Kennedy Burke embracing Sun leadership role with ‘emotional’ Barclays Center return on tap

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Jonquel Jones wrapped her arms around Kennedy Burke on Sunday afternoon and pulled her in tightly.

The two swayed back and forth ahead of their preseason finale.

“I’m so happy for you,” Jones said, her eyes closed with a smile.

After a lengthy embrace, the two walked down the sideline together before Burke stopped to join her new Sun teammates on one end of the court, while Jones continued to the other side to join the Liberty for warmups.

Burke is still adjusting to the slower-paced life of small-town Connecticut.

It’s a drastic shift from the hustle and bustle of New York.

But Burke, a self-described “easy person,” is enjoying the transition.

After spending the past two seasons in New York, Burke signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Sun.

She joins Brittney Griner as a veteran leader for a young, rebuilding team in its final season in Connecticut before the franchise moves to Houston.

The chance of playing with Griner, whom Burke is a “huge fan” of, was enticing for the 29-year-old guard-forward.

But Sun coach Rachid Meziane also played a part in recruiting Burke to Connecticut.

Burke played for Meziane for two seasons in France.

He sold her on the team’s vision.

“They have players that want to compete, who want to have fun, [are] young, spirited,” Burke told The Post.

Burke was a reliable role player for the Liberty and is coming off a career-best season, during which she averaged 8.1 points while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from deep.

She’s slated to assume a much larger role with the Sun, who have eight players under the age of 26.

“I’m excited about that,” Burke said. “Knowing that I have to step up my vocal leading skills, but I think what helps is being around another vet, like BG, who does it consistently on a daily basis, when we have practices and even in games, so I feel like she’s a great example of that.”

Still, playing her former team, with whom she won a championship in 2024, in an exhibition game was a bittersweet experience.

“When I caught up with some people over here, I almost went inside the locker room. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m not playing with you guys,’” Burke said. “But no, it’s always just great seeing familiar faces, the people that I loved when I was playing in New York and I already said, no matter what it’s all over and at the end of the day, it’s a business, it happens. But I mean, it’s always great seeing them.”

She’ll see them again very soon, with the Sun scheduled to open their season Friday at Barclays Center.

“I’m excited about that,” Burke said. “I hope I don’t cry and get emotional. I know I will because I’m just an overall emotional person but to be back in Brooklyn, it’s an amazing feeling no matter what – if you’re playing with Brooklyn or you’re against them, but the vibes are always great.”

Roster cuts coming

The Liberty are expected to be without Leonie Fiebich and Raquel Carrera until they finish their season with Valencia Basket.

But in the meantime, New York needs to trim its roster to 12 players.

While the roster feels all but set, Sunday was the last opportunity for some to make a case for the final developmental spot.

“I think we’re close,” coach Chris DeMarco said of the current roster. “There’s a few things we have to talk about after the game.”