With a game at Chicago remaining to be played, former UConn stars Tina Charles and Asjha Jones are not in full Olympic mode just yet but that didn't stop them from reveling in a ceremony at Mohegan Sun Arena after Wednesday night's game.

A cake was made commemorating Charles and Jones soon leaving to play for the U.S. in the Olympics, their Connecticut Sun teammates waved (and some wore) hand-held American flags while Charles and Jones addressed the crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena.



Charles and Jones have tried to maintain their focus on the task at hand - namely leading the Sun to be best possible record before the WNBA takes a month-long break for the Olympics but Wednesday night's ceremony was special to the two of them.

"It was really cool," Charles said. "The thing that had gotten me is when they started playing the Olympic (anthem), that had really gotten to me that we are almost there."

As for Jones, a seemingly routine task served as a reminder that the Olympics are just around the corner.
"I had to pack last night so it was kind of like I was getting an itch," Jones said.
"It is awesome. I am just trying to stay in the moment and take it all in. It was great. We think we have the best fans in the league. It was nice for them to be a part of it because we are not going to be here for our last game (before the break) so it is nice to be able to share that with them."

Before the game Charles received a trophy for being named the WNBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June.

As for the game, it was anything but an artistic masterpiece but the Sun won to extend its winning streak to a season high four games.


TAURASI WINS ESPY AWARD
Former UConn star Diana Taurasi won the ESPY for Best WNBA Player at Wednesday's event in Los Angeles. Charles was among the other candidates for the award.

Taurasi averaged 21.6 points during the 2011 season, the fourth straight season and fifth time overall that she averaged more than 20 points per game.