3x All-Star joins loaded roster in hunt for a 2nd NY ring

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

“It’s always been a dream, playing here. I’ve always wanted to come home,” said Satou Sabally in her introductory press conference last Friday morning. “New York fans are tough on you and I love that and embrace it but they’re also so welcoming.”

The three-time WNBA All-Star is one of the newest members of the NY Liberty, who have hit the ground running in free agency. So far she is enjoying her time back in the city she was born in, looking forward to the season’s tip-off next month.

Satou Sabally

Sabally spent 2025 in Phoenix where she helped bring a loaded Mercury team to the WNBA Finals. She was dominant on both sides of the ball, just as she was in Dallas the six seasons prior. She was named an All-Star for the third time as she led Phoenix in scoring in the regular season and playoffs.

Sabally and superstar teammate Alyssa Thomas overcame a Game 1 loss to the Liberty in last year’s opening round to win in three games. They went on to do the same in four games against the championship-favorite Minnesota Lynx before ultimately being swept by the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals.

Sabrina Ionescu

The Liberty announced the return of their star trio later on Friday. Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones will all be back in seafoam green this year, as expected.

Ionescu may be returning to a primary ball-handling role this year. The 2020 first overall pick is now a four-time All-Star, also named to the All-WNBA 2nd Team last year.

Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart was a vital piece of the Liberty’s quest to repeat as champions last year. The 9-year superstar has dominated on both ends of the court, leading New York in points, blocks, and steals per game. She went to her 7th All-Star game, also earning All-WNBA 2nd Defensive Team honors last season.

Jonquel Jones

2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones is staying for 2026, looking to bounce back from a season where she wasn’t quite as dominant as others. The Bahamanian missed some time last year (as did Ionescu, Stewart, and plenty of others) but still tallied 12 double-doubles. Her physicality in the paint will be vital this year, especially with the addition of Sabally to the frontcourt.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is coming back to New York after missing the 2025 season with a meniscus tear. A sharpshooting wing and defensive force, Laney-Hamilton is bringing an unmatchable intensity back to the Liberty lineup.

Preseason training camp is underway in Brooklyn, with the first of two tune-up games tipping off this weekend. New York will host the Indiana Fever on Saturday, the 25 at 3pm at the Barclays Center. Then after heading up for a second preseason game in Connecticut, they open the regular season against the Sun on May 8 in Brooklyn.