Two Connecticut Sun players test positive for COVID-19
Connecticut Sun guards Natisha Hiedeman and Briann January both texted positive for the COVID-19 virus and did not travel with the team to training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., the team announced Sunday.
Hiedeman first tested positive during the team's round of testing from June 28-July 5, completed before the team left. In accordance with the CDC's close contact self-quarantine guidance, January was held back from making the trip as a precaution before eventually testing positive herself.
Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller said Sunday that January had previously tested negative six times.
Both individuals have remained in self-isolation and are complying with all health and safety protocols put in place by the WNBA and CDC. The pair are expected to arrive to IMG following a succession of two negative tests and will begin another round of quarantine and testing once on campus.
"We miss them," Miller said about January and Hiedeman. "We miss their personalities. We miss their talent. We miss their ball-handling."
The absence of January and Hiedeman leaves the Sun with almost no depth at point guard. They have five-year starter Jasmine Thomas and Jacki Gemelos, the latter who was signed last month and hasn't played in the WNBA since 2015.
Miller quipped, "I think Jas would like to tell everyone that she would like one play off in practice soon.”
Hiedeman is beginning her second year in the league after re-signing with the Sun in the offseason, while January, an 11-year veteran, came to Connecticut from Phoenix as part of a three-team trade this February.
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