{"id":718916,"date":"2026-06-22T09:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T09:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/718916\/"},"modified":"2026-06-22T09:30:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T09:30:13","slug":"kennedy-burke-is-learning-a-new-role-with-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/718916\/","title":{"rendered":"Kennedy Burke is learning a new role with the Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Kennedy Burke<\/a> arrived in Connecticut\u00a0this season, her biggest adjustment\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0trading New York City for Uncasville. It\u00a0was\u00a0stepping into a role that\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0never been in before\u00a0where\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0learning to find her voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After spending the last few seasons\u00a0as a role player\u00a0with\u00a0a star-filled\u00a0New York Liberty\u00a0team,\u00a0Burke is now being asked to be a leader on the league\u2019s second youngest team \u2013\u2013\u00a0which has required her to be more vocal and assertive on and off the court.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m with a younger team that\u2019s very gritty, and we\u2019re just hungry to fight and\u00a0get a win, no matter what it may look like, but we\u2019re continuing to grow. It\u2019s\u00a0gonna\u00a0take some time, but I believe that we\u2019re\u00a0gonna\u00a0be just fine,\u201d Burke\u00a0told\u00a0The\u00a0IX Sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Adjusting to a new leadership role<\/p>\n

The Sun brought Burke to Connecticut with\u00a0high expectations. With the\u00a0Liberty,\u00a0she supported and played\u00a0behind their \u2018Big Three\u2019 of\u00a0forward Breanna Stewart<\/a>,\u00a0center Jonquel\u00a0Jones\u00a0and guard Sabrina Ionescu<\/a>.\u00a0She averaged 12.1 <\/a>minutes in her first season with the Liberty and now\u00a0across 16 games\u00a0with the Sun she is\u00a0averaging\u00a023.6<\/a> minutes per game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her job was\u00a0often\u00a0to\u00a0assist\u00a0her teammates in getting open looks and high percentage shots, but now\u00a0as one of the veteran leaders on a team with\u00a010 players under the age of 25,\u00a0she is learning to embrace her role and grow as a vocal leader.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s something head coach Rachid Meziane is looking for from Burke.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cShe seemed too shy,\u201d Meziane told The IX Sports\u00a0when asked if Burke had been vocal in the locker room. \u201cI would like her to talk more, and to help our young players more\u2026 \u00a0but I can also understand that she\u2019s also looking to find herself with this\u00a0new role,\u00a0so I don\u2019t like to take the risk to ask her to do\u00a0a lot for her teammates when she\u2019s still looking to\u00a0find herself and find a role on the team. We\u00a0have to\u00a0be patient, but\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0sure that she will become the player she wants and the player we want.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Burke admitted that\u00a0using her voice more\u00a0has not been easy since\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0used\u00a0to\u00a0fulfilling a different\u00a0leadership style.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0new to me, it\u2019s a challenge, but it pushed me to use my voice more often on the court,\u201d Burke said. \u201cUsually, when it comes to me, I like to lead by example in\u00a0different ways, instead of talking, so I know I\u00a0have to\u00a0step out of my comfort zone and talk more. I feel like each game\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0getting\u00a0better and better\u00a0with just\u00a0using my voice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Listen now to The IX Sports Podcast and Women\u2019s Sports Daily
We are excited to announce the launch of TWO new podcasts for all the women\u2019s sports fans out there looking for a daily dose of women\u2019s sports news and analysis. Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to podcasts, and make sure to subscribe!<\/p>\n

Playing for Rachid Meziane<\/p>\n

In the past, Burke played for Meziane in France where they spent two seasons (2022-2024) together with the French basketball club Villeneuve-d\u2019Ascq. She helped lead the team to a\u00a0Euroleague\u00a0championship and finish as the\u00a0runner-ups\u00a0for the 2023-24 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also won back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in the French Ligue\u00a0F\u00e9minine\u00a0de Basketball (LFB) under Meziane.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The success that\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0had overseas has played\u00a0a large role\u00a0in Burke joining the Sun on a one-year, $1 million contract. But their success\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0the only reason she wanted to play for Meziane.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though it\u2019s been\u00a0kind of\u00a0a\u00a0bumpy start for us, he knows when to keep it light, but at the same time knowing when\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0time to focus and be serious,\u201d Burke said. \u201cBut I really enjoy playing\u00a0for\u00a0him.\u00a0He\u2019s\u00a0a great person, not only a great coach.\u00a0So\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0just excited to be back with him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meziane helped recruit Burke to come to Connecticut where he sold her on the team\u2019s\u00a0vision and culture. It didn\u2019t take long for her to buy into his plan having already established trust with him overseas.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m thinking about the past,\u00a0she was one of the best players in the French league, one of the best players\u00a0in Europe,\u201d Meziane said. \u201cShe was doing everything, shooting the ball,\u00a0posting\u2026\u00a0She was one of the best stealers in our league.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RachidConnecticut Sun guard Kennedy Burke (25) and head coach Rachid Meziane during a WNBA game against the Las Vegas Aces at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville Conn., on May 15, 2026. (Photo credit: Chris Poss | The IX Basketball) <\/p>\n

Burke\u2019s improvement<\/p>\n

With it still being so early in the season, Burke has already made strides\u00a0of\u00a0improvement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meziane said that at the start of the season she would stop\u00a0attempting\u00a0to shoot the ball again if she missed a shot, but now, Burke is\u00a0being less hesitant to shoot again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0missing a shot,\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0trying to continue to be aggressive, to continue to shoot the ball. For\u00a0me\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a big step,\u00a0for her\u00a0and also\u00a0for us,\u201d Meziane\u00a0said. <\/p>\n

