Canadian Aaliyah Edwards is on the move in just her second season in the league.
The Washington Mystics traded the Kingston, Ont. native to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Jacy Sheldon and 2026 first-round swap rights (Minnesota's own with New York's own), the team announced on Thursday.
Edwards was selected by the Mystics with the sixth pick in the 2024 draft. During her first season in Washington, she averaged 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while holding a regular spot in the starting lineup.
However, the 23-year-old forward's production dipped as a sophomore, holding averages of 6.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. Edwards missed the first two weeks of the 2025 season due to a back contusion and also missed another set of four games at the beginning of July.
While Edwards missed time, Mystics 2025 No. 4 overall pick, Kiki Iriafen, stepped into the Canadian's position in the starting five, and the overlap between the two in terms of skillset became clear. After a great start to the season for the rookie forward, Edwards lost her usual spot in the starting lineup for good.
The move returns Edwards, from Kingston, Ont., to the state where she enjoyed a standout college career with the University of Connecticut.
“Bringing Aaliyah to the Connecticut Sun is more than just a roster move; it’s a statement about where we’re headed as a franchise," Sun general manager Morgan Tuck said in a news release. “Aaliyah is a transformational talent with the mindset and drive that aligns with our vision of building a championship culture.”
The six-foot-three forward was a two-time all-American with UConn, finishing out her senior season with career highs of 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
She has represented Canada multiple times, including at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She helped the senior national team win silver in 2019 and bronze in 2023 at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup.
Meanwhile, Sheldon was selected fifth overall in 2024 by the Dallas Wings but was traded last off-season to the Sun as part of a four-team trade. She is averaging 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists this season.
The Sun are in a rebuilding phase after losing all five of their playoff starters last off-season, and have a 5-23 record. Edwards should offer ascending potential to a team in need of a reset.
-- With files from the Canadian Press
