2023-free-agency-list

2023 Free Agency List

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Jazmine Jones and Leaonna Odom waived
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 4, 2022 – The <a href="https://liberty.wnba.com/news/new-york-liberty-re-sign-rebecca-allen/">New York Liberty have re-signed veteran guard Rebecca Allen</a>, the team announced today. Prior to the signing, the Liberty placed guard Jazmine Jones and forward Leaonna Odom on waivers.
Allen, 29, returns to New York for her seventh season in Seafoam. In 2021, she recorded career highs in minutes per game (24.2), points per game (9.2), three-point field goals made (48), steals per game (1.6), blocks per game (1.2) and assists per game (1.1), while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc over 25 contests, 13 of which were starts.
“Bec has an incredible versatility on both sides of the ball, and has provided us with consistent veteran leadership over the years,” said General Manager Jonathan Kolb. “Her return to New York is vital to solidifying our team’s core and I believe that she is poised for another career year in Brooklyn under Sandy’s tutelage.”
An Australia native and member of the Australian women’s national basketball team led by Head Coach Sandy Brondello, the 6-2 guard has totaled 133 WNBA career regular season games with a three-point percentage of 38.4% (119-310). Currently, Allen is competing with Valencia Basket Club in Spain, the reigning EuroCup Champions, where she is averaging 11.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on 46.2% (55-119) shooting from deep in domestic and international play.
Jones, the Liberty’s No. 12 overall selection in the 2020 WNBA Draft, averaged 8.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 18.6 minutes in 47 games over the past two seasons. In 2020, she earned New York’s first spot on the WNBA All-Rookie team since 2015.
Odom was selected No. 15 overall also by the Liberty in 2020. She averaged 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 16.5 minutes while shooting 48.3% from the field in 40 games, 16 of which were starts.
“We would like to thank Jazmine and Leaonna for their contributions to the Liberty organization over the past two seasons,” said Kolb. “Both players were consummate teammates during their time here, and we wish them all the best.”
The New York Liberty return to Barclays Center this summer, tipping off the season on Saturday, May 7 against the Connecticut Sun. For more information, visit <a href="http://nyliberty.com">nyliberty.com</a>.

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New York Liberty Re-Sign Rebecca Allen

