The bright lights of New York City have seen their share of superstars, but on Monday, DiJonai Carrington joined the big stage in a big way—and not just because she’s balling out in the WNBA. Carrington, the breakout star of the Connecticut Sun, celebrated her face on a New York billboard, cozied up next to WNBA legends Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson. Talk about prime real estate!
This giant Instagram-sponsored billboard was splashed across the city, and Carrington’s reaction? Pure joy, as anyone would expect. It’s not every day you get to say, “Look, Ma! I made it!”—especially when you’re sharing the spotlight with two of the biggest names in women’s basketball. But Carrington’s not the type to just sit back and bask in the moment; she’s already hyping up next season like it’s the next blockbuster movie. “Being able to be me on the biggest stage is a blessing🙏🏽 ,” Carrington captioned her celebratory Instagram post, before adding the kicker, “Buckle up for next season 😏.”
Translation: Carrington is just getting started, and if you think 2024 was wild, you haven’t seen anything yet.
Carrington’s Glow-Up
The 26-year-old guard didn’t just secure her first major billboard this year; she secured her spot as one of the WNBA’s brightest rising stars. After riding the bench for a couple of seasons, Carrington finally earned a starting role in 2024—and man, did she take that chance and run with it! She didn’t just improve; she took home the Most Improved Player award while also landing on the WNBA All-Defensive First Team, casually shutting down opponents like it was nothing.
In 39 games, Carrington averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals, proving that she’s just as comfortable locking down the perimeter as she is putting points on the board. Oh, and did we mention her playoff performance? Just a casual 13.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. The Sun might’ve come up short this postseason, but with Carrington around, the future is looking as bright as that giant billboard.
Unrivaled League: Another Feather in Carrington’s Cap
As if the billboard and breakout season weren’t enough, Carrington also landed herself a spot in the new Unrivaled League, joining fellow WNBA icons in what promises to be a star-studded event. On September 4, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart’s brainchild league announced Carrington as the 19th of the league’s 36-player pool, solidifying her spot among the elite.
The Unrivaled League, which will debut in January 2024, is like the basketball version of an Avengers crossover. With names like Angel Reese, Kelsey Plum, and—of course—Stewart and Collier, it’s bound to be action-packed. Oh, and did we mention the format? It’s 3×3, which means fast-paced, no-nonsense ball where you either step up or get left behind. Carrington? She’s definitely stepping up.
The league has six teams with names as flashy as their lineups: Laces BC, Lunar Owls BC, Mist BC, Phantom BC, Rose BC, and Vinyl BC. (Yes, Vinyl BC. Don’t ask us, we’re still figuring out what that means too.) Either way, fans are in for a treat, especially with TNT signing on as the broadcast partner. We’re already counting down the days.
What’s Next?
With 2024 in the books, Carrington is clearly gearing up for a monstrous 2025. If her Instagram post is any clue, she’s got big plans—and big moves—to make. For the Connecticut Sun and their fans, that means one thing: keep your expectations high and your seatbelts fastened. Carrington’s just getting started, and next season? It’s gonna be a ride.