The New York Liberty officially announced the release of Betnijah Laney-Hamilton following a decision made four days after the trade deadline. The organization subsequently signed Marine Fauthoux, who had been on a developmental contract, to a multi-year agreement to fill the roster opening.
Laney-Hamilton, 33, had served as a starter for New York since 2021 and was instrumental in the franchise’s 2024 WNBA championship run. Over her tenure with the Liberty, the 6-foot guard appeared in 126 regular-season games with 108 starts, averaging 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. She sat out the previous year recovering from left knee surgery but returned to competition in the current season. However, her role diminished significantly under new head coach Chris DeMarco, with her playing time limited to under 17 minutes per contest. She has been unavailable since July 12, when she was ejected after throwing a shoe during a game.
Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb released a statement indicating the move would allow Laney-Hamilton to seek a more prominent playing role. Kolb praised her contributions to the organization, noting her professionalism, leadership, and impact both on and off the court since joining in 2021. He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while expressing confidence it serves Laney-Hamilton’s best interests.
With her contract guaranteed at $400,000 by the Liberty, Laney-Hamilton faces the waiver process before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Multiple teams could potentially benefit from her addition, including franchises seeking defensive reinforcement and veteran experience for playoff runs. Her two-way abilities and championship pedigree make her an attractive option for rosters aiming to bolster depth in the coming weeks.
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