Mohegan - Connecticut, long since the once and future home office of women's college basketball, is about to retire the trophy as the headquarters for the WNBA, too.

The league announced Wednesday at Mohegan Sun that the casino will present the 2015 WNBA Draft (April 16) and All-Star Game (July 25). The draft will be televised by ESPN2 and the All-Star game will be on ABC (Ch. 8).

"This says a lot about our fans. Their loyalty and their knowledge of women's basketball," Sun vice president and general manager Chris Sienko said. "I know it might feel like same old, same old, but we are very excited. We're glad the WNBA entrusts us with this."

The draft played to a large crowd at the Sun last year, during which Chiney Ogwumike, Connecticut's first pick and the first overall, received a large ovation. It will be the fourth time Mohegan Sun has played host to the All-Star game.

The draft will begin at 7 p.m. Connecticut has the fourth pick overall, although fans will have an interest as to where UConn's Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Kiah Stokes are drafted.

Seattle holds the top pick in the draft.

The All-Star game will be televised in more than 200 countries, league president Laurel Richie said.

"Some of our greatest all-star moments have been here," Richie said. "There's a history of sellout crowds and record-breaking performances."

Sienko said Sun season-ticket holders will have an opportunity to purchase their current seat for All-Star game in advance of a public on-sale date. Others will have an opportunity to purchase tickets before the public sale, including fans who purchase a Connecticut Sun mini-plan.

m.dimauro@theday.com Twitter: @BC genius