At the conclusion of Friday’s Connecticut Sun practice in Uncasville, French rookie Leila Lacan found herself hesitantly pulled into the center of a dance circle by teammate Haley Peters. Having met most of her teammates just a day earlier, Lacan laughed as Peters mimicked her quick dance moves. The 21-year-old, who previously worked as a security guard, has experienced a rapid transition since joining the WNBA midseason, but her vibrant energy is already noticeable on the court.
“This league is the best in the world,” Lacan shared after her first official practice with the Sun. “I’m grateful for the chance to be here. I’m excited to play alongside my teammates and see what we can achieve.”
Lacan arrived in Connecticut on Wednesday, just days after France’s loss to Italy in the bronze medal game. She completed the team’s physical and medical tests on Thursday and took to the court with her new teammates on Friday. Lacan, whose only prior visit to the U.S. was as a child over a decade ago in New York City, was drafted 10th overall in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Sun. The team had retained her rights while she played overseas last season. Lacan has crossed paths with Connecticut coach Rachid Meziane before at FIBA events; while Meziane coached Belgium’s national team, Lacan played in the French league. However, this is their first time working together on the same side.
“She’s a playmaker and a fierce defender,” Meziane said. “She can go one-on-one with the best players, which is something we need. While others can contribute defensively, she brings a different intensity.”
Lacan’s arrival is timely for a Sun team struggling after a tough four-game road trip last week. They are in the midst of the longest losing streak in franchise history, sitting at 2-15 and holding the lowest win total in the league. Veteran guard Marina Mabry is sidelined with a knee injury and unlikely to return soon, while injuries to other key players have kept the team from forming consistent chemistry.
Despite the team’s early-season struggles, Lacan comes in fresh and ready to contribute. She recently led Crabrand to the 2025 French league championship, earning Finals MVP honors before preparing for Eurobasket. Meziane believes she’s ready to impact the Sun quickly, though her playing time may be limited initially. Lacan is expected to make her WNBA debut in Sunday’s game at Mohegan Sun against the Las Vegas Aces.
“You can see her energy in practice,” Meziane noted. “For players who haven’t been through what we have, it’s like a reset for the team. She’ll be valuable on both ends of the floor, and I’m eager to see how fast she adapts to our system.”
Lacan hasn’t taken a break from basketball in almost a year, starting with the 2024 Paris Olympics. After France secured a silver medal, she swiftly returned to the French league, joining Crabrand after two seasons with Angers. Last season, she averaged career highs with 14.4 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. She also played nearly 19 minutes per game for France during Eurobasket. Lacan says the excitement of beginning her WNBA journey keeps her motivated.
“It’s all new, but the adrenaline feels great,” she said with a smile. “My body feels good, and I hope it stays that way. The pace here is much faster, back and forth, while in Europe we focus more on set plays. The biggest adjustment is the speed and physicality.”
Fan Take: Leila Lacan’s arrival injects fresh talent and energy into a struggling Connecticut Sun team, offering hope for a midseason turnaround. Her international experience and defensive prowess could make her a key player to watch, signaling the growing global reach and competitive depth of the WNBA.
