Connecticut Sun land four on WNBA’s All-Defensive Teams

The WNBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams were announced on Sunday. Of the 10 selected players, four play for the Connecticut Sun.

Jonquel Jones and Briann January were named to the All-Defensive First Team, while Jasmine Thomas and Brionna Jones received second-team honors. The recipients were selected by a 49-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

January and J. Jones were named alongside Brianna Turner, Sylvia Fowles, and Brittney Sykes. In addition to Thomas and B. Jones, the second team included Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, and Ariel Atkins.

As a team, Connecticut held their opponents to less than 70 points in a total of 18 contests and had the number one overall defensive rating, 91.7.

Awards season begins with defense.

Congrats Briann, JJ, Jas, and Breezy! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/PN7NPMm6g5

— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 26, 2021

For the second time in her career, J. Jones was named to the All-Defensive First Team. Last week, the star forward was named Just Women’s Sports’ WNBA MVP as well as a member the All-Defensive team.

January, who is currently in her 13th year in the league, received first-team honors from the WNBA for the fifth time.

Connecticut Sun point guard and captain Thomas finds herself on the All-Defensive Second Team for the second time in her career. This is also her fifth time being named to one of the defensive teams after being selected to the All-Defensive First Team from 2017 to 2019.

B. Jones received the first WNBA All-Defensive Team award of her career. The most improved player candidate also averaged a career-high 14.7 points and career-high 30.6 minutes per game.

The No. 1 Sun earned a bye to the WNBA semifinals.