Liberty Stars Stewart, Ionescu Commit to Staying in New York

Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart and four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu will re-sign with the WNBA's Liberty.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:31pm

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Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu both announced they will re-sign with the New York Liberty, ending speculation about their free agency plans. Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP, and Ionescu, a four-time All-Star, have been key players for the Liberty and will continue their careers in New York.

Why it matters

The decisions by Stewart and Ionescu to remain with the Liberty are a major boost for the franchise as it looks to build on its recent success. The duo have been cornerstones of the team and their continued presence will help the Liberty remain a top contender in the WNBA.

The details

Stewart, 31, will be entering her fourth season with the Liberty and tenth WNBA campaign overall. She is a two-time MVP, winning the award with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and with New York in 2023. Ionescu, 28, will be entering her seventh season and has spent her entire career with the Liberty. She was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020 and is a four-time All-Star.

  • Stewart and Ionescu announced their decisions on April 2, 2026.
  • Stewart and Ionescu will re-sign with the Liberty ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

The players

Breanna Stewart

A two-time WNBA MVP who has spent the last three seasons with the New York Liberty. She has won three WNBA championships, two with the Seattle Storm and one with the Liberty.

Sabrina Ionescu

A four-time WNBA All-Star who has played her entire seven-year career with the New York Liberty. She was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020 and helped the Liberty win the WNBA title in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to just set the record straight here: I will be staying in New York. I'm not planning on taking any free agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent. My family is set up here, we're solid here. I'm going to be back in New York and that's all there is to it.”

— Breanna Stewart, Liberty Star

“Obviously I'm where I'm supposed to be. Never thought anything different, and so excited to be able to sign and get started. It's coming up really quickly, so excited to get all this behind us and just be able to start our season and get going in New York.”

— Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty Star

What’s next

The Liberty will now focus on finalizing their roster and preparing for the 2026 WNBA season with Stewart and Ionescu leading the way.

The takeaway

The decisions by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu to re-sign with the New York Liberty solidify the team as a top contender in the WNBA. Their continued presence will help the Liberty build on their recent success and maintain their status as one of the league's premier franchises.