MOHEGAN — On the eve of Connecticut Sun training camp opening, the tough decision was made.

Chiney Ogwumike, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the offseason, will be suspended for the season to free up a roster spot.

The Sun didn’t do so without a caveat, offering the 2014 WNBA Rookie of the Year and last year’s Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, a multi-year contract extension. Terms of the deal were not released.

“We are thrilled to have signed Chiney to a multi-year contract extension,” Sun coach and general manager Curt Miller said in a press release Saturday. “She believes in our vision and will continue to be an important piece of our bright future. We will certainly miss her during the 2017 season but know she will be working hard to return stronger than ever."

Ogwumike injured her Achilles tendon while playing in China and underwent surgery in December. The Sun knew at the time that it would likely mean another missed season for the former No. 1 draft pick.

“It’s never easy choosing to sit out a season, but I knew this would give my team the best chance to be successful not only this year but also for years to come,” Ogwumike said. “I am really excited about our strong young core, and my contract extension ensures that upon my return to the court in 2018, we will continue to build together."

It’s the second season that Ogwumike will miss because of injury in the last three years.

She was absent for the 2015 season because of microfracture surgery, but the Sun, under former general manager Chris Sienko, elected to keep Ogwumike on the active list. That enabled her to stay with the team and serve in more of a public relations fashion in the community, but it also cost the Sun a roster spot.

Miller declined to follow that same strategy this season and opted to keep the roster at the full complement of 12 active players.

Ogwumike averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds last season and was being counted on by Miller to be part of a dynamic frontcourt tandem with second-year player Jonquel Jones.

Instead, Miller traded for veteran forward Lynetta Kizer and chose Brionna Jones from Maryland with the No. 8 pick of the draft to fill Ogwumike’s role.