Liberty Convert Anneli Maley's Contract to Full Season
Forward Anneli Maley's developmental contract was converted to a full-season deal after Satou Sabally was ruled out for the season with a head injury.
Anneli Maley has been signed to a full-season contract with the New York Liberty, a move that came as a surprise to the forward. Her developmental contract was converted to a full-season deal on September 3, after teammate Satou Sabally was officially ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a head injury. This conversion created an open roster spot for Maley.
Maley initially misunderstood a voicemail from Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb, believing she was being released rather than promoted. "I was like, ‘I’ve been fired,’" Maley recalled. "Then I realized it was quite the opposite. It was like a grieving process, and then I was like, ‘Oh no, wait, I’ve been promoted!’ So it was awesome. I feel very, very blessed and lucky. I’ve been working so hard."
Maley's new contract, signed two days after her 28th birthday, marks a significant achievement after a journey marked by perseverance. She played only two years of college basketball and was not drafted into the WNBA. Her previous WNBA experience included a stint with the Chicago Sky in 2022 as a temporary hardship player, and she had been waived or released seven times prior to this opportunity.
During the Liberty's training camp, Maley made a case for a roster spot, but the team initially opted for a different direction. After a brief period with the Phoenix Mercury, the Liberty brought Maley back as a developmental player. She worked closely with director of basketball strategy Parker Lovett, dedicating significant hours to training both independently and with the practice squad. Teammate Jonquel Jones noted Maley's positive presence, stating, "She’s one of those people that can keep things light when sometimes things can feel a little bit heavy."
Maley has historically prided herself on her defensive and rebounding abilities, but believes her offensive game has seen notable improvement this season. With Maley's promotion, the Liberty have filled their open developmental spot with former Ole Miss wing Madison Scott, who reached out to Maley for advice on the experience.
"I don’t have to lie, I can say: ‘You know what, they really pour into you. They take care of you. They value you as a human, and you will get better,’" Maley said of the Liberty's developmental program. "It’s hard, but it’s rewarding."