The New York Liberty are set to add another rookie to their proceedings, as Megan Walker has reported to Bradenton.
New York Liberty rookie Megan Walker is set to join her New York Liberty teammates at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for the 2020 WNBA season. The University of Connecticut alumna tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the team’s departure but a pair of negative tests this week has allowed her to partake.
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb confirmed that Walker had arrived during remote press availability on Thursday afternoon.
“Right now, she’s in the league’s quarantine protocol,” Kolb said via Zoom. “Assuming that she tests negative throughout timeline, we expect her to be with us early next week.”
Walker was the Liberty’s second pick in the WNBA Draft. She was an early entry into the pros after averaging 19.7 points and 8.4 rebounds in her junior season. The Richmond, Virginia native earned the American Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year Award for her efforts. Previous winners include WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collie, last season’s Rookie of the Year. The Liberty chose her with the ninth overall pick in April.
Head coach Walt Hopkins said that Walker has remained in contact with both the coaching staff and her teammates throughout the process.
“We’ll have these next few days to talk to her as much as possible,” Hopkins said. “When I talked to her last night, she didn’t sound out of sorts with anything. She was right there with us. She has watched practices, the ones we have recorded. She’s gotten to watch the scrimmages and seems to have a really good handle on what we’re trying to do.”
Walker is one of seven rookies on the current Liberty roster. The list is headlined by top overall pick Sabrina Ionescu, who is joined by fellow draftees Jazmine Jones, Kylee Shook, and Leaonna Odom. Jocelyn Willoughby was added through a draft-night trade with Phoenix while Joyner Holmes was signed after veteran Rebecca Allen opted out of the 2020 season.
The Liberty will officially tip off the WNBA’s Floridian endeavors on Saturday afternoon against the Seattle Storm (12 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags