With the WNBA expanding and women’s basketball gaining increased attention, is it time for the new women’s league, Unrivaled, to consider an expansion of its own? Liberty fans certainly think so, especially after witnessing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s electric debut with Laces BC. More of Queen B on the court? Yes, please.
Unrivaled announced last week that Laces BC had signed WNBA Champion and All-Star forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to a Relief Player Contract. When she got the call, she proved why staying ready is key. When asked about her decision to join Unrivaled, she said, "Just being home, seeing everything that the league had to offer, it was very appealing and very good product. Me being available and them asking me to come, it was a no-brainer."
Laney-Hamilton took the court for the first time against Liberty teammate Sabrina Ionescu and the Phantom. Known as “Queen B” or “Bucket B,” she lived up to the hype, demonstrating why she is one of the best two-way players in the W. She was an immediate spark off the bench for Laces BC, finishing her Unrivaled debut with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting, along with three assists and two rebounds. To top it all off, she sank the game-winning jumper off a fake and dribble, sealing a spectacular debut performance.
Her signing also allowed her to work with the New York Liberty’s new Player Development Coach and Laces BC head coach, Andrew Wade. Wade couldn’t hide his excitement about the addition, stating, "It's a blessing having her here, honestly. I was thrilled when I got the text and seeing her work and just gel with the group, I knew it'd be an easy fit."
Laney-Hamilton’s performance sent so much waves of hype through social media, with many questioning why she wasn’t one of the original 36 players selected for the league. While her mid-season knee surgery during the Olympic break might have played a factor, fans were adamant that she belonged. Adding to the buzz was the timing of her debut, which came just a week after Unrivaled’s successful 1v1 tournament. Many believe she would have been a standout competitor had she participated.
For now, Laney-Hamilton remains in the Unrivaled Relief Player Pool for the remainder of the season. She will continue with Laces BC and is set to take on the undefeated Lunar Owls in an upcoming matchup. With performances like her debut, it’s only a matter of time before more opportunities arise, and perhaps, the conversation around expanding Unrivaled will gain even more traction.
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