Check out Saturday&#8217;s Top Plays in The WNBA

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Saturday's Top Plays

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NEW YORK (AP) — Betnijah Laney scored 19 points and Jazmine Jones had 12 of her 17 points in the second half to help the New York Liberty rally from an 18-point deficit and beat the Washington Mystics 82-79 on Saturday, spoiling the homecoming of Tina Charles.
The former Liberty star and native New Yorker was traded to Washington as part of a three-team deal before the 2020 season. The Liberty used the picks they got from the Mystics to draft Jones and Leaonna Odom.
Charles helped Washington build an 18-point halftime advantage before New York rallied behind Jones to take an 80-79 lead with 52.1 seconds left on Reshanda Gray’s layup on a pass from Sabrina Ionescu. The 2020 No. 1 pick had five points and assisted on two baskets in the final 4:10 of the game.
“She was big for us down the stretch. That was vintage Sabrina,” Liberty coach Walt Hopkins said. “Had to manage her minutes or she would have played a lot more.”
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<div class="Component-adTitle-0-2-13">Washington had chances to take the lead in the final minute, but Charles missed two free throws with 52.1 seconds left. After an offensive foul with 23.6 seconds left by New York, the Mystics had three more opportunities. Charles passed to Leilani Mitchell in the corner for a 3 that missed. Charles got the offensive rebound and Zellous missed another jumper.</div>
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Charles then corralled one more board before she was called for an offensive foul with 2.3 seconds left.
Laney hit two free throws tbetsao seal the win for New York (9-9).
“I missed three key free throws,” said Charles of the last few minutes when she also missed a technical foul free throw. “Leilani had a great look, (Zellous) had a great look.”
Charles finished with 31 points and 16 rebounds. She is having an MVP-type season for Washington (7-10) after getting medical exemption last year because of the risk of severe complications from contracting COVID-19. She came into the game averaging a career-best 25.5 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Rebecca Allen and Reshanda Gray are the only players left from Charles’ time in New York. Allen was in a walking boot on her right foot and missed her third straight game.
“A Lot of people asked me if I was going to be emotional. My dream was to play at the Garden and that’s what I did. It’s different playing here,” Charles said. “This is a total new organization, total different people who are here. Bill Laimbeer isn’t here, Dan Padover, Kristin Bernert. The people who believed in me and brought me here. If they were still here it would be a whole different story. Playing against a team that happens to be in New York for me.”
Charles helped the Liberty to the best record in the Eastern Conference from 2015-17, but the team couldn’t get to the WNBA Finals.
After the first quarter — in which Charles had six points, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal — the Liberty played a video tribute to the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She got a nice ovation from the crowd, which she stood and waved to.
“That was cool. I was surprised,” Charles said.
Washington led 28-15 after one quarter.
SIDELINED
The Mystics are short-handed with only eight healthy players. Natasha Cloud worked out before the game, but was still out with a sprained right ankle. Elena Delle Donne hasn’t played this season while recovering from back surgery. Erica McCall (right knee sprain) and Myisha Hines-Allen (left patellar tendon strain) also were out.
SCARY MOMENT
Jones went <a class="" href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1411389940001296394?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">flying out of bounds</a> trying to save a ball in the third quarter and jumped over the Mystics bench before flipping over the railing behind it. She was fine, popping right up afterwards.
“I need to be in Tokyo doing gymnastics,” Jones said. “That’s what my teammates said. I need to be in Tokyo.”
That play came a few minutes after Didi Richards sprained her neck on a loose ball. She had to be helped off the court.
“She got rocked pretty hard and with her injury history it was pretty scary for her,” Hopkins said.
UP NEXT
Mystics: Visit Chicago next Saturday.
Liberty: Host Dallas on Monday.

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Liberty Rally From 20 Down To Beat Mystics

Betnijah Laney leads New York with 19 points and adds 3 rebounds and 3 assists as the Liberty come from behind to beat the Mystics.

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Game Recap: Liberty 82, Mystics 79

Sabrina Ionescu dropped 15 PTS on 6-7 shooting and Jazmine Jones recorded 17 PTS off the bench for the New York Liberty.

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Sabrina Ionescu, Jazmine Jones Deliver Tough Play To Help Liberty Defeat Mystics (July 3, 2021)

The Chicago Sky explode for 37 points in the second quarter to break away from the New York Liberty early as they win easy, 91-68.

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Game Recap: Sky 91, Liberty 68

Kelsey Plum scores 18 points and A&#8217;ja Wilson adds 17 as the Aces rout the Liberty at home.

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GAME RECAP: Aces 103, Liberty 76

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kelsey Plum scored 13 of her career-high 32 points in the fourth quarter, Liz Cambage had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and the Las Vegas Aces beat the New York Liberty 100-78 on Tuesday night.
Plum was 11 of 16 from the field, including 3 of 6 from behind the arc, to top her previous best of 23 points against Seattle in 2017.
Dearica Hamby had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists for Las Vegas (9-3).
Plum led all scorers with 13 points in the fist half to help Las Vegas build a 48-45 lead after trailing by double digits . The Aces outscored the Liberty 25-15 in the third.
Jazmine Jones paced New York (6-5) with 17 points and Betnijah Laney had 15 points and six assists. Kylee Shook added 12 points with nine rebounds and Sami Whitcomb scored 10.

