Satou Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu sat shoulder to shoulder in the hallway outside the Liberty’s practice court in the depths of Barclays Center.
Two Oregon teammates reunited in the Big Apple.
“It’s something that we never thought could be a possibility,” Ionescu said Monday after the Liberty’s first day of training camp concluded. “When we were in college and then we got drafted, it’s like, ‘OK, this is the end.’ And now it’s pretty cool to be kind of reunited.”
Ionescu said she didn’t really participate in the recruiting process to bring Sabally to New York. She wanted it to happen and thought it would be mutually beneficial, but she also wanted her friend to pick what was the best situation for her.
After Sabally made the decision to sign with the Liberty this month, the two FaceTimed and celebrated. They were excited that they would be back together. But they also believe this group has the potential to go all the way this season.
Two seasons ago, the Liberty’s championship core of Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones helped the Liberty get over the hump and win the franchise’s first title.
Last year, their season ended with Sabally’s Mercury team eliminating New York in the first round.
The Liberty have proven that this roster has what it takes to win it all. Now, Sabally’s arrival reaffirms New York’s goal of winning it all again.
“We talked about it from day one, the goal is to win a championship,” guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton said. “And now it’s not looking too far ahead.”
Coming off the championship last year, the Liberty’s high energy was contagious, their hunger to win another title unmistakeable.
Those traits remained prevalent Monday, though the team has a new look and feel than 2025.
The Liberty hired longtime Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco to succeed Sandy Brondello, who was canned after the season. Sabally, a unicorn with her ability and versatility on the court, signed in free agency. Laney-Hamilton, a defensive stopper who missed last season rehabbing from an injury, is back and ready to go.
The length, size and skill of this roster gives this team endless possibilities.
That potential is an exciting thought for Ionescu, but could be a nightmare for everyone outside of the Liberty.
“This feels different because obviously we’re at a different place in this organization,” Ionescu said. “[It] doesn’t matter what you did a few years ago, it’s where we’re at now. And I feel like this hunger and drive to win again here in New York for the people who are returning but also the newcomers, it’s like we all deserve to put our best foot forward and go out and win a championship together.”
DeMarco has yet to see this full team together. Stewart (Fenerbahçe) and Marine Johannès (Galatasaray) played in the EuroLeague women championship Sunday and are expected to arrive in Brooklyn by the end of this week.
Leonie Fiebich and Raquel Carrera won’t join the Liberty until their Valencia Basket season ends, which could be late May.
Pauline Astier’s exact arrival depends on the ZBL playoffs, but she should be here before the end of this month.
It’ll take time to get everyone acquainted with the new principles and system DeMarco is incorporating. But there’s belief within this group that the Liberty have what it takes to get back to the top of the WNBA.
“Bringing the core back, the added pieces we had, we’re right there,” Laney-Hamilton said. “And so now, it’s just staying focused, making sure that we’re taking it one step at a time, making sure that we’re doing all the things that we have to do to reach our goal.”
