Longtime New York Liberty standout waived amid DNP-filled season

Aug 7, 2026 - 00:45

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty looks on against the Golden State Valkyries in the first quarter at Chase Center on June 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New York Liberty have waived longtime standout forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, the team announced on Thursday afternoon. Laney-Hamilton had fallen out of the rotation under first-year head coach Chris DeMarco, ultimately averaging 4.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in just 17 games this season. It was her most diminished role since the 2018 season, in which she suited up for the Connecticut Sun.

General manager Jonathan Kolb thanked Laney-Hamilton in an official press release.

“We want to thank Betnijah for everything she has given to this organization,” he said. “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.”

Forever a champion. Forever a part of the Liberty family.

Thank you, Betnijah, for everything you’ve poured into this organization, this city, and our fans. Your leadership, toughness, and heart helped shape our story, and we’ll always be grateful.

Once a Liberty, always… pic.twitter.com/8Mfe2po8BW— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 6, 2026

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton has been a longtime standout for the Liberty

The 32-year-old forward has long been one of New York’s best perimeter defenders and chief bucket-getters. She joined the Liberty in 2021, averaging 16.8 points and 5.2 assists per game in that first season.

She was a critical part of the 2024 championship team, averaging 7 points and 2.5 assists in 27.3 minutes per game.

Laney-Hamilton was a perennial starter for New York before missing the entirety of the 2025 season as she recovered from a knee injury. This year, she has racked up DNPs in a far more diminished role off the bench for the Liberty.

Since her WNBA career began in 2015, Laney-Hamilton has averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, while shooting 44.8% from the field and 35.2% from three. Before that, she was a standout at Rutgers who was drafted 17th overall by the Chicago Sky in 2015.

Now a free agent, Laney-Hamilton can sign with another WNBA team with just a few weeks remaining in the regular season.