Long Islander Bria Hartley aims for a WNBA return

At 32, Bria Hartley says there is still much pro basketball left in her. After two ACL tears, the last in July 2022, took her away for a while, she is doing her utmost to show she is once again WNBA ready. The Long Island native is currently in Nashville honing her moves with Athletes Unlimited (AU).

“Getting back with a team was kind of rough, especially off of a second ACL,” said Hartley, a first-round pick in 2014 WNBA Draft after two NCAA Championships with University of Connecticut. “Last year, I was in camp with the Las Vegas Aces and ended up getting cut, but I played overseas last year … Getting on a team in the W has been the goal ever since I got injured.”

Her love of basketball remains strong, and she wants to continue her professional career. She enjoyed her time overseas and hopes to feel that rush in the WNBA.

“Anytime you go through adversity in life, you have what motivates you,” said Hartley, who played with the New York Liberty from 2017–19. “Obviously, being an example for my son. When you have a goal and a dream in your heart, you go after it.”

Hartley’s son, Bryson, 8, is not with her in Nashville, but she’s looking forward to having him along this summer. He likes basketball, but his sport of choice is currently soccer. She envisions him on the hardwood in due time. “He has some size; he’s super athletic,” she said. “I was a three-sport athlete; soccer was my first sport. I’m a big advocate for kids playing multiple sports.”

The basketball community continues to fuel Hartley. She enjoys being part of a team, and she still loves competing. Even the grind, the day-to-day process of being a professional athlete is inspiring, especially after an injury.

“I’m all about having a growth mindset — growing as a player, dealing with adversity, learning to be dedicated to something, being disciplined — all those values come out for me with basketball, especially the older I get,” said Hartley. “It taught me a lot of valuable lessons about life and it’s helped me become a better person.”

AU is providing the opportunity to play in the U.S. and compete against other WNBA players, past and present, which elevates her game. The league has a unique format in which players amass individual points. After three games, Hartley is in fifth place on the leaderboard.

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