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Uncasville, CT (December 13, 2023) – Connecticut Sun guard and 11-year league veteran Tiffany Hayes has announced her retirement from the WNBA. In her first official statement on the Counted Me Out Podcast Tuesday, Hayes remarked, “[as far as the WNBA] this right here with the Connecticut Sun was my last season.” Hayes spent her first ten seasons in the WNBA with the Atlanta Dream, before joining the Sun for her final season.
The 5-10 guard was selected 14th overall by the Dream in the 2012 WNBA Draft out of the University of Connecticut. The Sun acquired her rights in a trade with the Dream on February 9, 2023 which sent Connecticut’s No. 6 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft to Atlanta. Hayes then officially signed a one-year deal with the Sun on February 15, 2023. In her final season, Hayes started in all 40 regular season contests for Connecticut, averaging 12.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assist per game. With Connecticut, she eclipsed 4,000 career points on June 27 against the New York Liberty and grabbed her 1,000th career rebound on July 30 against the Minnesota Lynx. Hayes finished in double-figures scoring in 28 of 40 regular season contests in 2023, including 14 straight from August 1 through September 8. She also tied her postseason career-high with 30 points in Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals against New York on September 26.
“It is bittersweet to hear about Tiffany’s retirement from the WNBA. It has been a pleasure to have known and watched her play since her high school days—an underrated player with a big heart on and off the court. I would like to congratulate her on a wonderful career and thank her for being a part of the Connecticut Sun organization. She will always be welcomed back to Connecticut,” remarked Connecticut Sun General Manager, Darius Taylor.
Over the course of her seasoned career in the league, Hayes picked up All-WNBA First Team (2018), WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2012) and WNBA All-Star (2017) honors. She is also one of just 10 players in WNBA history with 4,000+ points, 1,000+ rebounds, 750+ assists, 1,000+ free throws made and 350+ three-point field goals made.
“We are so grateful for the season we had with Tip. She is the ultimate competitor and professional. She plays with passion, toughness, competes on both ends and leaves it all on the floor. I said it all season long,” stated Connecticut Sun Head Coach, Stephanie White. “She’s one of the few players in the history of league that can get downhill and beat people with that quick first step. She is elite in every sense of the word. We wish Tip the best and congratulate her on an outstanding career.”
Prior to her WNBA career, Hayes enjoyed a successful collegiate campaign with the University of Connecticut from 2008-12. The Florida native left UConn a two-time NCAA National Champion (2009, 2010) behind back-to-back undefeated seasons. She also picked up All-Big EAST First Team (2011) and BIG EAST All-Freshman Team (2009) honors during her time in Connecticut.
Hayes is currently playing overseas in China for the Shanghai Swordfish in the WBCA. She is averaging 24.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.0 steals per game.