Uncasville, CT (May 15, 2024) – The Connecticut Sun exercised the fourth-year rookie scale option for center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the team announced today. Per team policy, no details were released.
“Liv has continued to show growth and the ability to provide depth for our front court,” remarked Sun General Manager Darius Taylor. “We are excited to exercise her fourth-year option and witness her progress in this league.”
Nelson-Ododa logged 15 minutes in the Sun’s opener on Tuesday night against Indiana, tallying two points, four rebounds and one assist in Connecticut’s 92-71 win.
She was originally drafted 19th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. She was acquired by the Sun in a trade with the Sparks in January 2023. The 6-5 center appeared in 39 regular season contests for Connecticut in 2023, averaging 4.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 15.0 minutes per game. She recorded a career-high 20 points and career-high 11 rebounds against Chicago on September 10. Nelson-Ododa made her WNBA postseason debut during the 2023 WNBA playoffs and made her first start for the Sun in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against New York, tallying 14 points, three rebounds and two blocks.
The Georgia native spent the offseason playing for Guangdong Vermilion Birds in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA). Over 30 contests, she averaged 18.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Nelson-Ododa and the Sun are back in action on Friday, May 17 hosting the Washington Mystics at 7:30 PM ET at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Established in 2003, the Connecticut Sun is a professional women’s basketball team in the Women’s National Basketball Association that takes residence at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. For additional information or to purchase season tickets, visit www.connecticutsun.com.
