The New York Liberty welcomed head coach Chris DeMarco Wednesday, news that was greeted with enthusiasm from fans — and from three players: Betnijah Laney, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu. And while there is a lot to dig into to learn more about DeMarco, the team's welcome video shared via social media offers pretty important insight into what fans can expect from free agency when it comes to two key players: Stewart and Ionescu.
It's reasonable to assume that Laney, Stewart, and Ionescu wouldn't have participated in the video if they weren't expected (and expecting) to be back on the team's roster in 2026. Laney's inclusion isn't too much of a surprise since New York still owns her rights, but both Stewart and Ionescu will be free agents in 2026 and could decamp to other teams. (To be honest, Stewart's inclusion isn't that surprising, either, as she's made it pretty clear over the years New York is her home.)
In fact, some have wondered if Ionescu would be eyeing a return to the west coast. She played college basketball for Oregon and grew up in the Bay Area, which could make the Golden State Valkyries or WNBA newcomers the Portland Fire attractive teams... but for now, it seems New York is where she's planning to stay put.
Who is Chris DeMarco? Introducing the Liberty's new coach
DeMarco has everything the Liberty repeatedly said they wanted: someone with NBA and Championship experience. DeMarco has coached with the Golden State Warriors for 14 seasons and was part of the group that helped the team earn four championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
"After a thorough search, we could not be more thrilled to welcome Chris DeMarco as our head coach," said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty, in a press release. "Throughout the process, our goal was clear: identify a leader who could elevate our culture, implement elite-level systems, and bring a modern vision for how to guide this franchise forward on the court."
Kolb also said, "Chris is a proven winner whose approach has been shaped by more than a decade inside one of basketball’s most successful dynasties. He has seen firsthand what it takes to build a championship standard, and his clarity, adaptability, and player-development expertise will be invaluable as we strive to deliver the best version of the New York Liberty for our players, organization, and amazing fans."
DeMarco's previous experience also includes a stint as the head coach of the Bahamas Men’s National Team, a position he's occupied since 2019, and he's coached at Basketball Without Borders Americas. His career in the NBA began when he was hired on in Warriors' video and scouting department before he moved on to player development and then was brought in as an assistant coach.