
Brazil basketball legend Oscar Schmidt dies at 68
Oscar Schmidt, the legendary Brazilian basketball player, has passed away at 68 after battling a brain tumor.
Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart have re-signed with the New York Liberty on multi-year deals. This historic commitment aims to redefine excellence in basketball for the franchise.
The New York Liberty announced on Friday that Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart have all signed multi-year deals with the team.
âThis is an incredibly historic moment for the New York Liberty franchise,â said Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb in a statement. âReâsigning Breanna, Jonquel, and Sabrina reflects the trust, sacrifice, and shared purpose that define what it means to represent the Liberty, this city, and our fanbase. These three cornerstone players chose to invest in each other and in the longâterm legacy of this organization, a rare commitment that has the chance to redefine the standard of excellence across basketball.â
At USA Basketball camp earlier this month, Ionescu expressed that she wanted to re-sign with the Liberty.
âObviously, Iâm where Iâm supposed to be,â Ionescu said, according to ESPNâs Alexa Philippou. âNever thought anything different, and Iâm so excited to be able to sign and get started. Itâs coming up really quickly, so Iâm excited to get all this behind us and just be able to start our season and get going in New York.â
Since being selected by the Liberty with the No. 1 overall pick out of Oregon in 2020, Ionescu has formed one of the best duos in the league alongside Stewart. Last season, the four-time All-Star averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Despite coming off a career-low 29.9% from 3 last season, Ionescu remains a threat to pull up anytime she is behind the arc.
Jones spent her last three seasons in New York, where she and Stewart formed one of the most imposing front courts for opposing teams. At 6-foot-6, Jones used her length and size to overpower opponents on each side of the ball. Jones averaged 13.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks.
Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart signed multi-year deals with the New York Liberty.
The re-signing is significant as it reflects a commitment to the long-term legacy of the franchise and aims to set a new standard of excellence in basketball.
Last season, Sabrina Ionescu averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.
Sabrina Ionescu expressed excitement about re-signing, stating she feels she is where she is supposed to be and is eager to start the upcoming season.

Oscar Schmidt, the legendary Brazilian basketball player, has passed away at 68 after battling a brain tumor.

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Jones underwent ankle surgery this offseason, after the injury caused her to miss a month early in the season. Before Jones joined the Liberty, she spent her first six seasons with the Connecticut Sun.
Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty reacts during the second half against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on September 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Steph Chambers via Getty Images)
Stewart first revealed to listeners on the âGame Recognize Game w/Stewie & Mylesâ that she expected to re-sign with the Liberty and had no plans to test the open market.
âIâm going to just set the record straight here, I will be staying in New York,â Stewart said. âIâm not planning on taking any free agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent. My family is set up here. Weâre solid here. Iâm going to be back in New York, and thatâs all there is to it.
âGood luck to everybody else in free agency, but Iâm not a part of that.â
Stewart is a co-founder of the offseason 3Ă3 league Unrivaled, alongside Naphessa Collier. Both players are part of the players unionâs executive committee, which negotiated the new CBA that saw significant salary increases.
Stewart joined the Liberty in 2023 after playing her first seven seasons with the Seattle Storm. After two WNBA championships with the Storm, the Syracuse native helped the Liberty win their first-ever title over the Minnesota Lynx in 2024. Stewart has won two WNBA MVPs and two Finals MVPs. Last season, the 31-year-old averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks.