MM 7.27: Alyssa Thomas leads the way for former Terps in first weekend of WNBA action

Facing tight defense on the block, Brionna Jones pivoted and threw a perfectly directed bounce pass behind her defender into the hands of Alyssa Thomas.

The former Maryland women’s basketball star then sunk a layup with ease to give the Connecticut Sun a 10-6 lead in the first quarter of its matchup against the Minnesota Lynx Sunday.

Terp connections were on full display throughout the afternoon, with rookie Kaila Charles rounding out the Sun trio. At multiple points, all three shared the floor together.

“It’s huge. I’ve talked a lot in the past about, you know, when Terps are able to be out there together just speaks volumes about what Brenda Frese is doing at Maryland,” Thomas said after the game. “So I’m really happy that they’re on this team and I’m able to play with them.”

Though the Suns gave up a lead in the fourth quarter and lost 77-69, Thomas dazzled with 20 points (7-for-11 FG), eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. In her first career start, Jones put up 10 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two assists. And Kaila Charles added two points, two rebounds and two blocks in her WNBA debut.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Crystal Langhorne and Tianna Hawkins also all played their first games of the season at the league’s bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, over the weekend as well.

Walker-Kimbrough had eight points, including two three-pointers, one assist and one steal in the Phoenix Mercury’s 99-76 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Langhorne secured two rebounds in seven minutes for the Seattle Storm in their 87-71 win against the New York Liberty, and Hawkins played two minutes for the Mystics in a 101-76 win over the Indiana Fever.

In other news

On the latest ouTTakes Podcast released Friday, Matt and I had a fun conversation with 2001 ACC Offensive Player of the Year Bruce Perry.

Mike continued our 2020 Maryland football season preview series with a look at freshman running back Isaiah Jacobs.

Maryland football head coach Mike Locksley secured a commitment from three-star defensive back Corey Coley Jr. Saturday.

Former Terp Yannick Ngakoue is giving back to the Prince George’s County community.

Connecticut Sun head coach Curt Miller gave his thoughts on Kaila Charles’ debut.

Former Maryland men’s lacrosse had big plays across the Premier Lacrosse League over the weekend.

Former Terp Brandon Lowe had a big play for the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday.