Aaliyah Edwards is quietly revolutionizing the Connecticut Sun's perception of her potential! The Unrivaled competition is quickly proving itself to be a captivating event in the basketball world, and more importantly, it's becoming a powerful stage for overlooked players to shine. Connecticut Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards is a prime example, demonstrating that with the right opportunities, she can absolutely be a star. She's essentially forcing the franchise to give this scoring sensation from the Lunar Owls a proper chance to make her mark in the WNBA.
When you think of Edwards, 'devastating scorer' might not be the first phrase that comes to mind for analysts, especially recalling her time as a UConn star. She's more often seen as a player who brings infectious energy, embodies hard work, plays with grit, possesses a fierce defensive mentality, and is always ready to do whatever it takes to help her team secure a victory.
During the 2025 WNBA season, where she played for both the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun, Edwards averaged a modest 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in about 15 minutes per game. Even after joining the Sun, it was clear she wasn't slated to be a primary offensive weapon, as she averaged only four field-goal attempts per game.
But here's where it gets interesting: Unrivaled is showing us that this lack of significant offensive involvement isn't because Edwards lacks the skills to lead an offense, but rather because she hasn't been given a sufficient opportunity to do so.
Edwards is on an absolute scoring tear for the Lunar Owls!
While the Lunar Owls might be struggling at the bottom of the Unrivaled standings with only two wins in nine games, this hasn't stopped Aaliyah Edwards from delivering an incredible series of standout performances. In fact, it seems to have allowed her to truly flourish offensively.
In the seven games she's played for the Owls, Edwards is averaging an astonishing 21.4 points and 13 rebounds, shooting an impressive 56.8% from the field. Her most remarkable game was a 38-point outburst in just 21 minutes during an 84-72 loss to the Laces, where she made 12 out of 19 field-goal attempts.
After concluding the 2025 season with a disappointing 11-33 record, the Connecticut Sun absolutely needs to act quickly to address the issues that hampered their ability to win games. Edwards has now provided compelling evidence that she could be a significant part of the solution. Now, can we realistically expect a player to replicate these scoring feats in a standard 5v5 WNBA game? Probably not. The dynamics of a 3v3 format, with its unique spacing and offensive flow, are quite different from a traditional 5v5 matchup.
And this is the part most people miss: Nevertheless, increasing her role in offensive plays will undoubtedly benefit both the team and Edwards herself. This shouldn't just be about finding ways for Edwards to take more shots. The Sun's management needs to strategically retool the roster and bring in players who can effectively spread the floor. This would create more open lanes and opportunities for Edwards to operate in the paint without being constantly swarmed by defenders.
Aaliyah Edwards' performances in Unrivaled are a clear signal that her offensive talent is far greater than what the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics have previously acknowledged. Now, Connecticut has a golden opportunity to reshape the franchise's future for the upcoming season by building a team that truly complements the 23-year-old's impressive skill set.
What do you think? Should the Connecticut Sun build their offense around Aaliyah Edwards, or is her Unrivaled success a product of a different game format that won't translate to the WNBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
