WNBA rookies received farewell messages following their release on Wednesday, as first reported by Athlon Sports. Recently, WNBA teams have been actively adjusting rosters due to players returning to their teams.
The last few days have been particularly busy, especially for teams with records around 2-15 looking to shake things up. On Wednesday, the Connecticut Sun added Leila Lacan to their active roster.
Following this move, the Sun waived rookie Kaliata Diaby. Diaby, who played her first WNBA season with Connecticut, appeared in 13 games for the team. After her release, the Sun posted a farewell message on social media, expressing gratitude and wishing her well despite her departure from the league.
The official Connecticut Sun social media account stated, “Thank you, Cariata. With the release of Cariata Diaby, the Connecticut Sun will activate Leila Lacan.”
Diaby has been a professional basketball player since 2014, having played for teams including Charnay Bourgogne Sud, Landerneau Bretagne Basket, ESB Villeneuve-D’Ascq, and Tango Bourges Basket before joining the Sun.
At 6-foot-4, Diaby now looks for new opportunities after her initial WNBA experience. In her rookie season, she averaged 1.9 points, 1 rebound, and 0.4 assists per game.
Diaby was released to make room for Lacan, who had been on a temporary break from the Sun while competing in the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Tournament for the French national team.
Fan Take: This roster change highlights how competitive and dynamic the WNBA landscape is, especially for rookies fighting to secure their spot. For fans, these adjustments are key to seeing which players will rise and shape the future of the league, reflecting its growing depth and international appeal.
