Laney Heading to Australia
Jul 20 | Women's Basketball
PERTH, AUSTRALIA -- Betnijah Laney, a former Rutgers All-American and current guard for the WNBA's Chicago Sky, has been signed by the Perth Lynx of the WNBL for the 2015-16 season.
Laney, who is considered to be the highest profile addition to the Lynx's roster, is currently a rookie for WNBA Chicago Sky. While at Rutgers, she was an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press and First Team All-Big Ten selection by both the media and the coaches. She became the 17th Scarlet Knight selected in the WNBA Draft when she was chosen in the second round and 17th overall by the Chicago Sky in April.
Averaging 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the Scarlet Knights as a senior, Laney was ranked 10th nationally in double-doubles. She performed 20 double-doubles during the 2014-15 season, which included eight straight to open up the season. Among Laney's double-double efforts was a 24-point, 24-rebound night against then-No. 6 North Carolina in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Her 24 rebounds versus the Tar Heels are a Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) record - men or women.
The Clayton, Delaware native finished her career with 1,401 career points (14th all-time) and 912 rebounds (sixth all-time). She also joined Sue Wicks (1984-88), Regina Howard (1983-87) and Vicky Picott (1987-91) as the only Scarlet Knights to gather over 1,400 points and 900 rebounds in a career.
"This is a great opportunity for me to improve my game while playing in one of the world's strongest competitions," said Laney in a statement to the Perth Lynx. "I'm excited to be moving to a beautiful part of the world to be a part of a highly professional organisation. I'm looking forward to being a part of the Western Australian community."
"From the first time I watched Laney play I just saw this raw energy, and when launching a new program it's very important to have someone to lead us in that area - so we have the entire group wanting to play as hard as she does," said Perth Lynx coach Andy Stewart. She competes for everything, she is busy off the ball, she works extremely hard on defense and she has good, solid fundamentals, but it was really that energy factor that excited us."
Laney will arrive in Perth in September at the conclusion of the WNBA season.
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