It has been a historic past few days for the New York Liberty, who have been making some major moves to achieve that ultimate goal of winning the WNBA Championship.
On February 9, the team’s General Manager Jonathan Kolb along with Governor Clara Wu Tsai sat in front of the media to introduce two of the most decorated WNBA players to the New York City media.
Those two women are Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot, after what was a flurry of rumors the move was made official in what was a beautiful day in Brooklyn, New York.
For those who haven’t had the chance to see Stewart yet, she is a two-time WNBA Champion to go along with being the MVP of the WNBA in the 2018 season, while Vandersloot is ranked third all-time in assists.
“Today is a historic day for the New York Liberty organization and fanbase,” said Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb. “Stewie and Sloot are winners and choosing the Liberty in free agency shows that we’re all in on our commitment to bring a championship to New York. Both players are among the league’s all-time greats, consummate teammates, and high-character individuals.”
For Stewart, this will be a bit of a homecoming, as the forward hails from Syracuse, NY, and will have a chance to play in front of her hometown crowd after six seasons with the Seattle Storm. Stewart has been able to win a pair of WNBA Championships in 2018 and 2020.
Stewart was drafted First overall in the 2016 Draft after a stellar career with the University of Connecticut. Stewart has since shined in the WNBA, is thought of as one of the most decorated players in league history after winning the 2016 Rookie of the Year Award, four WNBA All-Star appearances (2018-19, 2021-2022) four All-WNBA First Team selections (2018, 2020-2022) and much more.
Vandersloot is a point guard from Washington, brings a 12-year resume with her, having spent most of her time in Chicago and helping to lead the sky to their first ever WNBA Championship in 2021. Vandersloot was able to make four WNBA All-Star appearances in 2011, 2019, 2021-2022, while also earning two All-WNBA First Team honors and other awards.
1495 Sports is proud to bring the following video from the press conference the New York Liberty held to welcome Stewart and Vandersloot to New York. Video compliments of the New York Liberty:
In addition the Liberty has been able to sign 13-year veteran, Epiphanny Prince to a training camp contract.
Prince, who has always shined in the WNBA, will have a chance to return to New York after three seasons with the Storm as she was able to help lead the Storm in winning the 2020 WNBA Championship. Epiphanny has also spent time in Las Vegas (2019), four in New York with the Liberty (2015-18), and five seasons in Chicago (2010-14).
Ephiphanny has another chance to play in front of her home crowd as the Brooklyn native has appeared in 305 games across 13 WNBA seasons while averaging 11.0 points, 2.6 assists and more.
The final signing for the Liberty is that of 6-3 forward Sika Kone, who is the team’s No. 29 overall selection in the 2022 WNBA Draft to a rookie scale contract.
Kone, will have a chance to play with the Liberty after playing four seasons with Spar Gran Canaria in Spain’s LF Endesa (2019-2023). Kone who is a member o teh Mali’s National Team, Sika has been impressive in the 2022 FIBA World Cup after having 12 points and a tournament-best 11.8 rebounds pers game.
Now the team will have a chance to practice and see how all of the names and stars will mesh together and see if this will be in fact the team to help to lead them to that Championship level.
The first true test for the New York Liberty will happen on May 19, as the New York Liberty will take on WNBA Powerhouse the Washington Mystics in a game that will be played in the Entertainment and Sports Arena. The tip between these two teams is set for 7:00 p.m.
For more information on the New York Liberty fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: