New York Liberty announce two players will miss 2025 WNBA season

The New York Liberty announced on Monday that two training camp signees, Raquel Carrera and Seehia Rirad, are out for the 2025 due to a personal decision.

Raquel Carrera is a Spanish power forward who currently plays for the Valencia Basket of the Liga Femenina in Spain. She was drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the 15th pick in 2021. Her draft rights were subsequently traded to the Liberty. She has yet to play in the WNBA despite being the highest Spanish player ever picked in a WNBA Draft.

Seehia Rirad is a French power forward who most recently played at Sedis Cadi La Seau in Spain. She posted on Instagram that she had undergone surgery three days ago.

The Liberty currently have 14 players under contract at training camp

The Liberty have 8 returning players under contract from last season: Nyara Sabally, Jaylyn Sherrod, Leonie Fiebich, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Kennedy Burke, Kaitlyn Davis, Marquesha Davis, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.

This winter, they acquired Natasha Cloud via trade, and signed Isabelle Harrison and Marine Johannes. Johannes last played for the Liberty in 2023, but sat out the 2024 season to play with her French national team.

Esmery Martinez and Rebekah Gardner will also compete for roster spots at training camp. French center Adja Kane was selected 38th overall in the 2025 draft, but will stay overseas for the next few years.

“As an organization, we pride ourselves on embracing the global nature of the game and are proactive in assembling a deep group of international talent,” said Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb. “We had a unique opportunity tonight to select Adja Kane, a talented young player from a strong program in France, who will continue to develop overseas for the next few years with our support from afar.”

Of the 14 players they have under contract, 12 will make the Liberty’s final roster.

One thing that could come into play is Laney-Hamilton’s health status; the veteran forward is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season with a meniscus injury she suffered in the offseason.