Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Returns to the Liberty After Missing All of 2025, and the WNBA Just Got Scarier
The New York Liberty made it official on Wednesday: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is back. The forward who helped bring the championship home in 2024 has re-signed with the team after sitting out the entire 2025 season recovering from knee surgery. No word on contract details, but the message from Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb was crystal clear: she's not just a piece of the puzzle, she's foundational.
A Player the League Feared
"Betnijah is a rare player in this league: trusted and respected by her teammates and our fanbase, and feared by the opponents she takes on every night," Kolb said. That's the kind of endorsement you don't throw around lightly. In 2024, before the injury derailed everything, Laney-Hamilton averaged 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 28 games, including 25 starts. She wasn't just contributing, she was elevating the entire operation.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiAt 32 years old, Laney-Hamilton has been around the block. Career averages of 9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists across 234 games tell the story of a pro who knows how to show up when it matters. She's been an All-Star, made All-Defensive first team, and won Most Improved Player back in 2020. The credentials are there.
Healthy and Ready to Impact Both Ends
The big question mark was always going to be the knee. She went down in March 2025 with an acute meniscus injury during a game in the new Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, and that cost her the entire season. But Kolb said she's healthier than she's been in years, and if that holds up, the Liberty just added a defensive nightmare and a veteran presence that changes everything for them heading into the stretch.
"Having her back on the floor means a great deal to this franchise," Kolb said. With Laney-Hamilton back in the mix, the Liberty are banking on that 2024 championship DNA to carry them forward.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.