With about a month left in this WNBA season, the Connecticut sun’s relocation to Houston grows closer. But the team remains focused on the present. On Tuesday night, the Sun played their final game at Boston’s TD Garden, concluding their third appearance in Boston. As Connecticut came away with an 85-77 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, the Sun closed out their time in Boston giving players an opportunity to reflect on what they’ve built in New England before the team's relocation.

At the end of the 2026 WNBA season, a new beginning will start for the Sun in Houston. Transition periods are often inevitable in sports and in life. Whether it's changing teams, graduating, or recovering from an injury, athletes will face periods where change will occur. But while change can be difficult, it is also an opportunity for growth and experiencing something new.

Transitions Aren't Always Easy

Throughout her athletic career, VIS Mentor and Connecticut Sun Guard Saniya Rivers made several transitions. In college she made the move from the University of South Carolina to North Carolina State University after her freshman year, before eventually being drafted into the WNBA. Now, Rivers is preparing for another transition as the Sun prepares to relocate at the end of the season. 

Rivers said that she believes that the “relocation to Houston will be great for women’s basketball,” and she is excited for how the move will impact the growth of the league. As the Sun prepares for their transition to Houston, Rivers believes that the best way to handle change is to stay in the moment. With another transition on the horizon, she knows that you can’t always prepare for life's challenges. Instead of preparing for transitions, she focuses on what she can control like staying present and making the most of where she is now.

“Sometimes you can’t prepare for the transitions and sometimes it just won’t help, so mentally just be where your feet are, stay in the moment [and] enjoy it while it's here,” Rivers said.

With the season nearing its end and the Sun set to relocate, the team remains focused on playing their best and finishing the season strong. Even though Connecticut has been eliminated from the playoffs, Rivers said that the Sun still wants to compete and finish the season proud of themselves and of the legacy the team has built in Connecticut. 

“We owe that to ourselves, the fans, and the state of Connecticut,” Rivers said. 

“Sometimes you can’t prepare for the transitions and sometimes it just won’t help, so mentally just be where your feet are, stay in the moment [and] enjoy it while it's here.”

VIS Mentor Saniya Rivers

Navigating Change

Although change can be hard, Rivers has three tips for navigating a transition to a new environment.

• Adapt as best as you can.

Change can bring up feelings of uncertainty and fear especially when you feel like you're not in control. Rivers’ first piece of advice is to adapt. Instead of worrying about the things that aren't in your control, focusing on being present, “staying where your feet are,” and on what you can control can help to ease transitions.

• Find new hobbies.

Rivers’ second piece of advice is to find new hobbies and friends when transitioning into a new environment. New hobbies and friends can help to establish a community and create new routines.

• Discover new food spots.

As a self-proclaimed foodie, Rivers says that finding new food spots when visiting a new area helps her to adapt to new environments. Exploring different restaurants and food can be a good way to become familiar and more comfortable with a new environment.

Looking Forward

While the Sun’s transition to Houston will bring a lot of changes, Rivers’ approach to transition is less about planning ahead and knowing exactly what comes next and more about being present and embracing the moment. Transitions are not always easy or expected, but adapting, finding new things to enjoy, and appreciating the present can make it easier to navigate and embrace what comes next.