Meziane wants Burke to be herself but is also giving her grace knowing that the adjustment has not been easy for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want her to be a little bit\u00a0more herself\u00a0with us here. I know the transition is\u00a0probably a\u00a0little bit\u00a0too big for her, like playing with superstars like [Breanna] Stewart, JJ [Jonquel Jones<\/a>], Sabrina [Ionescu], and being here now, and trying\u00a0to play a big role is just probably too fast for her. So, I just want\u00a0to give her time to adjust to this new role, and I can see that,\u00a0day after day, and game after game,\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0progressing,\u201d Meziane said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Friday\u00a0morning before Connecticut\u2019s game against the Toronto Tempo, Meziane\u00a0detailed how he\u00a0wanted Burke to trust herself more and embrace a larger role within the offense. That night she delivered\u00a0one of her best performances of the season and displayed many of the qualities that Meziane believes are key to unlocking another level of her game.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well first, I think she made the right plays,\u00a0she shot the ball, she was a little more aggressive,\u00a0she crashed\u00a0the board, she\u00a0[got]\u00a0downhill, she posted up\u00a0like I said,\u201d Meziane said postgame.\u00a0\u201cShe\u2019s\u00a0for me,\u00a0a\u00a0three-level\u00a0scorer\u00a0and I think that tonight,\u00a0she showed that.\u00a0I hope that you know this kind of production could help her to build some confidence. Offensively,\u00a0she found\u00a0her\u00a0role\u00a0and\u00a0we\u00a0need\u00a0it, because we have a lot of young players\u00a0on\u00a0this team,\u00a0[and]\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0not one of them.\u00a0So\u00a0she\u00a0has\u00a0to\u00a0bring us this type of\u00a0performance\u00a0every single night.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite their heartbreaking 101-97 loss to the Tempo, Burke scored a season-high 18 points to go along with three rebounds and two steals. Her performance helped\u00a0the Sun lead by double-figures\u00a0heading into halftime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Kennedy<\/a>Connecticut Sun guard Kennedy Burke (25) sitting between rookie guard Nell Angloma (33) and forward Aneesah Morrow (24) during a WNBA game against the Indiana Fever at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville Conn., on June 13, 2026. (Photo credit: Chris Poss | The IX Basketball) <\/p>\n

UCLA connection\u00a0<\/p>\n

The UCLA women\u2019s basketball program under head coach Cori Close has historically found success in preparing players for the next level. On the Sun, that includes both Burke, who was drafted in the second round of the 2019 WNBA draft and Sun rookies Charlisse Leger-Walker<\/a>, who was a part of the record breaking six-draftees in this\u00a0year\u2019s\u00a02026 draft alongside Gianna Kneepkens<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve\u00a0spoken to KB [Kennedy Burke] a little bit about it, and we\u00a0kind of relate\u00a0on\u00a0that, and just what that was like for us. But\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0definitely a\u00a0program where they emphasize that a lot, and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0going to help you not just in basketball but in your everyday life,\u201d Leger-Walker said. <\/p>\n

Burke has also had an impact on helping her adjust to the league during her rookie season and has even been giving her \u201clittle pep talks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just think the chats that we\u2019ve had, especially about the mindset of being a pro, it\u2019s completely different [compared] to college, and I think she\u2019s been such a great resource and friend for me to go to, to really ask about that stuff,\u201d Leger-Walker said. <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026And obviously she has a lot of experience at this level, and so just leaning on her for that advice, and\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0someone\u2026that I trust. Even with our\u00a0ups and downs\u00a0of having to quickly get back from\u00a0games or\u00a0leaving a loss and focusing on the next thing\u2026\u00a0She\u2019s\u00a0been amazing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Adjusting to a new city<\/p>\n

New York City and\u00a0Uncasville\u00a0are complete opposites when it comes to lifestyle and environment with one being urban\u00a0and the other being\u00a0rural. But\u00a0Burke\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0seem to mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI like that Connecticut is very\u00a0chill, and I\u2019m able to\u00a0be more by myself and really focus on my mental\u00a0health and\u00a0just\u00a0being able to\u00a0get the rest that I need, but at the same time,\u00a0work\u00a0on my game, whenever I can,\u201d Burke\u00a0said.<\/p>\n

Burke also told The IX Sports that she enjoys lobster rolls and\u00a0that she\u00a0will have to check\u00a0out some places that were recommended\u00a0to her.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0very introverted, so I really\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0had the time to really explore Connecticut yet, but\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0a big fan\u00a0of seafood, and I know Connecticut is known for seafood.\u00a0Eventually when my parents come next week,\u00a0we\u2019ll be able to explore the city\u00a0more, because\u00a0we\u2019ll\u00a0have that long\u00a0stretch of\u00a0games at\u00a0home. So,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0looking forward to that,\u201d\u00a0Burke said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Sun\u00a0are\u00a0roughly only\u00a0a third into the season, so\u00a0Burke\u00a0has plenty of time to continue to\u00a0learn\u00a0her new role and grow as a player despite the team\u2019s rough 2-15\u00a0start.\u00a0Connecticut will\u00a0continue to return to the drawing board as they hope to be able to turn their season around, something that will depend partially on how Burke performs and leads.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFor\u00a0me, she has everything to be\u00a0a very good\u00a0player in this league and not only someone who can play around\u00a0stars. She could\u00a0be a\u00a0star in this league,\u201d Meziane said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When Kennedy Burke arrived in Connecticut\u00a0this season, her biggest adjustment\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0trading New York City for Uncasville. It\u00a0was\u00a0stepping into a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":718917,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[240259,4384,85478,27044,99,434],"class_list":["post-718916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-charlisse-leger-walker","tag-connecticut-sun","tag-kennedy-burke","tag-rachid-meziane","tag-sports","tag-wnba"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=718916"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/718916\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/718917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=718916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=718916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=718916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}