The Liberty’s former Rookie of the Year is having a bounce-back season, and it only took a career pivot, a national championship, and some consistency to get there.
Michaela Onyenwere, a Mystics forward, was drafted as the sixth overall pick by New York in 2021 and went on to claim the award after averaging 8.6 points across 32 games, including 29 starts. Nevertheless, her rookie momentum didn’t carry into the following season, where she only started one game and averaged half the amount of points.
The Liberty ended up letting her go, and Onyenwere bounced around the league until the UCLA women’s basketball head coach called her former player to offer an assistant coach position for the 2025-26 team.
“If you would have asked me a year ago if I would be coaching, I would say there’s absolutely no way,” Onyenwere told The Post ahead of Friday’s game against the Liberty at Barclays Center. “It was just a great opportunity. I love UCLA down. I would pick it over and over again.”
At just 26, Onyenwere brought professional knowledge to the team and helped push the Bruins to their first national championship while earning $205,000 total at the university, per Front Office Sports, which is more than she previously earned in the WNBA.
Under the league’s new CBA, Onyenwere signed a two-year deal worth over $1.4 million with the Mystics and became teammates with her former player, Lauren Betts.
Onyenwere came to Washington simply for an opportunity to contribute consistently, unlike in her other league years. It has seemingly made the difference.
Going into Friday, the forward was averaging a career-high 12.7 points on a 54 percent clip from the field across nine games, all of which she has started.
“I’m really grateful for my journey but it would be nice to have something consistent,” she said. “I think that’s all just the consistency of knowing what my coaches want from me, what my teammates expect from me, and just having confidence in it.”
The Colorado native said coming back to New York will “always be home.”
Yet, after several years since her rookie debut, Friday will just be “another game” for her.
The Liberty, who clinched their spot in the Commissioner’s Cup final Sunday, learned Thursday they will host the Aces for the title game on June 30 at Barclays Center.
“It means a lot to have that opportunity to have a chance at a trophy in the middle of the season in front of our fans,” head coach Chris DeMarco said.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (left knee management) was out for Friday’s game after she received an injection in her surgically repaired left knee this week. Coach Chris DeMarco wanted to give her “one more day” and hoped she will play on the upcoming West Coast road trip.
