Raquel Carrera’s delayed arrival to the WNBA comes at the right time for the Liberty

Liberty was playing a long game with Spanish forward/center Raquel Carrera.

But Carrera felt the time was right for her to join the WNBA this season.

“I think now is a good time for me because I’m coming off an injury two years ago from my ACL, so now I feel good,” Carrera said after training on Saturday. “Now, I think this is the time, and I’m very happy to be here.”

The Dream picked Carrera at No. 19 overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft. He has lived overseas refining his game ever since.

The Liberty eventually acquired Carrera’s rights in 2022. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament in March 2024, which may have contributed to her delayed arrival in the WNBA.

But with Carrera playing his best basketball yet and coming off a Spanish League championship with Valencia, he has high expectations for the Freedom this season.

“I really think we have a good team to win a championship,” said Carrera, who signed a one-year, $270,000 contract with the Liberty last month. “So I’m really excited about it.”

Carrera joined the Liberty for practice on Saturday and is set to make her WNBA debut on Sunday against the Dallas Wings.

His addition, however, strengthens the Liberty’s frontcourt, which was a problem last season. He can play power forward or center. His size, length, flexibility and ability to stretch the floor make him a perfect fit for head coach Chris DeMarco’s scheme.

“[She’s] coming out of the tournament, he’s obviously in good shape, he’s been playing,” said DeMarco.

Anneli Maley is back.

The Aussie forward who became an instant favorite among Liberty fans during pre-season has signed a development player contract with the franchise, the club announced on Saturday.

Maley will replace fellow Aussie Alex Fowler, who was waived by the Liberty on Friday.

Maley’s relentless rebounding and confidence shined during the Liberty’s training camp. He tallied 26 points, 13 rebounds and four assists while coming off the bench in the team’s two preseason games.

Maley was released before the start of the season and signed a development contract with Mercury.

However, earlier this week, Maley’s time with Phoenix came to an end.

Maley said he was happy to be back in New York.

“I feel really lucky because to be honest, I get a lot of different things,” said Maley. “That’s the only way I can look at it, it’s hard to let me be picked up and let me be picked up, but what else can I do?

“I’m trying hard to work my way into the lineup, and I’ll take withdrawals and takedowns and move and pitch 10 times if it means I can get my foot in the door somewhere, but it’s hard. It’s hard on your mental health; it’s hard on your physical health.”