Betnijah Laney’s Basketball Journey | Liberty Unlocked

Episode 6 of Liberty Unlocked follows Betnijah Laney’s basketball journey, including her mother’s influence on her development, finding her footing in the league, thriving in her role as the Liberty’s defensive anchor, and her case for 2023 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Featuring exclusive interviews with Betnijah, her mother Yolanda Laney, her husband Jordan Hamilton, General Manager Jonathan Kolb, and assistant coach Zach O’Brien, and sound from Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Courtney Vandersloot.

[@patricklilly]

there are a lot of stars on the Liberty, but Benijah is my favorite. She's tough and I like that trait. When the trades were done, all the press talked about was Stewart, Jones, Sloot and Sab and consistently left B out of the conversation. I hope that changes now. She is legit.

[@550beanzcedeno9]

💯 Betnijah is my favorite too 👍🏽⛹🏼‍♀️ her and Sabrina are the TRUE Leaders of this Liberty 🗽🏀 Team 💯⛹🏽‍♀️⛹🏻‍♀️⛹🏼‍♀️😍❤️ They're awesome 😎 beautiful and talented, respectfully 🙏🏽 much respect and 🏆 championships 🏅🥇🎖️🎊🎉🎆🎇 for the Liberty 🗽🏀 to come 🏆🎖️🥇🏅 NewYorkLiberty2023WNBAChampions 👍🏽

[@thestrangemanreturns]

lol

[@robmonroe9113]

This is spot on! Betnijah is my favorite as well. Had the privilege of being at the Libs - Aces Monday game sitting behind the basket near their bench. Seeing her defense up close was amazing! Her work at the point of attack, helping, switching, jumping passing lanes etc, sets the defensive tone for this team. Her defense and JJ's rebounding / inside presence is what helps separate them from the Aces.

[@TaraPolen-]

Loved Betnijah since Rutgers. Which reminds me -- a mention of Coach Stringer would have been nice. All that defense doesn't happen w/o Coach Stringer, who coached both B *and* her mother.

[@thepclady11]

I don't understand how that was left out😮!

[@nr30199]

Facts! Shout out to the legendary C. Vivian Stringer

[@JesusEmmanuelChrist]

The "Journey"...from the test-tube lab to the front porch to the grammar school to the college then to the WNBA. GRUELLING. Signed, Jesus Emmanuel Christ The Truth Relocator Hidden Congregation Commander-In-Thief

[@JesusEmmanuelChrist]

Wurps. Forgot that rigorous "high-school prep don't need to study phase".

[@claytonmaderia]

This is the best content being made by a team, or the league right now. Thank you for setting the standard of how to showcase not only these teams but the incredible players that make up this league. If more stories like these were shared the league and its players would be in a much better place. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@mellod5615]

Oh they giving Betnijah some shine? Love it! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@sarahroberts5784]

This is such an excellent feature. Brava for including her mother. Oh yeah she's our Queen Bee and 100% Defensive Player of the Year! Don't forget Bethnijah is a Bucket! #DPOY #BetnijahisaBucket

[@tmvjtmgnqtm]

Players like betnijah and marine are what anchors this team. They provide depth and grit that no stat sheet shows but is essential for a championship team

[@4gust4]

Great piece. 🏀😁 Seeing all those hard times and B's mother's interview, I like the player even more than before. I'm not crying, it's those damn allergies ! 🥲

[@wf2442]

C.Vivian Stringer 100%. Betnijah used to pick up full court at Rutgers for the 55 press.

[@Whoozer21]

A wonderful mother and daughter story. She's an individual who never gave up and she show's it on the court every night. I hope she's with our hometown Liberty for the rest of her career. Thanks Betnijah!

[@thepclady11]

Both played for the legendary C. Vivian Stringer!

[@Gjoshfreeman]

Laney is relentless with only one gear and that's GO,❤ I'd hate to have to go against her she never tired or miss a beat

[@raimiecaramancion3613]

DPOY

[@akirabenakira2797]

amazing player ! go liberty !! proud parents. beautiful and powerful people

[@kjrelax2307]

She doesn't get notice enough on the team. Her defense is the engine on this team.. & she can score as well. A two way player 🌟

[@BridgeCityPassages]

Benijah is a beast. Always giving 100%. And making the right choices. Amazing player.

[@apray359]

She had chelsea ready to fight her😂🤣

[@ZeldonSinghIsFly27.]

BETNIJAH Is my favourite player. what a great two player, bucket getter, standard setter and she clamps opponents anyday! communication delight.

[@zdiddy3710]

B is very, very important to the Liberty success. We need her to beat the Aces. She is a great defender and really a very good 2 way player!! I love B’s game!!!

[@andreacrawford3106]

I LOVE LANEY! She is so AMAZING! She plays with heart and grit!! I hope she stays in NY!! #1 DEFENSIVE WNBA PLAYER 🙌🏽🙌🏽🗽🗽🗽❤️🏀🏀🏀🏀🗽🗽🗽

[@malcolmdeandre919]

I love some Queen B Laney ❤😍🥰

[@leavymoore7871]

DEFINITELY TOP THREE TWO-WAY PLAYER IN THE WNBA.

[@hendrixbando]

i love her mom

[@johncodmaniii4470]

Shut down D and an inside outside scoring game, MVP?

[@petergreen1492]

I love her defense but I wish she be more like she was on offense like she was in 2021 Allstar season ?

