Liberty Waives Marquesha Davis

The New York Liberty waived guard Marquesha Davis prior to their Sunday game against the Atlanta Dream, ending her tenure with the team after just over a season. Head coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged Davis didn't get many playing opportunities but improved significantly and believes she will get another opportunity elsewhere.

Davis, the Liberty's most recent first-round pick (11th overall in 2024 out of Mississippi), struggled to secure a consistent role. She played only 111 total minutes across 29 appearances over two seasons, though she finished on a positive note, registering a plus-14 rating in her final two games.

Her release coincides with the WNBA's contract guarantee deadline, where players remaining on rosters past 5 p.m. ET on Sunday would have their 2025 salaries fully guaranteed. This move creates just over $35,000 in salary cap space for the Liberty, representing a little more than half of Davis's 2025 salary. There remains a possibility Davis could return to New York on a seven-day contract later in the season.

Davis was one of several players waived across the WNBA this weekend, including fellow 2024 first-round pick Alissa Pilli (Minnesota), veterans Mercedes Russell (Los Angeles) and Stephanie Talbot (Golden State), and Connecticut's Jaelyn Brown and Haley Peters.

While Coach Brondello deferred transactional details to GM Jonathan Kolb, she confirmed the Liberty is actively monitoring the waiver wire. A key prospect of interest is Emma Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP and former teammate of Natasha Cloud, who recently performed well for Belgium in the EuroBasket women's competition.