The Connecticut Solar are holding on to Marina Mabrey, even after the guard requested to be traded earlier this month.
Connecticut shot down that request, prompting Mabrey’s agent, Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM company, to closely criticize the Solar and their resolution to not exit and make a commerce.
“On this present age of ladies’s empowerment and help of the gamers, the CT Solar threatening to drive Marina Mabrey to play for them after her commerce request is mind-boggling,” Crenshaw stated in an announcement issued to ESPN on Tuesday. “Why would anybody attempt to drive somebody to play on their crew once they do not need to be there?
“It is counterproductive in a ton of how and everybody we’ve spoken to is perplexed about how they’re dealing with Marina. … The coach parted methods. No free brokers returned and they’re doing all they’ll to attempt to drive Marina to remain when she clearly does not need to be there. It is fascinating.”
Staff president Jennifer Rizzotti insists that Connecticut is trying to construct round Mabrey, and he or she additionally does not really feel comfy buying and selling a participant who price a lot to get. The Solar despatched Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, their 2025 first-round draft decide and a 2026 decide swap to the Chicago Sky final season to herald Mabrey.
Mabrey had requested a commerce whereas in Chicago, resulting in the take care of Connecticut.
“The explanations that we’ve for not buying and selling Marina are rooted in positivity,” Rizzotti instructed ESPN. “It is rooted in a need to construct round her, have her right here, have her be the catalyst for what we need to do offensively, profiting from her versatility.”
The Solar have been dismantled this offseason, shedding Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner, amongst others.
Mabrey, 28, performed in a complete of 40 video games (27 begins) final season throughout her time with the Sky and the Solar. She averaged 14.4 factors, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Connecticut is coming off a 28-12 season. The Solar reached the WNBA semifinals, the place they misplaced to the Minnesota Lynx in 5 video games.
–Area Stage Media