The New York Liberty have announced the release of veteran guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, ending her tenure with the team. The decision was made public on Thursday, following weeks of speculation after Laney-Hamilton had not played since being ejected for throwing a shoe during the Liberty’s July 12 loss to the Toronto Tempo. She had been a healthy scratch for eight consecutive games before her departure.

The Liberty explored trade possibilities ahead of Sunday’s deadline but were unable to finalize a deal that worked for all parties involved. The recent changes in the Liberty’s rotation, including the increased role of French guard Marine Fauthoux, contributed to the decision. Fauthoux, the Liberty’s third-round pick in 2021, has appeared in 11 of the maximum 12 games allowed for developmental players this season. Following Laney-Hamilton’s release, the team plans to sign Fauthoux to a multi-year contract.

Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb called the decision “incredibly difficult” but said it was made with Laney-Hamilton’s future in mind. “We believe this will give Betnijah the best opportunity to pursue a larger basketball role,” he said. Kolb also acknowledged Laney-Hamilton’s contributions to the franchise, particularly as a key member of the Liberty’s 2024 championship team. “Betnijah’s legacy with the Liberty is forever cemented,” Kolb added.

Laney-Hamilton, a former WNBA All-Star, had signed a one-year contract worth $400,000 in April, aiming to prove her value for a stronger contract in the future. The 32-year-old guard came to Brooklyn ahead of the 2021 season and played a vital role as the Liberty rose from playoff hopefuls to league champions. She was known for her two-way play and leadership, helping to end New York’s 51-year professional basketball title drought with the franchise’s first championship.

This season proved challenging for Laney-Hamilton. Despite entering the year in good health, she struggled to maintain a consistent role. Her playing time decreased significantly, and she missed stretches due to personal reasons as well as a knee injection related to a previous surgery. She appeared in 17 of the team’s 32 games, averaging 4.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists—her lowest statistical output since 2018.

As the second-longest-tenured player on the Liberty roster, Laney-Hamilton was widely respected for her professionalism and work ethic. Kolb expressed gratitude for her leadership and commitment to the organization, noting that she had left a lasting impact on the team both on and off the court.

With the Liberty moving forward without Laney-Hamilton, attention now turns to the development of younger players such as Fauthoux as the franchise looks to build on its recent success.