The New York Liberty announced, in a press release, that guard Shoni Schimmel plans to sit out the 2017 WNBA season.
Reports of Schimmel’s absence from Liberty training camp first began to surface around the latter part of last month. Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer first addressed the issue briefly in comments to the Associated Press.
I’m not going to speak for her. She’s on the roster, she’s under contract. It’s her choice.
–Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer
Schimmel attributed her absence in the Liberty press release as due to “personal issues” and that she is looking ahead to rejoining the team once again next year.
Shoni will continue to have the full support of the New York Liberty. We look forward to continuing to work with Shoni during her time away from the game.
–Liberty president Isaiah Thomas
Schimmel was a 2014 WNBA Draftee—the eighth overall pick to the Atlanta Dream and spent her first two seasons as a professional with Atlanta. She first joined the Liberty last season and is a two-time All-Star, including being named the MVP of the 2014 All-Star Game in Phoenix.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
