Mohegan — Allison Hightower, a 2013 WNBA all-star whose career was derailed by a series of knee injuries, was waived Wednesday by the Connecticut Sun.

Hightower, a 5-foot-10 guard, was a second-round draft pick by the Sun in 2010 who blossomed into an all-star four years later.

She missed the final 13 games in 2013 because of a strained right knee, had athroscopic surgery on her left knee in 2014 that cost her 20 games, missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing surgery her right knee, then needed microfracture surgery on her left knee and missed the entire 2016.

"It definitely wears on you mentally and physically," Hightower said earlier in training camp. "There were a few times where I thought, 'Oh, my God, I don't know if I can do this again,' start over.

"I felt that my body could get back to what it was as long as I got my knee back."

Hightower, who averaged 6.2 points in 114 regular season games in her five seasons, began her winter playing overseas in Israel, but returned home early to prepare for the upcoming WNBA season.

She saw limited action in two of Connecticut's three preseason game, scoring just two points and adding three assists.

"We'd like to thank Allison for her contributions to the growth of the franchise during her tenure," Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller said in a statement released by the franchise. "We wish her all the best in the future."

After waiving Hightower, the Sun announced they had claimed Jordan Hooper, a 6-2 forward, off waivers. Hooper, drafted 13th overall out of Nebraska by the Tulsa Shock in 2014, averaged 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 100 career games with the Tulsa, now the Dallas Wings. She was the 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year.

The Sun have 15 players on their roster and must get down to the 12-player limit by 5 p.m. Friday. They open their 2017 season at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena.