FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 8, 2026

MYSTICS CLAIM BETNIJAH LANEY-HAMILTON OFF WAIVERS  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Mystics have claimed guard/forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (buh-NYE-juh) off waivers, the team announced today. 

The 2024 WNBA champion owns career averages of 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 251 games (160 starts) over 10 seasons with the New York Liberty (2021-24, 2026), Atlanta Dream (2020), Indiana Fever (2019), Connecticut Sun (2018), and Chicago Sky (2015-16).

Laney-Hamilton spent the beginning of the 2026 season with the New York Liberty, where she appeared in 17 games (five starts). In 2020, Laney-Hamilton was named the WNBA Most Improved Player after posting career-high averages of 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 48.1% from the field and a career-best 40.5% from the three-point line. She has made the postseason five times (26 games, 25 starts), including starting all 11 games during New York's 2024 WNBA Championship run. In that 2024 title chase, Laney-Hamilton helped New York to their first win in the Finals series vs. the Minnesota Lynx with 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting on the floor, including 4 of 6 from deep. She owns postseason career averages of 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

A native of Clayton, Delaware, Laney-Hamilton was selected 17th overall in the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky after a four-year career at Rutgers University. She went on to receive WNBA All-Defensive Team Honors in 2020 and 2023 while also being named an All-Star in 2021.

In a subsequent move, the Washington Mystics have waived guard Rori Harmon.