are they going to do this year?’ And I think that is fuel for us. We don’t look at ourselves as the underdog. We’re ready to go out there and compete, so we’re excited for it.”
Much of that excitement stems from working with new Sun head coach Rachid Meziane, whose coaching style has earned Sheldon’s respect.
“I love Coach’s coaching style. I love it. He’s blunt, he’s hard on us, and I think that’s exactly what good teams need, and it’s great,” Sheldon said. “He’s an amazing coach and getting more and more comfortable with him every day. And I think he’s getting more and more comfortable here, because you guys know he’s not from here, but his playing style is great. He loves to play fast. He wants to close the pace, and then obviously, just wants us all to stay together out there.”
Communication has become a key theme as the team develops cohesion on both ends of the floor.
Jacy Sheldon (No. 4) continues to bring her high energy playing style, this time with the Connecticut Sun. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
“We’re big on communication right now, because everything’s new,” she said. “So I think we just really, our main focus is talking to each other and helping each other become comfortable. But Coach has been great. Coach has been great, and I’m excited to, you know, learn even more about him… so it’ll be a fun year.”
Embracing leadership responsibilities, Sheldon has stepped into a mentorship role for rookies such as Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Morrow and Rayah Marshall. Her own experiences as a rookie shape how she approaches that support.
“It’s been fun. I watched all of them playing college too, and Rayah as well. And geez, Rivers and all of them, Aneesah and just love watching their games,” Sheldon said. “I know a lot about their games, and I also know what it feels like to be in their position, to be a rookie. So just helping them out, and in all the ways that my person was Maddy Siegrist in Dallas, who had been there before, knew what I was going through, was there when I needed to talk. And [I’m] just being that for them, I think.”
The effort has not gone unnoticed, especially as the rookies continue to embrace the demands of training camp.
“They’re doing great. They’re adapting really well, playing their butts off every day. And I know it’s hard. I know training camp, mentally, it’s hard on them. So just being there for them and helping them through this process,” she observed.
Growth remains a focus for Sheldon as her offseason was centered on elevating her scoring and decision-making.
“I did a lot of work in the offseason, and I think majority of it is conditioning that comes from my workouts. I go hard in my workouts, and that’s my source of conditioning,” she said. “But I did a lot of ball screen work, a lot of midrange work, shooting behind ball screens, and I incorporated all three levels into that training.”
With training camp and preseason wrapped up, she is already seeing the benefits of that focused work.
Jacy Sheldon closely guards Erica Wheeler in a preseason game between the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
“I’m already feeling the effects out there and obviously continuing to get better here with the Sun now, but you know the best practices playing,” Sheldon said. “So now that we’re here, we’re going up and down and being able to apply it. And it’s been great.”
Perspective remains central to Sheldon’s approach as she continues to find joy in the daily grind.
“That’s a great question, and I don’t think I’ve figured that whole thing out yet,” she said. “But we’re coming in here and we’re doing something we love every day, and I think that’s all you can ask for. Most of us here, basketball is our passion, and that’s what we love to do. So coming in here is, yeah, it’s coming to work, but it’s coming to do what you love.”
Then, Sheldon paused thoughtfully.
“I think just being honestly thankful for that and remembering to enjoy it, even on the hard days, because there are some. But yeah, I’ve just been working on that. You’re competing so much that sometimes you forget what you’re in and how cool it is… but it is pretty cool,” she said with a smile.
Editor’s Notes
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