Call it her parents’ influence or a love for the sport—Betnijah Laney-Hamilton began playing basketball at the age of 10. With a mother who had played the game competitively, she grew up surrounded not just by the sport itself but also by the stories that came with it. From there, it was Betnijah’s own hard work, perseverance, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of greatness that earned her multiple accolades.
Selected in the 2015 WNBA Draft, Laney bounced around the league early in her career and was constantly on the move. Her 2016 season was cut short due to a torn ACL, but she returned stronger, showcasing remarkable resilience. The Atlanta Dream gave her career a major boost when she was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Team and honored as the league’s Most Improved Player after averaging 17.2 points per game—more than her scoring average from her first four professional seasons combined.
Later, she signed with New York as a free agent, and in 2024, she won the WNBA title with the team. Betnijah became a starter for the Liberty and developed into a star player.
Where is Betnijah Laney Hamilton from, and What is Betnijah Laney Hamilton’s Nationality?
Betnijah was born on October 29, 1993, in Philadelphia, and her nationality is American. She attended Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Delaware. This also marked the start of her basketball journey, where Betnijah accomplished multiple accolades with her strong game performances.
She averaged 23.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 10 rebounds during her senior year. The defensively strong combo guard also registered 4.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, earning her McDonald’s All-American recognition. She later played her college basketball at Rutgers under C. Vivian Stringer.
un 25, 2024; Belmont Park, New York, USA; New York Liberty guards Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44), Sabrina Ionescu (20), forwards Leonie Fiebich (13), Breanna Stewart (30) and center Jonquel Jones (35) at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Laney-Hamilton played 129 games, starting 107, and averaged 10.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game over four seasons.
What is Betnijah Laney Hamilton’s ethnicity?
There is no information available about Betnijah’s ethnicity. The Liberty Star has also not publicly mentioned anything about the same. However, she is closely tied to the African-American community. She appeared in a Facebook video shared by the Chicago Sky spotlighting Bessie Coleman, an African American legend, and shared her thoughts on Coleman’s legacy. Her roots also trace back to Philadelphia, a city rich in African American culture and history
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s mother, Yolanda Laney, was also a basketball player, but her ethnicity information is also not available.
Is Betnijah Laney Hamilton Christian?
Betnijah Laney Hamilton has mostly maintained a private stance on this matter. However, she believes in faith and God and also follows the Bible. In an interview for the NY Times, Betnijah Laney Hamilton spoke about her normal Sunday routine, which highlights her belief.
“On a Sunday, I wake up anywhere from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. The first thing I do is go over my devotional through the Bible app.” She said, “I take a few minutes to meditate and pray. The app gives you a verse of the day and different prompts and questions that you can think about.”
She also once posted a picture with her husband, Jordan Hamilton, on Instagram, writing: “A few things these past two years have taught me: 1. Keep God at the center of your marriage 2. Praying together is essential”. Both of them have spoken publicly about the importance of faith in their marriage.
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