“Keesusk.” A very interesting word for an extremely passionate team. The Connecticut Sun has been a defensive force in the WNBA for some time now. This year, they have damaged almost every team to reach the second playoff spot. While Stephanie White’s squad, run by the Olympian Alyssa Thomas and the 6x All-Star DeWanna Bonner, has been a team to watch, their fashion is not behind either. But their Rebel jersey might get confusing for the incoming followers.

With new fans entering the league, and also for the ones who do not yet know what “Keesusk” exactly means, let us dive into the details of the navy-blue threads that adorn the chest plate in this not-so-typical team’s name.

The Mohegan Tribe owns the Connecticut Sun franchise in the league. Hence, to give a nod to their culture, the Native Americans have the word “Keesusk” written over the team’s chests. The word itself translates to “Sun” in the Mohegan language. So, even though the Uncasville-located franchise did not go with the usual “Connecticut” or “Sun” for their Rebel jerseys, they did in a way mean the same thing. Their alternative jerseys, however, do have the typical WNBA names of the group.

The first time that the team wore “Keesusk” across their chests was back in 2021.

Another way that the franchise gives an ode to its culture in the jersey is through its collar graphic. In each of their uniforms, the neckline has purple and white borders that match the traditional Wampum of the Mohegans. Similarly, their waistband also embellishes the kits with the purple and white colorway.

Additionally, The side panels and the shoulders of the jerseys have the “Trail of Life” pattern. According to the Mohegan Tribe, it represents their belief, “We walk as a single spirit on the Trail of Life. We are guided by thirteen generations past and responsible for thirteen generations to come.”

But this is not all.

Connecticut Sun’s passion for the Mohegan Tribe

One of the best defensive teams in the WNBA this year– the Connecticut Sun — plays in the Mohegan Sun Arena. The same is, in part, related to a casino that the Mohegan Tribe owns. They also host Indigenous People’s Night routinely welcoming their tribe in the home. The last time it was hosted was when the team played against the Dallas Wings in August 2023.

Of course, the Rebel uniforms were a gift from Nike, the sports athleisure brand, who gave birth to a special idea. According to Nike’s release back in 2021, it was to bring “Cities and communities to life through the muse of female archetypes in storytelling and film.” This partnership was a means for the WNBA’s sporting partner to represent various stories behind the franchises.

For Connecticut, it happened to be their solid connection to the Native American tribe. Not to mention, it is simply heartwarming how one of the loudest teams in the WNBA has such bonds to the originators of the franchise. Apart from their uniforms, the fans can always count on them rocking the tunnel walks as well.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.