Riley3034

be grateful. @TeamStewart

[Myles @MylesEhrlich]

Breanna Stewart on her scramble instincts: "It's just basically an effort thing, knowing that when you when you're almost down 20 going into the third, you have to make up a lot of ground and you have to make some shit happen. I feel like we were continuing to rotate and and find that second and third option, and that's how we got it back... to under 10. But to to do that for 20 minutes is is really tough." (Q: @LucasKaplan_)

[Myles @MylesEhrlich]

Becky Hammon on Breanna Stewart: "She's definitely worthy of being in the [MVP] conversation, let there be no doubt. I love Stewie's game. I go back to the separation factor. For me, the best players are A'ja, Stewie, and Phee. I know people get tired of saying those names, but those also all three of those players affect both ends of the floor greatly, and I think that's a very distinguishing factor. And they are winning. So I think those always go into play." (Q: @madkenney)

[Fiifi Frimpong @FiifiFrimpong]

Breanna Stewart on Betnijah's impact on Liberty: "She's been the the heart of this team well even before I got here, and I think that it's really sad to see her go, and I know a lot of people are having that similar sentiment. But also, ready for her to see where her next stop is. You know what I mean? Like to put a positive positive spin on it. Like it's not a goodbye. It's a see you later. She's just been someone who's uplifting, even when she's not been on the court while dealing with injury. She's a bright spot that we'll definitely miss. My message to her was, our relationship goes beyond the liberty... B and I have known each other since we were like teenagers with USA Basketball. 16U team, that type of thing. So I'll still be in her corner."

[Myles @MylesEhrlich]

After today's Liberty practice, we scrummed with Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, Chris DeMarco, and Breanna Stewart, with lots of questions about Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's recent release. I've picked a few here, with the Q&A in full:

Q (@Khristina): Two days ago, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was waived by the Liberty. Could you talk about your time playing with her?
Jonquel Jones: Obviously, B is not just a former teammate now, but also a friend and someone that I established and created a bond with and a friendship with, and someone that I will definitely have a relationship outside of basketball after I'm done playing. That'll still be my friend and my sister. So definitely sad to see her go, but also, whatever the the future has for her, I'm excited to see. And I know that she's going to be great in whatever it is.

Q (@ClassicJpow): How do you think the fans will remember her here? And do you think this situation when-- will it tarnish her legacy?
Jonquel Jones: I think the fans will remember her as a gritty player, someone that played with with a lot of heart, someone that gave her all every time she stepped on the court. I think she just embodied that toughness of what the city represents and that resiliency. So, no, I don't think that this is going to tarnish her legacy in any type of way. I know that she's loved, and she is one of the players, one of the marquee players that took a chance and came here early on. And so, I think a lot of the fans appreciate that as well, to kind of get the ball rolling.

Q (@Khristina): [After Betnijah,] you guys have just a few players from that 2024 team left right now on the roster. Can you just talk about that change and what she did for this organization]?
Sabrina Ionescu: Yeah, everyone who was a part of that team and teams before mean a lot to to the city, to the culture of what we have here. We knew there was going to be a shakeup, especially free agency with the year that this was with the new CBA, it's hard to try and continue to keep the same players here when contracts and whatnot are being dealt elsewhere, but yeah, I mean, we're happy for her. We're happy that she's going to get an opportunity to do what she loves and continue to play in this league and to be happy. That's ultimately what we want as teammates. We care about everyone as individuals, and so we're super blessed with the years that she played here. She played through a lot of injuries and things that happened behind the scenes that... Everyone doesn't get to see the day to day, and we're really thankful for the years that she had here.

Q (Pull Up): When you look back to [2021... Betnijah signed on as a free agent. How instrumental was she in building the culture that you've also been here for to what it is today, where it's a sold out arena every night?
Sabrina Ionescu: Yeah, that's something that Jonathan [Kolb] and I actually talked about a lot. I obviously didn't play that 2020 season, but he understood the pieces of the puzzle would start coming together with the number one draft pick in 2020. Me being able to show up and try and sell the dream, sell the vision of what we knew we could accomplish here if we got the right pieces, and try to play basketball the best way that we could and establish a culture here, especially in Brooklyn and at Barclays. Obviously, it meant a lot for her to be that first big free agent signing that we were able to get, and then you were able to see how the pieces continued to unfold with more and more players wanted to come play here because of who we are as people, how we come out and represent ourselves on the court, but [also] what it means to be a New York Liberty. And so her, but also everyone that has put on this uniform, we understand what a privilege it is to play here, and it's one of the amazing reasons why it's such an honor to step out on this floor.

