​Olivia Nelson-Ododa Embracing ‘Very High’ Confidence, Breakout Season With Connecticut Sun originally appeared on NESN.
Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Connecticut Sun went through quite an offseason, changing up their roster. There were and currently are plenty of obstacles in the way of the franchise moving to Houston next season. However, that hasn’t stopped several players from stepping up when it matters most.That includes Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the longest-tenured player on the roster.The 19th overall pick by the Sparks (second round) in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Nelson-Ododa was traded to the Sun in 2023. The 25-year-old, who started her journey as a member of the UConn Huskies, has stepped up since her first season in Connecticut.Nelson-Ododa started her Sun career averaging 4.5 points per game. Last season, she averaged 8.2 points. This year? 9.4. She also increased her rebound total from last year (averaging 5.6 compared to 5.0), as well as assists (1.9 compared to 0.9), and steals (0.9 compared to 0.7).MORE:How Long is Saniya Rivers Out? Ankle Injury Updates, Return Timeline for Connecticut Sun StarThe 25-year-old initially earned opportunities when veteran Brittney Griner was out with an injury. She’s led the team in offense and rebounds on occasion. Nelson-Ododa’s learned to take her time with her shots. The improvement and confidence in her abilities brought her back to her days at UConn.”There’s actually something from UConn that Coach (Geno Auriemma), told me, or told us, that always stuck with me; that finishing, especially like layups and close things like that, is all about focus,” said Nelson-Ododa via CT Insider.”That always has stuck with me, just like maintaining that focus when you’re finishing, when you’re going up, and that really goes a long way, especially in the games, in the heat of battle, the moments where you’re tired, where you can see your finishing dropping off, or you tend to make more mistakes.”ONO GETTING ACTIVEEEE 🔋#GetClose | #CTSunpic.twitter.com/lpWrI6T9Ax— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 9, 2026The Sun may not make the playoffs this year, they are 6-18 as of July 16, but the team is doing everything imaginable to show they can be the real deal. That’s especially true with veterans and young stars like Nelson-Ododa, Griner, Aaliyah Edwards, and Gianna Kneepkens stepping up.Nelson-Ododa has helped set the tone in the frontcourt, showcasing a brand of confidence her teammates and peers haven’t seen since she was in UConn. That may be the secret formula to her success for years to come.”She’s just hooping at this point. She’s not really thinking about anything, and I love to see it because it reminds me of back in our UConn days,” Edwards said. “I’m glad that she’s really tapping into herself, especially this season.”As the season continues to grow on, fans should continue to watch Nelson-Odoa, who figures to be a major part of the team not only this ye