Anneli Maley, a 27-year-old Australian player for the New York Liberty, is navigating an unconventional route toward a standard WNBA contract. Undrafted out of college and having spent significant time playing overseas, Maley has had limited WNBA experience, appearing in just four games in 2022 as a hardship player for the Chicago Sky.
This season, Maley is serving as a developmental player for the Liberty, a role that allows her to train with the team and develop her skills. Her opportunity is partly enabled by the league's new collective bargaining agreement, which is creating more pathways for players to earn roster spots. Maley is described as an understudy, ready to step in when opportunities arise.
Maley's professional journey has included stints in China and her native Australia, highlighting a career that has diverged from the typical WNBA trajectory. Her current position with the Liberty represents a significant step in her pursuit of a consistent WNBA career.