Liberty Finalizes Roster with No Surprises
As the preseason wraps up, the Liberty has set its final 12-player roster without any unexpected changes.
In the lead-up to the 5 p.m. ET deadline on Thursday, the team waived guards Delin Erdoğan and Anneli Meiley, along with forward Alex Fowler late Wednesday night. This decision allowed Rebecca Gardner to secure the final available roster spot.
Australian guard Meiley had caught the team’s attention for some time, impressing during her first training camp with the Liberty. She made a strong case for that last spot with her energy and skills.
Her contributions off the bench in the preseason—26 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists—were quite remarkable. However, the Liberty ultimately valued the experience that Gardner, 35, brings to the squad, especially given their investment in her over the past two seasons. Gardner also had a solid training camp, stepping up by starting both preseason games while Sabally Sato was out.
In those matchups, Gardner totaled 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, showcasing her capability.
Looking ahead, the team still has to make a decision regarding the second and final developmental slot, a new addition under the WNBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement.
If Meiley, Erdoğan, or Fowler clear waivers, the Liberty could potentially choose one of them for this developmental role—essentially allowing a player to participate in training camps and other practices without affecting the main roster or salary cap.
Additionally, guard Marine Fortu is already on a developmental contract as she recovers from a knee injury. Coach Chris DeMarco noted that ranking players isn’t the primary focus when selecting for this spot.
“Typically, you want to pick the player who fits best with the team,” he explained. “If there are two guards we like, it’s a challenging choice.”
Meanwhile, Sabally missed Wednesday’s practice due to illness, leaving uncertainty about her availability for practice on Thursday or the season opener against the Connecticut Sun on Friday.
“We’re not worried. We just want her to have a successful season,” DeMarco said.
Rebecca Allen, who has been in “rehab” and missed a couple of preseason games, reported that she has participated in more practices but will also miss Friday’s season opener. She hopes to return in time for the match against Washington, D.C., on Sunday.
