Around the Sun

LA Native Rayah Marshall Is Interviewing at the Connecticut Sun 

By Anthony Price 

Rayah Marshall, center, Connecticut Sun training camp. Photo: Stephen Joyner Jr.

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​Rayah Marshall’s life is split between Los Angeles, her hometown, and Connecticut, where she’s undergoing a high-stakes job interview with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. 
 
The last time she was in Connecticut, she had a good time—more on that later. 
 
“Hello, everyone! “ Marshall, a 6-foot-4 senior from the University of Southern California (USC), greets reporters. 

​Her smile reveals braces, but she carries herself like a Hollywood star—perhaps her selection as 25th in the 2025 WNBA draft and her resume have something to do with that. 
 
Marshall addresses the reporters on her third day of training camp in the backstage halls of Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut—where electrical conduit, sheet metal, and plumbing loom overhead. 
 
Tuesday’s practice ended with fans watching the last 30 minutes, scoring autographs and photos. Thousands showed up—surprising Marshall.
 
She wipes sweat from her forehead with her T-shirt and waves her famous right hand—the same one that swatted 306 shots over her college career, which earned her a spot on the 2025 Big Ten All-Defensive Team. 

It was a successful trip. I love Connecticut, what can I say?

Rayah Marshall talks to the media at Mohegan Sun Arena Photo: Stephen Joyner Jr.

Her History at USC 
 
USC women’s basketball peaked in the 1980s with NCAA titles in 1983 and 1984. But by the 2000s, the program had slipped from national prominence. 
 
That changed with Marshall and her teammates, who helped engineer USC’s return to the spotlight.  Their signature moment—a thrilling 72-70 upset of No. 4-ranked UConn at the XL Center in Hartford on December 21—was broadcast nationally. 
 
“It was a successful trip. I love Connecticut, what can I say?” Marshall says with a laugh.   
 
Her college career ended in a rematch with UConn on March 31 in the NCAA Elite Eight. Star teammate JuJu Watkins was sidelined with an injury. Still, Marshall delivered season highs: 23 points, 15 rebounds, 7 field goals, and 9 free throws in a 78–64 loss. UConn went on to capture its 12th national title, defeating the University of South Carolina—the other USC. 
 
Over three seasons as a starter, Marshall racked up 1,265 points, 1,161 rebounds, 306 blocks and 156 steals. USC went 93-36, earning three NCAA tournament appearances and two straight Elite Eight appearances, both losing to UConn. 

Marshall joins all-time greats Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie as the only USC players with over 300 career blocks. 

​New Home: Connecticut? 
 
Rookies bring fresh energy—and Marshall is no exception. She has a mellow swagger, like a palm tree in a breeze—cool, steady and unmistakably SoCal. 
 
Marshall grew up in South Central Los Angeles, just  8 minutes from USC. Now, three days into training camp, she’s adjusting to life in the WNBA while competing for one of just 12 coveted roster spots.
 
She’s learning on the fly with the ten other rookies invited to camp. The competition is fierce— three players have already been cut—and the first exhibition game is set for Sunday, May 4 against the Seattle Storm. 

Tina is such a great soul.

Rayah Marshall plays defense against Tina Charles. Photo: Stephen Joyner, Jr.

Fortunately, Marshall has a powerful mentor in 13-year veteran Tina Charles, a two-time NCAA champion at UConn and the second-leading scorer in W history. The only name ahead of her?  Diane Taurasi, widely considered the GOAT, who recently retired after a 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury. 
 
During the first practice on Sunday, Charles pulled Marshall aside to share a few post moves—hard-earned tricks from her years dominating the paint. When the lesson ended, Charles gave Marshall a quick pat on the head, a subtle nod of respect, and sent her off to tackle her next challenge. 
 
“Tina is such a great soul,” Marshall says, clearly moved by the moment. One key takeaway from her first days in training camp? “I need to weigh more than 185 by the time the end of camp comes,” she admits with a grin. “But I live for physicality,” letting the media know she’s not afraid to mix it up with seasoned vets in the paint.   
 
Time is tight for the Sun. The season-opener is just around the corner—May 18 at Mohegan Sun Arena—and there’s a lot of new: a first-time head coach, a revamped coaching staff, a new general manager, and five new starters set to take the floor when the first tip-off begins. 

New Life 
 
Everything is new for Marshall: her teammates, her coaches, the system, the routine, the climate and even the state.  
 
But the biggest adjustment? Being thousands of miles from home. Until now, Marshall’s only extended time away from Los Angeles was a three-month stint with Team USA  at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Leon, Mexico. She helped the team win the silver medal, losing in the championship game to Brazil, 69-58. 

I’m just enjoying it.

Rayah Marshall, center, Connecticut Sun training camp. Photo: Stephen Joyner, Jr.

Now looking comfortable on her new stage, Marshall smiles at the reporters. “One thing about Connecticut I will say is ‘I get a lot of love,’” she says. “It feels like a home away from home.” 
 
She’s taking it all in stride. “I’m just enjoying it,” she says. “Trying to soak it all in.” Her goal for training camp is simple: keep improving day by day. For any rookie, it’s the right place to start. 
 
Still a Student
 
If that wasn’t enough, Marshall is juggling more than basketball. “I feel like I have never had practices this hard. And then I go home after this, and I literally have two ten-page finals. Oh my GOD! I’m still a college student.” 
 
She’s majoring in American Pop Culture with a minor in Real Estate Development.  Her motivation is clear: to become the first in her immediate family to earn a college degree. USC’s graduation is on May 15.
 
With her future in Connecticut still unfolding, Marshall has her sights set on becoming a part of pop culture—not just studying it.  All she needs to do now is ace her job interview and make the team. 

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Anthony Price is an entrepreneur, author and publisher of CT Hoops Magazine. Around the Sun is a weekly column about the Connecticut Sun. ​​