Free agency has brought some significant reshuffling of WNBA team lineups. Much to the relief of New York Liberty fans, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones are all returning. They are joined by familiar faces: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, returning from injury; Han Xu, who made a splash her rookie season in 2019 and in 2022 and ’23; and Rebecca Allen, who played for the Liberty from 2015–22 before the 2023 trade that brought Jones to New York. Also heading to training camp is Rebekah Gardner, who played with the team last season, seeing limited minutes, but could be a much more substantial contributor after an outstanding Athletes Unlimited season this winter.
The big addition to the Liberty lineup is two-time All-Star Satou Sabally, for whom this is a homecoming. Although her sister Nyara won’t be here, selected by the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft, she is reunited with Ionescu, whom she played alongside at the University of Oregon. Although raised in Germany, Sabally was born in New York.
“This aligns with my identity of wanting to be at the highest level,” said Sabally, who loved beginning her time in Brooklyn with a community youth event. “Youth are the backbone of society … Sports liberate you and I just love to bring that to the youth and show that and be an example for that. This is super-dope. I serve through basketball.”
A shout-out goes to the Connecticut Sun as they prepare for the team’s “sunset season” in Connecticut.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA Champion Brittney Griner (BG) has signed on for the season. She joins a roster that includes Saniya Rivers, UConn alums Aaliyah Edwards and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the recently acquired Diamond Miller, and 2026 NCAA Champions Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker. This move is perfect for Griner because the team will move to Houston, her hometown, in 2027.
“It’s a little bittersweet moment of the beginning [of] the end in Connecticut,” said Sun general manager Morgan Tuck. “This year, we’re obviously excited to celebrate our players, but also our former players, our fans, all the supporters that we’ve had. We look at the change that’s on the horizon and look at it as an opportunity for growth … To have someone like BG, who is a legend … the impact she has is really special.”
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