(Photo credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images)

The Connecticut Sun are holding on to Marina Mabrey, even after the guard requested to be traded earlier this month.

Connecticut shot down that request, prompting Mabrey's agent, Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM agency, to heavily criticize the Sun and their decision to not go out and make a trade.

'In this current age of women's empowerment and support of the players, the CT Sun threatening to force Marina Mabrey to play for them after her trade request is mind-boggling,' Crenshaw said in a statement issued to ESPN on Tuesday. 'Why would anyone try to force someone to play on their team when they don't want to be there?

'It's counterproductive in a ton of ways and everyone we have spoken to is perplexed about how they are handling Marina. ... The coach parted ways. No free agents returned and they are doing all they can to try and force Marina to stay when she clearly doesn't want to be there. It's interesting.'

Team president Jennifer Rizzotti insists that Connecticut is looking to build around Mabrey, and she also doesn't feel comfortable trading a player who cost so much to get. The Sun sent Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, their 2025 first-round draft pick and a 2026 pick swap to the Chicago Sky last season to bring in Mabrey.

Mabrey had requested a trade while in Chicago, leading to the deal with Connecticut.

'The reasons that we have for not trading Marina are rooted in positivity,' Rizzotti told ESPN. 'It's rooted in a desire to build around her, have her here, have her be the catalyst for what we want to do offensively, taking advantage of her versatility.'

The Sun have been dismantled this offseason, losing Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner, among others.

Mabrey, 28, played in a total of 40 games (27 starts) last season during her time with the Sky and the Sun. She averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

Connecticut is coming off a 28-12 season. The Sun reached the WNBA semifinals, where they lost to the Minnesota Lynx in five games.

--Field Level Media