Liberty 2023 Player Preview: Jocelyn Willoughby
The New York Liberty are set to embark upon one of the most anticipated seasons in franchise, if not WNBA, history. Fresh off consecutive playoff appearances, the Liberty made several moves that have some observers labeling them a "superteam" that could yield the organization's first championship after over two decades of waiting.
All Knicks will have coverage of the Liberty's quest for WNBA hardware as tip-off looms on Friday night in Washington (7 p.m. ET, WWOR/NBA TV) before the Brooklyn opener against Indiana two days later. With the opening-night roster officially unveiled, AK will feature play-by-player previews leading into the weekend.
Next up is Jocelyn Willoughby ...
Name: Jocelyn Willoughby
Height/Weight: 6-0, 180 lbs.
College: Virginia
Experience: 4th season
The Story So Far
The New York Liberty made a franchise-altering selection in the opening 2020 WNBA Draft ... Sabrina Ionescu went with the top selection out of Oregon.
In defense of Willoughby, the 10th choice acquired in a draft night trade with the Phoenix Mercury, she hasn't really gotten the chance to be a game-changer for New York. Flashes of brilliance emerged in the trying, two-win campaign that was the Bradenton bubble endeavor but she missed the entire 2021 season thanks to a torn Achilles. She worked her way back into 2022's opening night starting lineup but was limited to 11 games thanks to knee issues.
Most of the Liberty's fresh 2020 arrivals (i.e. Megan Walker, Jazmine Jones) are gone, dealt to help build what they have now, so it can hardly be called a wasted effort. New York management appears to like what it sees out of her in a comparatively small sample size to keep her on board for the most exciting portion of their Brooklyn era yet.
They Said It
"Being from New Jersey, this is my hometown team. It means a lot. This is one of the original teams in the league. With the rich history, legacy, and the opportunity, there's a huge opportunity for us to take it to the next level. We all know we want that championship that we've never had. It means a lot and it's a special journey ... I think you have to be selfless ... people are going to have to come out of their selves and be in for the team."-The East Orange native Willoughby on what it means to partake in this Liberty group.
“What I like about (Willoughby) is that I keep saying don’t get too high or too low. She’s one of the players that doesn’t, she knows what she does. She’s a capable offensive player and made some timely threes for us to get some separation, she attends both ends of the floor and she’s a player…she’s impressed me a lot in training camp and I know she’ll get better and better with more time back playing again.”-Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello
Outlook
The fact that Willoughby has lasted another year in New York and wasn't part of the mass exodus of familiar faces shows that the Liberty want to make things work for her and that she has a part to play in this era of hope and hype. While Willoughby has been active in the New York community, it's time to back that aforementioned faith on the floor.
She was on pace to stand in 2021's starting five before the injury and the early stages of last year saw the staff trust her with some of the Liberty's more difficult defensive assignments. No professional athlete should be judged solely by their ability to stay healthy, but a brighter spotlight perhaps lingers on the fourth-year vet after some other well-known names (i.e. DiDi Richards) were let go.
Willoughby's relative knowledge of the New York systems should play in her favor, especially with rookie Nyara Sabally working off some early medical issues of her own. As the Liberty will be working with a roster still getting to know each other, Willoughby's defensive skills should also come in handy.
Previous Previews
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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