Kaila Charles' smile got bigger and bigger as a reporter told her that teammate Jasmine Thomas, who preceded her during Saturday’s Connecticut Sun postgame video conference with the media, said that some of the team's veterans believe she's their toughest defender at practice.

“It is definitely cool,” Charles responded to the compliment. “Hearing DB (DeWanna Bonner) talking about (at practice), ‘I don’t want Kalia guarding me today’, it gives me confidence because these are the greats, and they think I can guard them.”

Connecticut plays the Atlanta Dream on Monday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. (6 p.m.). It’ll be the first time it plays against Shekinna Stricklen and Courtney Williams, who had been three-year starters for the Sun.

Stricklen signed a free agent deal with the Dream. Williams, who was also a free agent, requested that Connecticut trade her to Atlanta so she could be closer to home.

Charles was among the positives for the Sun (1-5) during Saturday’s 100-93 loss to the Chicago Sky. The rookie played over 25 minutes off the bench and scored 15.

“She had a big offensive night for us, but what kept her on the floor all of those minutes is she is really physical,” Sun head coach Curt Miller said. “She stayed in plays and gave us a body on (Allie Quigley).”

Quigley, one of the greatest 3-point shooters in league history, scored 12 of her 22 points in the first quarter.

“Quigley had 10 points immediately out of the gate,” Miller continued. “We needed to change something. Kalia gave us a spark. She’s a pesky, disruptive defender at times. She earned (to start) coming out of halftime with that starting group. I’m really proud of her. She’s waited her time. She’s spent a lot of time on the second unit at practice, or even helping simulate the other team’s offense.”

Miller was elated when Charles, a 6-foot-1 wing from Maryland, was still available when the Sun picked her in the second round (No. 23 overall) in April's draft. He said the team had ranked her among the draft's top 10 players.

Miller started in all 135 games that she played over four seasons, tying Alyssa Thomas, her Connecticut teammate, for the most games played in Maryland history. She earned All-Big Ten first-team honors three times (2018-20) and was a two-time finalist for the C. Miller Award as the nation’s top small forward.

“She’s a strong, physical guard for us,” Jasmine Thomas said. “She’s a tough kid. She works hard. She learns on the fly. You can see she’s adjusting to things that she’s being taught at this level. You saw it (Saturday). She gets in the paint, she can finish with contact, and she’s a physical defender.”

Charles said, “I was just being patient and wasn’t trying to force (shots). ... Being able to settle in and get more shots gave me more confidence. I just think it came from my defense. That’s how I’ve been earning more minutes on the floor. That’s what gets me going.”

The WNBA’s Class of 2020 has had a much different experience than their predecessors because training camps were just two weeks long and they’re both playing — and living — in the “Wubble”, the name WNBA players have given the bubble in Bradenton, Fla., where they’re sheltered from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charles said it’s helped to have fellow Maryland grads Brionna Jones and Alyssa Thomas as Sun teammates.

“I say this all the time — it’s great to have them here,” Charles said “I’ve never left home (Maryland), so being away from home and having familiar faces have definitely helped me settle in, helped me gain more confidence, helped me get better every single day.

“All the vets are helping me but having those two that I knew before coming here has definitely helped my transition be more smooth. We’re having a lot of fun.”

n.griffen@theday.com