Q (@AnnieCostabile): Probably more of a question for Kolb, but you're sitting here. When it comes to Betnjiah, did he communicate with you at all? Why she wasn't waived sooner? Why not before the deadline?
Chris DeMarco: Yeah, we communicated the whole time. First, I want to say Betnijah's a tremendous player, tremendous person, meant a lot to this organization. Still does, and I know it was really difficult trying to find the right trade partners for her. And so, in the end, we still wanted to give her that opportunity where she's able to contribute and have a larger role, and that's why we got to this point.

Q (Pull Up): What were the conversations like that you had with her towards the end of her tenure here?
Chris DeMarco: She's been great. Even when she wasn't in the rotation, just her leadership in the huddles, her leadership off the floor, and everything, really good. And I think for her, even at the start of the season, she had expressed, if there's other opportunities, that she wanted to look at those. And I think it came to the point where, just as a team, we all understood what this is and what we were trying to accomplish, and for her was just trying to find her the right place where she can succeed and feel good, and hopefully that happens. We have confidence that will happen.

Q (@FiifiFrimpong): When she expressed-- you mentioned looking for other opportunities. At what point did that happen?
Chris DeMarco: Throughout the season, some early on. But the biggest thing is just coming off a major injury, and that's always hard, taking the time off. I don't think it's talked about enough how hard it is for players and that year off and trying to rehab, same gym, same routine. A lot goes into it. It's hard mentally sometimes too, and I'm not going to speak for B, this is just my experience working with athletes that have come off of ACLs, achilles, other injuries. It's very taxing. It's just not the same. Putting in the work, it's not like you're going to individual drills. It's not like you're working with your teammates, all that stuff. So that's hard right away. So then her trying to work back. We started her at the beginning of the season, she played well. She took some time away from personal reasons. Got back, coming off the bench a little bit, and then she had the injection in the knee. So some games off, and then there's a third time, we played her in the rotation for a few games, and then she's out of rotation. So it's just a tough, tough year all around for her. But again, like I said, she's been tremendous, and we love Betnijah here, and it's just like one of those things, where I think she just felt like she wanted another opportunity, and we did our best to try to help.

Q (@Khristina): Only four players now from that 2024 championship team, with Betnijah being waived. Can you talk about her impact to Liberty and what that means for this group moving forward?
Breanna Stewart: I mean, B, she's been the the heart of this team well even before I got here, and it's really sad to see her go. I know a lot of people are having that similar sentiment, but also, ready for her to see where her next stop is. To put a positive spin on it, it's not a goodbye, it's a see you later. And she's just been someone who's uplifting even when she's not been on the court while dealing with injury. She's a bright spot that we'll definitely miss. But like my message to her was, our relationship goes beyond the Liberty. B and I have known each other since we were teenagers with USA Basketball, 16 and under team, that type of thing. So I'll always be in her corner.

Q (@ClassicJpow): How would you sum up her legacy for this franchise?
Breanna Stewart: I would just sum up her legacy as: B was so New York. The toughness, the grit, the determination. Like, people walking around New York with Timbs. Like that, you know what I mean? That's like not to say she's walking around with Timbs, but that toughness, that grit, that type of thing.

[SSN- New York Liberty @SSN_Liberty]

I’ll never forget this postgame presser after the Liberty won the title in 2024

You could just see the relief after accomplishing her goal after a rough season.

Will always respect B for everything she’s done for the New York Liberty franchise #WNBA #SEAFOAMSZN

[Chanae McKinnie @ChanaeMcKinnie]

From watching you play at Rutgers to winning a Championship, Betnijah Laney 👑🐝 1 of 1 #Forever44

[New York Liberty @nyliberty]

👑🐝🩷

[Geoff Magliocchetti @GeoffJMags]

Jonathan Kolb: “We want to thank Betnijah for everything she has given to this organization. She has been an instrumental part of our success since 2021 and has made a lasting impact on our team, both on and off the court. We're incredibly grateful for her professionalism, leadership, and the commitment she brought to the New York Liberty every day.” #WNBA

[Owen Pence @OwenPence]

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton will be a New York legend forever.

[Myles @MylesEhrlich]

One of my favorite Betnijah anecdotes centers her competitiveness. A few seasons back, at a practice, the team was working on half-court defense. Coach Sandy Brondello pointed all the players to matchups, with B on the ball up top. They needed to be tougher. 4/10

[Arielle (Ari) Chambers @ariivory]

With the waiving of Betnijah Laney Hamilton, that leaves only Sabrina Ionescu & Rebecca Allen (& technically Han Xu) as the original Barclays Libs (2021)

[STEVIE. @nyst3vie]

🤍🐝

[I talk hoops 🏀 @trendyhoopstars]

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton as a Full-Time Starter (2020–Present)

2020: 17.2 PPG | 4.9 RPG | 4.0 APG with ATL
2021: 16.8 PPG | 4.1 RPG | 5.2 APG with NY
2023: 12.8 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 2.4 APG with NY
2024: 11.8 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 3.3 APG with NY (🏆)

Missed the entire 2025 season before coming off the bench in 12 of her 17 appearances this season.

[Madeline Kenney @madkenney]

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's time in Brooklyn has come to an end. https://t.co/VGIyTJNINc

[Myles @MylesEhrlich]

Covering Betnijah this past half-decade has been an enormous privilege. She’s faced a ton of adversity throughout her WNBA career, and she’s always come through it. This is another opportunity to prove herself. And I’ll be rooting loudly for her success. Thanks, B. 10/10

[Geoff Magliocchetti @GeoffJMags]

Jonathan Kolb: lWhile this decision is incredibly difficult, we believe this will give Betnijah the best opportunity to pursue a larger basketball role. We wish her nothing but success moving forward, and she'll always be a member of the Liberty family. As a key contributor to the first championship in franchise history, Betnijah's legacy with the Liberty is forever cemented.” #WNBA

[NY Liberty Brasil @nylibertybr]

OBRIGADO, QUEEN B! 🐝👑

Foi triste ver despedidas como as de Kayla Thornton, Nyara Sabally e Kennedy Burke, mas nenhuma delas machucou tanto quanto a de Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.

Betnijah chegou a New York em 2021, depois de passar por temporadas marcadas pela instabilidade. Ela acreditou no projeto antes mesmo da chegada das grandes estrelas que viriam depois. Enxergou potencial onde muitos não viam e, enquanto ajudava a construir uma nova cultura na equipe, também estabilizava a própria carreira.

Ainda em 2021, foi recompensada com sua primeira eleição ao All-Star Game. Em 2022, voltou ao radar da seleção dos Estados Unidos, foi convocada para a Copa do Mundo e terminou campeã. Já não havia dúvidas: New York era sua casa.

Com o passar dos anos, Betnijah assumiu diferentes papéis e brilhou em todos eles. Quando precisou abrir mão dos holofotes e das premiações individuais, fez isso sem hesitar, colocando o coletivo acima de si mesma e tornando-se a operária perfeita de um elenco repleto de estrelas.

Em 2023, o sonho escapou por pouco. A derrota em casa para o Las Vegas Aces foi dolorosa, e Betnijah sempre pareceu ser a mais sentida, mas a recompensa viria logo no ano seguinte: o seu primeiro título da WNBA, e com papel fundamental, aparecendo em momentos importantes e ajudando nos dois lados da quadra. Um momento histórico para a franquia e mais do que merecido para uma jogadora que acompanhou todo o processo.

Mas o esporte, às vezes, é cruel. E com Betnijah pareceu ser ainda mais. Durante a offseason seguinte, enquanto disputava a Unrivaled, Queen B sofreu uma lesão no menisco e precisou passar por cirurgia, ficando fora de toda a temporada da WNBA.

Ela trabalhou duro, se recuperou, renovou com o New York Liberty para 2026 e parecia pronta para retomar seu lugar. O que aconteceu depois foi decepcionante e, principalmente, injusto. Betnijah recebeu um tratamento difícil de compreender: foi praticamente excluída da equipe que chamou de casa durante tantos e tantos anos. Ainda assim, jamais deixou de mostrar sua elegância, seu profissionalismo e sua bondade.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton honrou esse uniforme como poucas atletas conseguiram e sai como uma lenda e como uma inspiração. Merece todo o respeito, reconhecimento e carinho do mundo. E, se o front office não foi capaz de demonstrar isso da forma que ela merecia, a torcida certamente será.

Queen B nasceu na Philadelphia, mas existe algo que ninguém poderá tirar dela: o tão falado espírito nova-iorquino. Pela força, pela resiliência e pela capacidade de se reinventar, Betnijah sempre será vista como mais uma dessa comunidade. E eu não tenho dúvidas de que ela dará a volta por cima mais uma vez. Obrigado, Laney.

[Myles @MylesEhrlich]

Per release, the New York Liberty announced today that the team has released Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.

"We want to thank Betnijah for everything she has given to this organization. She has been an instrumental part of our success since 2021 and has made a lasting impact on our team, both on and off the court. We're incredibly grateful for her professionalism, leadership, and the commitment she brought to the New York Liberty every day.

While this decision is incredibly difficult, we believe this will give Betnijah the best opportunity to pursue a larger basketball role. We wish her nothing but success moving forward, and she'll always be a member of the Liberty family. As a key contributor to the first championship in franchise history, Betnijah's legacy with the Liberty is forever cemented," said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty.