Anneli Maley has signed her first full-season contract with the New York Liberty, marking a significant milestone in her professional basketball career. The 28-year-old forward, who had previously been on a developmental contract, was elevated to the full roster on September 3, following the team’s decision to open a spot after Satou Sabally was ruled out for the season due to a head injury.

Maley recounted her initial reaction to the news, describing confusion and disbelief upon hearing a lengthy voice message from Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb. After initially tuning out the first portion of the message and hearing a reference to acquiring another developmental player, Maley assumed she had been released. However, on a second listen, she understood that she had in fact been promoted, a development she described as “awesome” and a validation of her hard work and perseverance.

The contract represents a notable achievement for Maley, who has faced a challenging path to the WNBA. She played two years of college basketball but was not selected in the WNBA draft. Her professional journey included a brief stint with the Chicago Sky in 2022 as a hardship player, multiple waivers and releases, and a short tenure with the Phoenix Mercury before eventually joining the Liberty on a developmental contract.

During this season, Maley has worked extensively with the Liberty’s director of basketball strategy, Parker Lovett, dedicating considerable time to individual training and practice squad drills. Her role as a developmental player, which often goes unnoticed, has been characterized by a positive mindset and commitment, qualities highlighted by teammate Jonquel Jones. Jones emphasized the importance of Maley’s ability to maintain a light atmosphere during the pressures of the season.

Maley has long been recognized for her defensive skills and rebounding, and she notes her offensive game has seen significant improvement this season. With Maley moving up to the full roster, the Liberty filled the vacant developmental position by signing Madison Scott, a wing player from Ole Miss. Scott reached out to Maley for guidance on what to expect, and Maley assured her that while the role is demanding, the organization provides strong support and values its players.

Maley’s promotion underscores the Liberty’s faith in her continued development and her resilience as she seizes the opportunity to contribute at the highest level of women’s professional basketball.