It’s official, folks: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s time with the New York Liberty is over. The team announced Thursday, August 6, that the 32-year-old forward was waived, a bombshell move considering she wasn’t dealt at the recent WNBA trade deadline. This is a tough pill to swallow for fans who watched her be a key piece in the Liberty’s 2024 championship run.
From All-Star to the Sidelines: What Went Wrong?
Talk about a whirlwind! Laney-Hamilton, a former All-Star and a starter on the 2024 title team, has seen a dramatic shift in her role. After recovering from a knee injury that kept her out for *all of last season*, we all expected to see her back making an impact. Instead, the veteran forward went seven consecutive games without seeing the court. Seven! That’s a crazy amount of bench time for someone of her caliber, especially after working hard to get back. And then there’s the final on-court moment we saw: an ejection for throwing a shoe in a July 12 loss against the Toronto Tempo. You just don’t see that every day. Her numbers this season, appearing in 17 games with just five starts, averaged out to 4.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Those aren’t the stats we’re used to seeing from a player who was so instrumental in a championship season.
Liberty GM Speaks: Tough Decisions and Lasting Legacies
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb released a statement acknowledging the difficult decision. He made it clear that Laney-Hamilton’s contributions since 2021 have been huge. Kolb said, “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.” He called it an “incredibly difficult” decision, but expressed belief that it gives Betnijah “the best opportunity to pursue a larger basketball role.” Kolb finished by cementing her place in franchise history: “As a key contributor to the first championship in franchise history, Betnijah’s legacy with the Liberty is forever cemented.”
So, what happens now? For the Liberty, it’s a new chapter without a familiar face. For Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, the hunt for that “larger basketball role” begins immediately. Where will a former All-Star and champion land next after such a wild exit? It’s definitely going to be one of the biggest stories to watch as the season moves forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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