Liberty surprisingly release Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after benching
Key Points:
- Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was released by the New York Liberty after a controversial incident where she threw a teammate's shoe at an opponent, leading to her ejection from a game on July 12.
- Prior to the incident, Laney-Hamilton's playing time and production had significantly decreased, culminating in eight consecutive games where she did not play by coach's decision.
- The Liberty attempted to trade Laney-Hamilton before the deadline but were unable to find a deal, leading to her release to allow her to seek a larger role elsewhere.
- Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb thanked Laney-Hamilton for her contributions, highlighting her role in the team's 2024 WNBA championship and her lasting impact on the franchise.
- Laney-Hamilton, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury, returns to free agency with diminished expectations compared to her peak years but remains a potential option for other teams.