Marina Mabrey Praises Indiana Fans as Connecticut Star Makes True Feelings Known About “Leadership” Role

When Marina Mabrey stepped into Gainbridge Fieldhouse, it was a full-circle moment—one steeped in nostalgia. Especially with 16,213 fans roaring louder than ever. And just like that, the NCAA champion gave them exactly what they came to see. Mabrey was dominant, delivering a season-high 26 points that helped lift the previously winless Connecticut Sun to their first victory of the season—ironically, against a team that had the highest odds to win. So when asked about it, Mabrey didn’t hesitate to give credit where it was due.

With a smile, she responded to a question about Indiana fans: “I won a national championship at Notre Dame, they loved me here… I appreciate Indiana fans always.” And that love runs deep. Nearly seven years ago, just 175 miles away from Indianapolis at Nationwide Arena, over 19,000 fans watched Mabrey and the Fighting Irish clinch a national title with a 61–58 win over Mississippi State. Jessica Shepard led the way with 19 points, while Mabrey chipped in with a valuable 10.

Now, seven years later, Mabrey found herself reliving that magic—only this time, it was at the heart of Indiana, and she didn’t share the spotlight. She owned it. She went 10-for-17 from the field, including 4-for-9 from beyond the arc, logging 37 minutes of play and dropping a game-high 26 points. But if you think it was all just Mabrey on the court, think again.

She said it best herself: “It’s hard being a leader at the highest level… credit to my teammates for when I’m making mistakes and not doing it great… and instilling confidence in me. They’re helping me instill confidence in myself, so I appreciate them for that.”

Mabrey came to Connecticut last year after a mid-season trade request from Chicago Sky. In the 16 games that she played, the young guard had plenty support and equal room to shine. Among DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, DiJonai Carrington, and Alyssa Thomas, she averaged 14.9 points and 3.5 rebounds, helping the team to playoffs. But come off-season, she was left all alone.

All of the starters had switched jerseys, leaving Mabrey to deal with an array of new faces. Seemingly overwhelmed guard even put up a trade request which was denied. Her agent argued it was serving no good purpose for the player or the team by extension. “Why would anyone try to force someone to play on their team when they don’t want to be there? It’s counterproductive in a ton of ways,” Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM agency had fired back.

But here she is, taking up a new role she had hardly given a thought, leave alone working towards it. “The reasons that we have for not trading Marina are rooted in positivity,” team president Jennifer Rizzotti had conveyed. ““It’s rooted in a desire to build around her, have her here, have her be the catalyst for what we want to do offensively, taking advantage of her versatility.” 

So the team brought in Tina Charles, helping her with offensive production. Then came Olivia Nelson-Ododa with the winning culture and LSU’s double-double machine Aneesah Morrow. Mabrey is being surrounded by solid foundation, and clearly they are helping her navigate the whole new chapter. She fumbled early in the season, going 5-21 in game 1 and then 3-11 in the following. But if the 26-point performance is any indication, she has the right support by her.

But for Mabrey, it’s never just about playing—it’s about belonging. And whether in South Bend or Indianapolis, it’s clear: she still does.

How had Marina Mabrey been a catalyst for the rookie’s resilience?

For Saniya Rivers, the WNBA experience hasn’t been like that of many others—especially since she missed most of training camp and the season opener due to the passing of her mother. But the No. 8 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun finally made her debut on May 20th against the Las Vegas Aces.

Therein, she contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes off the bench. Over the next four games, she averaged eight points and 3.5 rebounds, reflecting her all-around capabilities. And all of this progress was made possible thanks to the unwavering support Rivers has had since the beginning.

“I feel like as soon as I got here, she let me know off rip I could talk to her… anything you need, I’m here. On the court, she instills confidence in me… I feel like I’ve been taking that into account,” Rivers said about Marina Mabrey. And that’s exactly right. Mabrey isn’t just leading the squad—she’s also mentoring the rookies. So it’s no surprise that she once again served as a catalyst in today’s game. While she posted a team-high 26 points, the entire Sun squad stepped up to support her.

Statistically, it was a tightly contested game. Indiana shot a solid 49.2% from the field and even outscored Connecticut in the paint, 44–30. But the Sun’s sharpshooting from long range—going 10-for-20 for 50%—gave them the edge over Indiana’s 41.2% from beyond the arc. The biggest swing factor, however, was the transition game and turnover battle. The Sun scored 12 fast break points, while the Fever managed only four—showcasing Connecticut’s ability to get out and run, especially off Indiana’s mistakes. And that’s ultimately how the Sun managed to pull off a narrow 85–83 win over the Fever.