Liberty pick Rebels’ Marquesha Davis in WNBA Draft

Ole Miss guard part of 'future' for Brooklyn's franchise

April 16, 2024 John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Mississippi guard Marquesha Davis (left) was picked 11th overall in the first round of the WNBA Draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Monday. AP Photo by Adam Hunger

Share this:

Fresh off a season in which they established a new franchise record for wins, grabbed their first Eastern Conference crown in over two decades and nearly pushed Las Vegas to a fifth and decisive game in the WNBA Finals, the New York Liberty actually enhanced their future outlook Monday night.

With the 11th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, hosted by the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the title-hungry Liberty selected Ole Miss guard Marquesha Davis, one of four new players the organization deemed worthy of selecting in their pursuit of the team’s first-ever championship.

“Marquesha is a talented player whose athleticism, length, creation off-the-dribble, and ability to get downhill all grade at the WNBA level, and she has all of the physical tools to develop into an elite perimeter defender,” said New York general manager Jonathan Kolb.

The Liberty, who will open their much-anticipated campaign on May 14 in Washington, D.C., are running it back in 2024.

Current WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart, former MVP Jonquel Jones, All-Star sharp-shooter Sabrina Ionescu, former All-Star Betnijah Laney and future Hall of Fame point guard Courtney Vandersloot all agreed to keep the band together for another stab at the Aces this year.

Adding Davis, as well as forward Esmery Martinez (No. 17 overall) from Arizona, center Jessika Carter (No. 23) from Mississippi State and Southern California forward Kaitlyn Davis (No. 35), might keep the Liberty in the title chase for years to come, according to Kolb.

“Tonight was a success for the future of the New York Liberty,” he noted. “Welcoming Marquesha, Esmery, Jessika, and Kaitlyn to the organization further expands our breadth of young talent for 2024 and beyond as we strategically pursue perennial contention.”

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, who guided New York to 32 regular-season victories and six more in the playoffs before a heartbreaking 70-69 loss to Vegas here in front of a sellout crowd at Downtown’s Barclays Center in Game 4 of the Finals, was also quite pleased with her roster additions.

“We are excited to add this versatile group, both in the immediate and future, with unique skillsets that fit our style of play here in New York,” she added.

The 6-foot Marquesha Davis averaged a team-best 14.0 points and 1.5 steals per contest during her final year with the Rebels. She also pulled down 4.7 rebounds and dished out 1.2 assists.

A native of McGehee, Arkansas, the Southeastern Conference All-First Team pick shot 44.7% from the field for Ole Miss while scoring at least 20 points in eight games during her senior campaign.

At 6-foot-2, Martinez finished off her career with the Wildcats as a graduate student, netting 11.1 points, 6.3 boards, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Martinez thrives on guarding her opponent, as evidenced by her top-10 finish in the Pac-10 in steals per game during each of her four years at Arizona.

“Esmery is an accomplished collegiate player with a defensive-first mentality,” he said. “Her strength, versatility, and anticipation are all pro-level, and we very much look forward to watching her compete in training camp.”

Arizona’s Esmery Martinez (left) was drafted by the Liberty Monday night, giving New York a defensive specialist to complement its stacked roster. AP Photo by Jeff Chiu

Carter was honored with the Gillom Trophy as the state of MIssissippi’s best player last season. She shot an SEC-best 57% from the floor and blocked 1.7 shots per game with her 6-foot-5 frame.

The Georgia native racked up 14.9 points and 9.9 caroms per game last year, giving the Liberty a solid option for inside scoring and rebounding off the bench.

“Jessika is a strong rim protector and rebounder with next-level finishing ability,” Kolb revealed. “We are eager to see her compete against our championship caliber frontcourt.”

Kaitlyn Davis, also arriving here after playing as a graduate student for the Trojans last season, averaged 6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

The 6-2 forward previously played locally at Columbia University, where she earned All-Ivy League First Team honors twice. Davis amassed 21 double-doubles and scored in double figures 66 times as a collegian.

Kolb believes the Norwalk, Connecticut native may need a bit of seasoning before impacting the Liberty’s stacked roster.

“By securing Kaitlyn’s draft rights, she will have the opportunity to continue to develop and compete for a spot on the Liberty as soon as the 2025 season,” he said. “Her athleticism in the frontcourt, dynamic playmaking ability, and rim protection make her an exciting future prospect.”

The Liberty will play their first two games on the road before opening night at Barclays on May 18 vs. Indiana.

First overall pick Caitlin Clark of the Fever is expected to make her New York debut that night following a history-making career at the University of Iowa.

Season ticket memberships and single game tickets for home games at Barclays Center are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

To view additional ticketing options such as group tickets and ticket plans, visit liberty.wnba.com/tickets.

***
In other local pro hoops news, ESPN reported Monday night that the Brooklyn Nets are rumored to be interested in hiring Sacramento Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez as their new head coach.

After firing Jacque Vaughn at the All-Star break, the Nets put their faith in first-year assistant Kevin Ollie, who helped Brooklyn develop some of its younger players down the stretch, like rookies Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson and second-year forward Trendon Watford.

Sacramento Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez is reportedly on the verge of being named the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. AP Photo by Davis Zalubowski

Though Ollie held the interim tag during his tenure, general manger Sean Marks has spent the past month searching for a new leader in the locker room.

The 41-year-old Fernandez was one of dozens of candidates Marks interviewed, according to the report.

Brooklyn went 32-50 last season under Vaughn and Ollie, finishing out of the postseason and play-in tournament for the first time in six years.