Alyssa Thomas may not be back on the floor this season for the Connecticut Sun, but she’s not going anywhere.

Thomas re-signed with Connecticut on Tuesday, weeks after she had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon that will likely force her to miss this season.

“It was a no-brainer,” Thomas said about re-signing. “I’m comfortable in the system that I’m in. I love Connecticut. I love the organization. I love the team.

“I don’t like change, and I’m happy where I am.”

Thomas signed a multi-year deal. Terms were not released per team policy.

“We’ve had multiple conversations that we want AT to end her career in Connecticut and look up in the (Mohegan Sun Arena) rafters and see her number one day (on the banner honoring other Sun greats),” Connecticut head coach and general manager Curt Miller said.

“I think it would be extra special if her number was next to a championship team banner. There’s no doubt that AT has now put herself in position to put her number up there in the rafters.”

Thomas was one of the top free agents this WNBA offseason. The 6-foot-2 forward is a ferocious rebounder and defender, one who can guard multiple positions. She also has the handles to lead the fast break and facilitate the Sun’s offense.

Thomas had one of the best years of her seven-year career during the abbreviated 2020 WNBA season. She finished in the top 20 in points (15.5 ppg, 16th overall), rebounding (9.0 rpg, third), assists (4.8 apg, seventh) and steals (2.0 spg, first).

Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart was the only other player to finish in the top 20 in those same categories.

“AT is a great player and certainly spearheads the way that we play,” Miller said. “We create a lot of our offense around her skill set. We scheme our defensive approach around her multi-faceted ability to guard so many different positions and impact a game.”

Thomas tore her Achilles tendon during a Jan. 12 practice with ZVVZ USK Praha of the Czech Republic (most WNBA players play overseas during the offseason to supplement their incomes).

Thomas had surgery on Jan. 19.

No timetable has been set for Thomas’ return, but the injury is among the most devastating for an athlete. She intends to rehab in Connecticut when the season begins.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Thomas said. “I’m almost two weeks out of surgery now. Getting ready to gear up to get the stitches out and start moving around more. So far, progress is going well.”

Thomas is often described by the team as their “engine” and may be the team’s most irreplaceable player because she affects them in so many ways.

“We’ve pivoted before,” Miller said. “When (former Sun) Chiney (Ogwumike) tore her Achilles (in 2017), we pivoted, had a really good season and finished top four in the league.

“This is a different animal (though) because AT spearheads so much of the way we enjoy playing and how we like to play.”

Thomas was one of Connecticut’s eight free agents this offseason. Jasmine Thomas (point guard), center Brionna Jones and Alyssa Thomas were the top priorities.

The WNBA doesn’t have an injured reserve that allows a player to be paid while their out, leaving the Sun with two undesirable options to deal with Alyssa Thomas’ contract if she can't play this year. They could suspend her, meaning she wouldn’t be paid while she was out.

The other option is to pay her. Her contact, then, would count towards Connecticut’s salary cap and affect its ability to sign other players. She’d also count towards its 12-woman roster.

Miller declined to say what Connecticut would do about Thomas’ status.

n.griffen@theday.com