[@cjcurtis8944]

She was more of an iso player who struggled to play within a team offense. That wouldn’t work at all now. She’s been more successful just letting the offense come to her within the team game.

[@mellod5615]

It's a lot of offensive talent on this team now but some of them are slow on defense. Her defense is a major asset on this team imo.

[@icitnow]

I think she’s a reliable open 3 or 2 points off a screen, or set play, and her excellent defense most often creates offense. She’s a blue collar, team player. She’s perfect for the Liberty!

[@cjcurtis8944]

@@icitnow she fits within the team scheme much better under Sandy than the previous regime.

[@icitnow]

@@cjcurtis8944 Most definitely!!

[@tingmei884]

Coach Sandy could use Laney at shooting guard , MJ at point , Thornton and Stewart at fordward , Dolson at Center VS certain team at certain time . Laney Thorton Stewar all could works inside/outside while MJ Dolson could shoot the lights out . defensively would be better . and Laney will have huge advange over other team's shooting guard

[@casbahqueen]

Great piece on my favorite Liberty player. Somehow tough AND smooth, Betnijah is the heart of this Liberty team.

[@amywilliams1443]

Love B! Her defense is ALWAYS on lock-down!

[@jeffgoodman3550]

A great all around player! Get that ring!

[@randonpile8979]

This gave me goosebumps! Thanks Mama 🐻

[@keishaaustin7928]

She deserves a championship...her hard work is never unnoticed with me. Great story

[@michaelphipps7777]

BENIJAH LANEY IS NICE!!! 💎🗽🦁❤️🌟🏆 And More To Come ♾️

[@canceradvocate2256]

Shout out to the Laney family. When I was a little boy I attended the Philly Boys and Girls in Pulaski Town. We were blessed to have Yolanda Laney teach us about basketball so many times at the club. Yolanda is a legend, a role model and a great person. I’ve been watching Betnijah play since her days and Rutgers and love her game too. Thank you Betnijah and Yolanda.

[@550beanzcedeno9]

💯 Betnijah is my favorite 👍🏽⛹🏼‍♀️ her and Sabrina are the TRUE Leaders of this Liberty 🗽🏀 Team 💯⛹🏽‍♀️⛹🏻‍♀️⛹🏼‍♀️😍❤️ They're awesome 😎 beautiful and talented, respectfully 🙏🏽 much respect and 🏆 championships 🏅🥇🎖️🎊🎉🎆🎇 for the Liberty 🗽🏀 to come 🏆🎖️🥇🏅 NewYorkLiberty2023WNBAChampions

[@1in8Thrive]

One of my favorite players. Yes, she’s that good! Let’s not forget she was selected for USA basketball last year to compete at the FIBA World Cup-incredibly difficult to be selected for that team.

[@KingJohn301]

You all did really well with this piece. 👑B for Dpoy

[@vanessagrayman2194]

Only a mama is listening to hear who’s getting the loudest cheers❤❤❤😂😂😂

[@Chimppk]

QUEEN B!!!!!!

[@biapizeta]

special player ❤

[@britirock7]

My favorite player hands down!

[@rob-n3o]

New york liberty I think sandy brondello should bring in wavied players Monika czinano before the playoffs start

[@GoneBallistik658]

Benijah Laney is following her mother's footsteps. Yolanda Laney was off the chain when she played for The Cheyney Wolves. 🐺

[@damiancox2594]

Betnijah Laney should be in contention for defensive player of the year in 2024 in my opinion

[@Kkayroyal]

B is a bucket! She’s really grown and is an offensive and defensive anchor

[@Lanier-ry5yy]

After the Fever game I had to look up who this beautiful woman was

[@lilybelle297]

I ❤ how she Plays. She is amazing 👏 👏👏 I hope 🙏 she will have the defensive player of the year

[@singloc3021]

My brutal assessment of the Liberty starters right now (8/30/2023). Breanna Stewart, GOAT among current active players. Sabrina Ionescu, three point threat and franchise player. Courtney Vandersloot, assist queen. Jonquel Jones, inside threat both points and rebounding. Betnijah Laney, work horse and has more to prove than anyone on this Liberty team. If anyone would get cut from the starting lineup, it would be Betnijah but that's my point of her being the hungriest off all the players.

[@cattypurry8023]

Liberty would be fools to ever cut B. Her defense and selfless team play make her far too important to the success of the team. Hope they get that Championship. Betnijah will be a big reason, if they do.

[@cibida1]

What’s up with kids not saying “thank you” after getting autographs?

[@bsmooth45]

AMEN!!! MY FAVE

[@whoiskgainez]

this is kinda long and aimless but i like betty

[@teekay7460]

Love her game!

[@hs-uz9cs]

Get it B! ❤❤❤

[@zdiddy3710]

B’s ability to post up, shoot the 3, hit the mid range…plus an exceptional defender!! B’s is my DPOY!! Let’s give this girl her flowers!!!

[@CFree3444]

Awesome Mother and Daughter! B for DPOY!!! She has my vote!

[@cibida1]

Glam and glitzy and girly off the court but on the court she’s a dog!

[@martinmaina9901]

"When the time is right, the time is right" I love that line.

[@eddietensley9142]

One of my favorites

[@blackandproud1748]

Mama Laney ❤❤

[@ddavis3]

🔥🔥🔥

[@freespirit5431]

this is great I love this 😇🥹