Betnijah Laney-Hamilton embodies a selfless athlete who prioritizes the needs of her team over personal grievances.
However, this season has pushed her boundaries in unforeseen ways, presenting her with unexpected challenges.
She has strived to keep any discontent about her changing role under wraps.
Yet, Laney-Hamilton acknowledges her strong desire to be out on the court.
“As a fierce competitor who has dedicated immense effort and been with the organization for a long time, there are moments it gets disappointing and frustrating,” Laney-Hamilton expressed on Tuesday prior to the Liberty’s clash with the Dallas Wings. “But this is also part of the journey. So, I’m focusing on being the best I can in these circumstances,” she added.
Laney-Hamilton missed all of last season rehabbing from knee surgery.
She put in a lot of work behind the scenes so she could enter this year the healthiest she had been for quite some time.
“Physically, I feel really good,” Laney-Hamilton said. “Physically, I feel better than I felt in a long time and so just taking it a day at a time, working through everything.”
Yet her role has varied, and doubt regarding her future in Brooklyn has started to surface.
Laney-Hamilton went from being a starter to coming off the bench. She missed time for personal reasons early on then was sidelined for two games after receiving an injection in her surgically repaired knee before a June 14 game in Chicago.
In the past two weeks, Laney-Hamilton hasn’t played in three games, despite being available, including last week’s Commissioner’s Cup win against the Las Vegas Aces and Friday’s win against the Minnesota Lynx.
Coach Chris DeMarco explained some of Laney-Hamilton’s benchings as the result of him tightening the rotation. He has repeatedly expressed confidence in Laney-Hamilton.
“She is valuable to us,” he said. “We have had a lot of communication, and she’ll be ready to go [Tuesday].”
Laney-Hamilton said she’s discussed her situation with DeMarco and general manager Jonathan Kolb several times.
“We’ve had a lot of different conversations,” she said, “and so now just trying to figure everything out and work through things.”
The WNBA trade deadline is Aug. 2. Laney-Hamilton took a brief pause when asked directly if she expected to be with the Liberty beyond that date.
“We’re working on things,” Laney-Hamilton said. “I don’t know what everything looks like right now. I’m just trying to take everything one step at a time and just stay in the moment. It’s been difficult. But today, right now, I feel pretty good. I just want to be able to focus on the game, go out there, do what I do at least for the fans, for the teammates, all the things.”
Fans have started to make known their support of Laney-Hamilton, a beloved franchise cornerstone.
The chant started like background noise but gradually amplified. An undeniable chorus of “We want Laney” chants sang throughout Barclays Center on Friday as she sat on the bench.
Laney-Hamilton never entered the game, much to the dismay of the team’s biggest supporters. But the former All-Star took notice. She said the fans’ outward support means “a lot” to her.
“It’s also a little overwhelming with the situation and everything and emotions and all the things,” she said. “But it’s something that I don’t take for granted, something that I do really appreciate to just know that the fans continue to have my back through a difficult time.
“I worked really hard to come back and to be in this position.”