Gotta Get Up!

The New York Liberty are BUILT DIFFERENT this offseason — and Erica L. Ayala and Brian Fleurantin broke it all down on this week's Gotta Get Up, the podcast for New York Liberty fans brought to you by Black Rosie Media.

Satou Sabally is headed to Brooklyn on a multiyear deal, reuniting with former Oregon teammate Sabrina Ionescu and forming one of the most loaded frontcourts in WNBA history alongside Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. 

But how does the elder Sabally sister actually FIT? 
Is the Liberty roster too big? What happens when Stewart and Sabally both need to play the four? A
nd what about the concussion that cost her the 2025 Finals — can we really count on her staying healthy?

We also got into the fan favorites whose statuses are still up in the air:
🗽 Natasha Cloud — Tash is an unrestricted free agent. She expressed interest in staying in New York, but the cap math is getting tight. Does she come back? And was she even the right fit?

🗽 Betnijah Laney-Hamilton — BLH missed ALL of 2025 with a torn meniscus. She's a reserved player — meaning she can ONLY negotiate with the Liberty — and she's been counting down the days on her Instagram. The Brooklyn faithful want her back. So do we. What's the update?

🗽 Marine Johannès — The French fan favorite appeared in every single game in 2025 when everyone else was hurt. She's received a qualifying offer from New York. Is she back? What's her role on a suddenly crowded roster?

Plus: new head coach Chris DeMarco, what this roster means for the 2026 championship chase, and whether the Liberty can finally get past the Aces.
👀 Championship or bust? 

🎙️ Gotta Get Up is the podcast for New York Liberty fans, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Brian Fleurantin, brought to you by Black Rosie Media — credentialed at the table for the WNBA Draft, WNBA Finals, Paris Olympics, and more.

📬 Subscribe to the Women's Basketball Roundup newsletter — twice weekly WBB coverage delivered to your inbox: https://wbb-roundup.beehiiv.com/

00:00 Commissioner fields questions at draft
06:18 Discussing lineup strategies and teaching
13:56 Satu's impact on the team
18:46 Deciding on adjusting playing time
24:26 Sabrina's role in the 2024 season
27:57 Sabrina's improved driving skills
37:05 Discussing player lineup strategies
40:31 Impact of a longer roster
47:51 Managing player minutes and competition
49:54 Focus on flexible, switchable lineups
58:30 Discussing offensive rebound strategies
01:02:04 Discussing Kia's role on the team
01:09:23 Discussing Indiana's defensive needs
01:13:17 Social media and WNBA engagement
01:16:28 Emma Messiman's challenging season in NY
01:21:09 Beck Allen's return and team dynamics
01:30:52 Adjusting to new team dynamics
01:33:49 Discussing Stewie and New York Liberty
01:41:41 WNBA podcast schedule update
01:43:47 Podcast outro and thanks