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Liberty Welcome New Head Coach Chris DeMarco to NYC

BQE Admin on December 19, 2025

From left to right: Liberty CEO Keia Clarke, General Manager Jonathan Kolb, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Nyara Sabally, Head Coach Chris DeMarco, Isabelle Harrison, Sabrina Ionescu, and Owner/Governor Clara Wu Tsai. (Photos by Noah Zimmerman)

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

New York’s newest head coach landed in the city last week for an introductory press conference and youth clinic. Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco fielded questions at the Barclays Center before swapping his suit and tie for a tracksuit and heading across the street to the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center.

After his introductory press conference, DeMarco made his first appearance at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center across the street!

After spending well over a decade in the Bay Area and helping oversee the development of one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history, DeMarco is coming to NYC, ready to set his sights on a new challenge as he becomes the 10th to lead the original WNBA franchise.

He’ll finish his assistant coaching duties with the Warriors at the end of the year, coincidentally right after they come to the Barclays Center to take on the Brooklyn Nets on December 29.

Chris DeMarco will finish his tenure with the Golden State Warriors after they visit the Brooklyn Nets at the end of December.

“We needed somebody who understands the habits that go into building a dynasty,” said General Manager Jonathan Kolb. “Someone that’s been in a championship culture and understands the cost of greatness and the accountability that’s required to sustain it.”

DeMarco is one of now seven former NBA assistants set to coach WNBA teams in 2026, joining high profile coaches like Becky Hammon, Natalie Nakase, and Nate Tibbets. It’s a strategy that has worked out well for plenty of teams, especially the Las Vegas Aces who picked up their third championship, all won under Hammon’s leadership. 

The Liberty also saw their 2025 campaign ended by a star-studded team led by Tibbets, who spent 12  years as an assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trailblazers, and Orlando Magic. Now New York will look to replicate the formula, also hoping to retain their top talent.

“I’m honored to be in a head coaching role in the WNBA. The league is expanding rapidly, it’s exciting and it’s where I want to be,” said DeMarco. “There’s tremendous growth each year and I get a chance to coach the greatest basketball players in the world.”

“t’s where I want to be. There’s tremendous growth each year and I get a chance to coach the greatest basketball players in the world,” said DeMarco.

Much of the offseason depends on how the collective bargaining agreement shakes out, but once that hurdle is cleared the Liberty are expected to be very aggressive in free agency to retain some stars and bolster their core.

The Liberty will not make a 1st round selection in the 2026 WNBA draft after trading their pick alongside last year’s 1st in the Natasha Cloud deal. Still, they’ll have plenty of assets and allure to bring in what they need to pursue a second title when the season tips off next year.

WNBA Barrels Towards Contentious CBA Battle

BQE Admin on October 8, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

As a thrilling WNBA Finals series between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury continues out West, many eyes are turning towards the upcoming expiration of the league’s collective bargaining agreement. With controversial clashes and rocky relations across the league, many are bracing for a hard fought period of negotiation as the league approaches its next era.

At the top of the long list of issues is a new spat between WNBA MVP runner-up and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Collier’s season came to an end with a brutal injury at the end of Minnesota’s Game 3 loss to Phoenix. In the final seconds, Mercury star Alyssa Thomas pounced for a steal, with her legs clashing with Collier’s as she took over possession.

Thomas put home a layup on the other end to finish the Mercury win and establish a 2-1 series lead, but the no-call by the refs led to an explosion from longtime Lynx leader Cheryl Reeve. Lynx players and assistant coaches had to help keep Reeve restrained as she was ejected from the game, and the coach’s comments in the postgame presser led to a suspension for Game 4. Without their star player and coach, the #1 seeded Lynx fell to the Mercury.

“When you let the physicality happen, people get hurt, there’s fights, and this is the look that our league wants for some reason,” Reeve said to open up her press conference. “I want to call for a change in leadership at the league level… it’s bad for the game.”

Reeve went on to comment on Collier’s lack of free throw attempts in a very physical series, calling the league’s choice of referee crew “malpractice,” along with some more harsh verbiage. On top of her suspension, Reeve was fined $15,000 for her comments, with the WNBA also fining the Aces’ Becky Hammon and Fever’s Stephanie White $1,000 for voicing their support for the Lynx coach.

Collier suffered multiple torn ligaments that will cause her to miss the 2nd season of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league, in which she was the inaugural MVP last year. She wasn’t any softer on Engelbert and the league’s referee issues in her exit interview a few days later. “Year after year the only thing that remains consistent is a lack of accountability from our leaders,” the WNBA Players Association Vice President said.

Collier then brought up a previous conversation with Engelbert, noting that young stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers drive significant revenue while making very little in their first four seasons of professional basketball.

“Her response was: Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court, because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t be making anything,” Collier recalled. “That’s the mentality driving the league from the top. The league believes it succeeds despite its players, not because of them.”

Engelbert denied some of her comments and said she was “disheartened” to hear the remarks made about the league’s leadership. “If the players in the W don’t feel appreciated and valued by the league, then we have to do better and I have to do better,” she said.

Some Liberty players were also vocal about Engelbert’s comments and how the league values their young stars. In an October 3 post on X/Twitter, Isabelle Harrison asked “Why won’t our commissioner talk about the fact that a transformational CBA requires a salary system that actually values the players and the revenue they drive in a meaningful way?”

Both Harrison and Natasha Cloud stated that they were standing with Collier, and Emma Meesseman posted “Phee for President” on her socials. Another Liberty star to speak out was Breanna Stewart, who currently serves as another Vice President in the WNBAPA.

“Phee and I agree – what’s best for the players is best for the business. The W’s growth depends on valuing its athletes,” Stewart said in a statement. “The CBA is where commitment is proven – and where the future of our game is decided.”

The Players Association will have some heavy requirements to meet before signing off on a new CBA, with many expecting it will require Engelbert stepping down as commissioner due to the growing rift between her and the league’s players. Between Engelbert, the referee issues, and contract valuation, negotiations are sure to be intense and long-lasting.

Whether the league can avoid a lockout is to be seen, but it would be detrimental to both the league and women’s basketball as a whole if the highly-anticipated 2026 season is delayed. The W has made leaps and bounds over the recent years, and now it’s time to see how that growth pays off for the players who have paved the way.

Brooklyn Basketball Training Center Opens Doors Downtown

BQE Admin on October 2, 2025

The Brooklyn Basketball Training Center is equipped with top-tier tools to help NYC kids perfect their skills! (Photos: BSE Global)

Liberty stars, Nets youngsters join Joe and Clara Wu Tsai for ribbon-cutting ceremony

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

On Thursday afternoon, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment (BSE), the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Liberty held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center. Located just across the street from the Barclays Center, the new state-of-the-art facility will be home to youth clinics, training camps, and an array of local programming to help build the next generation of Brooklyn basketball players.

Brooklyn Basketball, the flagship youth basketball program affiliated with both the Nets and Liberty, has spent a few years building a deeper connection with the local community. Now with the help of the brand new facility they will be able to take their relationship to the next level.

“This isn’t just a building, it’s a bold step in how we empower youth through sports,” said Nets CEO and alternate governor Sam Zussman in his opening statements. “This center is a place where fundamentals, teamwork, discipline, and mental toughness meet innovation, where expert coaching meets cutting edge technology, and where every kid who walks through these doors knows they’re seen, supported, and celebrated.”

“The greatest thing about this place is that it’s not just about the hoops, it’s the people who are going to be in here and the community we’re going to be giving back to,” added Nets General Manager Sean Marks.

Liberty stars Breanna Stewart, Natasha Cloud, and Isabelle Harrison were some of the first to test out the new technology, taking each other on in a passing minigame ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud tested out a passing minigame

“Having this facility will show them how to reach [WNBA and NBA] goals. With all the technology and coaches involved in this, I think it’s going to be something everyone wants to be a part of,” said Stewart. “I hope I can come out here to work out if I need to,” she added with a laugh.

From left to right: Clara Wu Tsai, Breanna Stewart, Natasha Cloud, Isabelle Harrison, and Joe Tsai

Also joining Liberty players on stage to cut the ribbon was Nets forward Jalen Wilson and 2025 draft picks Nolan Traore and Drake Powell. After the speeches and ceremony, the NBA and WNBA players headed over to the hardwood to help out with the center’s first ever basketball clinic.

Nets 3rd year wing Jalen Wilson helps a kid with his jump shot at the first ever Brooklyn Basketball Training Center clinic

Wilson helped with jump shot form while others collected rebounds for a group of excited youngsters. It’s the first of many events to come, and with the Barclays Center just a few hundred feet away, Nets and Liberty players are sure to be a mainstay at the center.

Liberty Open 8-Game July Homestand vs LA

Dan on July 3, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman | noah@queensledger.com

The Liberty limped their way to the end of June, dropping five of their final seven after starting the season 9-0. Without star center Jonquel Jones, they’ve had a tough time on both slides of the floor with their lead in the East shrinking to half a game.

It seemed New York was going to begin righting the ship with a late win against the Valkyries in Golden State on Friday, but momentum swung right back with their largest margin of defeat this season in Phoenix and a tough loss to 2nd place Atlanta. In Phoenix, the Liberty had six players in double-figures, but Breanna Stewart’s team-high of 17 wasn’t enough to match Satou Sabally’s 25 for the Mercury. Satou’s sister Nyara Sabally added 16 for the Liberty.

In Atlanta, New York couldn’t stop the Dream’s shooting touch as they hit 53% of their shots, led by Brionna Jones’ 21 points and 20 from Allisha Gray. Natasha Cloud picked up her second 20-point game of the season and Stewart put up 21 in the losing effort for NY.

Some good news for New York is the return of Leonie Fiebich from international duty with Germany in the EuroBasket tournament. Fiebich averaged 14.8 points and 6 rebounds in her 6 games with Germany. The forward has been absent for New York’s entire seven-game skid and will provide shooting and playmaking on offense with size and versatility on the defensive end.

On Thursday night the Liberty will begin a vital homestand spanning nearly the entire month of July. They host the LA Sparks in the first of eight consecutive games at the Barclays Center. Los Angeles is one of five teams under the .500 mark, and New York will hope that they provide the spark needed to get back on track.

Following the game on Thursday, the Liberty will host the Seattle Storm on Sunday, July 6 at 1pm before taking on the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday July 8 at 8pm.

In other Liberty news, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart were both named starters for the WNBA All Star Game later this month. In their 12 games together they have both averaged over 20 points per game, the first time in Liberty history and fifth time in the W that two teammates have done so. The selections are Ionescu’s fourth and Stewart’s seventh, and the two will hit the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on July 19.



Liberty Look to Snap Skid After 3 Losses in Last 4

BQE Admin on July 2, 2025

New York’s lead in the East down to just 1 game

By Noah Zimmerman | noah@queensledger.com

The red-hot start to the 2025 Liberty season has come to a screeching halt, as New York entered the week with three losses in four games. Since their first loss of the year to the Fever, the Liberty’s backs have been up against the wall. Even their lone win wasn’t convincing, as New York had to overcome a 17-point deficit for win over Atlanta. The tough week continued as New York fell from 9-0 to 10-3 with losses to the Mercury and Storm. They’re down to just a one-game lead over Atlanta in the Eastern Conference.

The toughest pill to swallow was the return of Jonquel Jones to the Injured List The star center returned to action against the Dream last Tuesday after missing five games with a sprained ankle, but renewed the injury after just nine minutes in Thursday’s loss to the Mercury.

Jones has averaged 12 points and 9.6 rebounds through her 9 games. New York still hasn’t lost when Jones has recorded a double-double in a Liberty uniform, so Jonquel’s return to the lineup will be heavily anticipated. It’s estimated recovery will take 4-6 weeks, so Jones may be out through the WNBA All-Star break in July.

“You all see how valuable JJ is to us and how we want to play,” Head coach Sandy Brondello said. “Injuries are a part of the game, it’s unfortunate. JJ is going to work really hard but players are going to have to step up in her absence. you can’t replace JJ’s skill set or what she brings to us, we have to do it by committee.”

In their losses to the Fever and Mercury, the Liberty also struggled without the shooting and defense of Leonie Fiebich. The forward is currently playing with the German national team in the EuroBasket championships and has her WNBA contract suspended until the end of the tournament. She was in quarterfinal action on Wednesday night against Belgium.

Against Seattle, the Liberty were also down a third starter as Sabrina Ionescu missed the game with neck tightness. In her absence, Breanna Stewart scored 18, with Marine Johannes and Rebekah Gardner scoring 17 and 12 respectively in their first starts of the season. It wasn’t enough to overcome the Storm, who pulled away late for a 89-79 win.

A difficult road trip continues for New York, as each opponent holds a winning record. Following their Wednesday night matchup in Golden State, the Liberty traveled to Phoenix, where they’ll take on the Mercury on Friday night at 10pm. After that they’ll look to fend off the 2nd place Dream as they make a stop in Atlanta, with tipoff scheduled for 3pm on Sunday.

When they return home, New York will open a homestand spanning nearly the entire month of July. The Liberty will host the LA Sparks on Thursday, July 3 and the Storm on Sunday the 6.

 

 

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