Basketball is a joyous sport. That’s true because of the people who make up the broad landscape that encompasses the game. Different players can elicit that joy from their teammates, coaches and fans through different aspects of the game where they shine.
DiJonai Carrington’s defense makes stadiums roar, fans cackle and opponents question their bane of existence.
She analyzes, anticipates and then jumps, which often leads to forced turnovers followed by quick offense. Carrington, the WNBA’s freshly crowned Most Improved Player, averaged 2.0 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game throughout the regular season, which helped the Connecticut Sun hold their opponents to the least amount of points per game (PPG) across the league according to Her Hoop Stats.
Once No. 21 makes a defensive play, a familiar sight follows. Carrington and her teammates simulate pulling down and clicking in a seat belt because, well, it’s seat belt season.
DiJonai Carrington with the deflection for the win!
SO tough. pic.twitter.com/Hl8LVs80Eg
— Blake (@blakesilverman) August 24, 2024
SEAT BELT SEASON REMAINS #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/r3Vks7hqJI
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 22, 2024
The seat-belt celebration has become akin to Carrington’s season-long defensive tear. The Sun even created a seat belt season-themed Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player campaign for her, with a BMW convertible laced photoshoot to boot.
The celebration initially gained steam in football, where defensive backs would throw on their seat belt after they broke up a pass or locked down a wide receiver. Carrington often looks like a defensive back out on the hardwood, scheming to disrupt the offense. Her dad, Darren, was a defensive back himself. He played eight seasons in the NFL as a safety, grabbing 22 interceptions over his career.
Carrington’s brother, Darren Carrington II, played college football as a wideout for Oregon and Utah. He now plays in the Indoor Football League with the Massachusetts Pirates. Carrington certainly has football in her DNA.
What’s interesting, though, is decisions and first steps often are made much quicker on the basketball court. On the gridiron, a cornerback can reset after every play, align with their defensive assignment and try to guess the quarterback’s next move. If a basketball hits the rim and doesn’t bounce your way, you better get back on defense because your opponent is ready to run.
For Carrington, defensive instincts look second nature. She’s often the one who makes the other team pay with a quick bucket after a steal or swat. Even if she’s not at the center of a defensive play made, she sprints to the opposite side of the court to give her teammates an outlet that’s charging toward the rim. Just like a wide-open receiver racing to the end zone as their quarterback throws the ball up.
Alyssa Thomas, who averaged 2.1 stocks and 7.9 assists per game (APG) this year, threw plenty of perfect passes to Carrington on the outlet, looking like a prime Joe Montana to Jerry Rice connection.
Back-to-back cross court dimes from Alyssa Thomas to DiJonai Carrington for the finish.
Two in a row! pic.twitter.com/DMWpq1arts
— Blake (@blakesilverman) September 1, 2024
Carrington is at the top of her game, and perhaps the sport, as a defender. She’s a premiere perimeter defender in the WNBA. On the ball, she gives fits to anyone she guards. And I mean anyone. When defending off the ball, she seems to know what’s going to happen next. Even if she’s on the weak side, completely away from the immediate action.
Now how did DiJonai Carrington get this ball exactly pic.twitter.com/SM2f5axyPN
— Blake (@blakesilverman) August 21, 2024
DiJonai Carrington gets the steal off the help and then gets to the rim for the bucket on the other end. She’s on such a tear pic.twitter.com/08uJlkUptl
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— Blake (@blakesilverman) September 1, 2024
Across the board, Carrington’s game has taken a considerable step forward this year. She started in every game she played after coming off the bench throughout her first three seasons in the WNBA. The increased role brought increased production. Compared to last season, she scored 231 more points, grabbed 104 more rebounds, blocked 14 more shots and recorded 41 more steals.
In a season with plenty of turnover for Connecticut, notably the departures of Rebecca Allen, Tiffany Hayes and Natisha Hiedeman, Carrington made a giant leap that the Sun needed. The WNBA recognized Carrington’s step forward Wednesday when she was named the league’s Most Improved Player.
After earning the No. 3 seed and a first-round matchup with the Indiana Fever and high-powered rookie Caitlin Clark, Connecticut came out with a 93-69 win in Game 1 at home. It was the first time any team held Indiana under 70 points this season. The Sun held the Fever to just 21% from three in Game 1, compared to Indiana’s 35.6% clip from deep over the regular season. Top-tier perimeter defense helped the Sun keep the Fever offense at bay.
Carrington tied her postseason career-high with 14 points to cap off a strong playoff opener for the Sun. She recorded an emphatic block on a driving Temi Fagbenle in transition just to let everyone know seat-belt season was still in effect, in case they forgot.
As long as Carrington and the Sun remain in the playoffs, buckle up.
DiJonai Carrington with the huge block 😲
What a play and celebration to match ✨#WNBA pic.twitter.com/TxONETa0qg
— WNBA Universe (@wnbauniverse) September 22, 2024
Stats as of 9/24. Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of WNBA.com.