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Kelsey Plum Scores New Career-High 32 PTS, Aces Beat Liberty

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PHOENIX &#8212; (AP) — Betnijah Laney had 23 points and 10 assists, and the New York Liberty held on to beat the Phoenix Mercury 85-83 on Sunday.
The Liberty (6-4) never trailed after taking a 12-11 lead in the first quarter and led by 16 in the first half. The Mercury (5-6) tied it at 51 and 72 and had a chance to tie or go ahead on the final play.
Phoenix&#8217;s Skylar Diggins-Smith rebounded Laney&#8217;s missed 3-point attempt with six seconds left and tried to take it the length of the court. But, as she crossed the 3-point arc, she lost control of her dribble and the Liberty&#8217;s Rebecca Allen scooped it away to secure the win.
Jazmine Jones scored 14 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter for the Liberty. Sami Whitcomb added 14 points and Kylee Shook scored 10.
Brittney Griner had a season-high 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Mercury. Diggins-Smith added 25 points.

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Laney Scores 23, Liberty Beat Mercury 85-83

Latest

Jazmine Jones

2022: <a href="https://fever.wnba.com/news/fever-awarded-jazmine-jones-on-waivers/">Claimed off waivers</a> by the Indiana Fever on February 10, 2022
2021: Saw action in 27 games in her second WNBA campaign.… Posted consecutive games of 16+ points against the Mercury and Aces on June 13 and 15, as well as the Mystics and Wings on July 3 and 5… Shot a career-best 38.3% from three.
2020: Selected by the New York Liberty with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft…Named to the 2020 WNBA, ESPN and Associated Press All-Rookie Teams…Became the first Liberty WNBA All-Rookie Team selection since 2015 after receiving 6 votes from opposing head coaches&#8230;Jones averaged 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 21.4 minutes per game over 20 contests…She ranked first in steals, third in rebounds and fourth in points across all WNBA rookies this season…Season-highs were 24 points (vs. LOS – 8/11), 10 rebounds (vs. IND – 9/10), 6 assists (vs. WAS – 9/12) and 5 steals (vs. LOS – 8/11).
PLAYOFFS
2021: Logged 3:06 minutes and attempted a field goal in her WNBA Playoff debut against the Phoenix Mercury on September 23.
COLLEGE: Jones joins the Liberty as just the fourth player in Louisville program history to be selected in the first round (Angel McCoughtry, Shoni Schimmel, Asia Durr)…Four-year teammate of Kylee Shook, and three-year teammate of Asia Durr…Named an All-ACC First Team, All-ACC Defensive Team, All-ACC Academic Team and ACC All-Tournament Team selection…Earned a WBCA All-American honorable mention…Named to the Wade Trophy Midseason Watch List…She is a part of the third straight senior class to conclude their career as the most accomplished class in program history. They set the program record for wins (125), winning percentage (.868) and fewest losses (19)…Played in 144 career games, which eclipses Myisha Hines-Allen (2014-2018) and Shoni Schimmel (2010-14), who played 142 for most games played in program history. Played in all 32 games in 2020 with 31 starts, ranked second on team with 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists…In five games against AP Top 25 teams, averaged 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists…Ranked sixth in the ACC and 37th in the NCAA with a 53.9 shooting percentage…Ranked seventh in the ACC with a 1.50 assist-to-turnover ratio.
PERSONAL: Born on Oct 15, 1996…Daughter of Reginald Jones Sr. and Felicia Jones&#8230;Has one brother (Reginald Jones Jr.) and two sisters (GiGi Thomas; Charmaine Thomas)…Dad played collegiate football at Florida A&amp;M and then professionally for the Dallas Cowboys; brother played collegiate football at Florida International; sister GiGi played collegiate basketball at Appalachian State and Jacksonville…Attended Florida A&amp;M University Developmental Research School where she graduated in 2016…Voted the 2015-16 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year for girls’ basketball… That same year, Jones was selected the All-Big Bend Player of the Year – second-consecutive time earning the honor – and became a two-time Florida Dairy Farmers Class 2A Player of the Year… Averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals in logging a 30-2 season and consecutive Class 2-A state titles… Named to the 2014 U.S. Women’s U-18 National Team Trials roster.