Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The New York Liberty 2016 relied on Tina Charles as their dominant offensive and defensive force, with her leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and interior play. Sugar Rodgers supplied complementary perimeter scoring, while Brittany Boyd and Epiphanny Prince handled much of the playmaking. New York’s statistical profile reflected strong rebounding, efficient interior offense, and solid team defense, though inconsistent three-point shooting limited its overall offensive balance.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Tina Charles Starter/Star (1.1) 33.7 High (1.2) 21.5 9.9 3.8 1.6 96.62 The Liberty offense revolved around Charles’ interior scoring and face-up ability, with her carrying a heavy shot load while also acting as a secondary playmaker from the high post. Her combination of power finishing, rebounding presence, and improved perimeter touch made her one of the league’s toughest matchups. All-Star (2016); All-WNBA Second Team (2016)
Sugar Rodgers Starter/Star (1.1) 30.5 High (1.2) 14.5 3.7 2.4 1.6 58.61 Rodgers emerged as a major perimeter weapon for New York, stretching defenses with confident three-point shooting while taking on difficult wing assignments. Her ability to create spacing alongside Charles gave the Liberty a more balanced attack, and her defensive activity added value beyond scoring. All-Star (2016)
Kiah Stokes Key Contributor (1.05) 24.1 Low (1.0) 6.9 7.4 0.7 2.1 35.91 Stokes provided the defensive backbone of the frontcourt through rim protection, rebounding, and disciplined positioning. Writers covering the Liberty often highlighted her ability to erase mistakes around the basket, while her limited offensive role centered on screens, put-backs, and finishing opportunities. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2015)
Shavonte Zellous Key Contributor (1.05) 23.3 Medium (1.1) 8.8 2.5 2.2 1.1 34.32 Zellous supplied veteran scoring versatility as a secondary guard who could attack closeouts and create offense when possessions broke down. Her experience helped stabilize lineups, particularly with her ability to pressure defenses and make plays without needing a high volume of touches. None
Tanisha Wright Key Contributor (1.05) 23.0 Low (1.0) 6.7 2.3 3.6 1.1 28.35 Wright remained a steady floor general whose value came from defensive leadership, ball control, and organizing the offense. Her role was less about scoring and more about directing younger teammates, managing pace, and handling difficult perimeter defensive assignments. None
Brittany Boyd Key Contributor (1.05) 19.7 Medium (1.1) 6.5 2.5 3.6 1.7 28.64 Boyd brought speed and attacking instincts off the dribble, giving New York a change-of-pace guard capable of collapsing defenses. Her aggressive style created opportunities for teammates, though turnovers and inconsistent shooting remained areas the Liberty worked through. None
Swin Cash Key Contributor (1.05) 19.5 Low (1.0) 5.3 3.4 1.4 1.2 23.94 Cash served as a veteran stabilizer who contributed through positioning, leadership, and smart decision-making rather than volume production. Her ability to defend multiple forward spots and make timely plays helped maintain structure within the rotation. None
Carolyn Swords Key Contributor (1.05) 17.5 Low (1.0) 5.2 4.6 0.7 0.8 23.10 Swords gave New York a reliable interior presence as a traditional center who finished efficiently around the rim and battled for rebounds. Her role was built around screens, post positioning, and providing physicality when Charles moved into different offensive actions. None
Rebecca Allen Bench (1.0) 13.3 Low (1.0) 5.7 1.7 0.5 0.9 17.60 Allen showed promise as a young perimeter shooter capable of spacing the floor and contributing in limited minutes. Her efficiency from three-point range gave the Liberty another floor-spacing option, although her role remained primarily situational. None
Epiphanny Prince Bench (1.0) 13.8 Medium (1.1) 5.2 1.5 0.7 0.3 16.94 Prince’s season was interrupted by limited availability, but her scoring reputation came from shot creation and perimeter confidence. When on the floor, she provided another guard capable of creating offense late in possessions. None
Amanda Zahui B. Bench (1.0) 11.3 Low (1.0) 5.0 3.2 0.4 1.0 19.20 Zahui B. showed flashes of interior scoring and defensive instincts as a developing reserve. Her combination of size and shooting range gave New York an intriguing frontcourt option, though consistency and minutes were still developing. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016)
Lindsey Harding Bench (1.0) 22.8 Low (1.0) 3.6 2.8 3.6 0.2 20.40 Harding provided veteran ball-handling and defensive experience during a brief stint with the Liberty. Her impact came mostly through organizing possessions and creating stability rather than offensive production. None
Shoni Schimmel Bench (1.0) 4.5 Low (1.0) 2.1 0.5 0.6 0.3 7.00 Schimmel’s limited minutes reflected a reduced role, but she remained known for her creativity with the ball and confidence as a perimeter shooter. Her ability to generate offense in bursts was her main contribution. All-Star (2014); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2014)
Adut Bulgak Bench (1.0) 3.3 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 6.60 Bulgak saw minimal court time as a developmental frontcourt player learning the pace and physical demands of the league. Her college reputation centered on rebounding and interior scoring, but opportunities were limited during this season. None
Ameryst Alston Bench (1.0) 0.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Alston appeared briefly and did not receive enough playing time to establish a consistent role. Her presence was primarily as roster depth during the season. None
Totals — — — 93.8 47.3 23.2 14.0 — New York relied heavily on Tina Charles’ interior dominance and Sugar Rodgers’ perimeter shooting, while the supporting cast supplied defensive versatility, veteran leadership, and ball movement. The roster’s identity came from a strong frontcourt anchor, multiple capable defenders, and a balanced rotation built around Charles’ offensive workload. Team Awards: None

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Tanisha Wright Key Contributor (1.05) 28.0 Medium (1.1) 21.0 1.0 5.0 0.0 62.37 Wright operated as a veteran lead guard who controlled the offense through decision-making and timely scoring. Her playoff performance showed the value of an experienced ball-handler, attacking efficiently while creating opportunities for teammates in a pressure-filled elimination setting. None
Tina Charles Starter/Star (1.1) 36.0 High (1.2) 19.0 9.0 5.0 1.0 74.80 Charles remained the offensive centerpiece, combining interior scoring with high-post playmaking and rebounding responsibility. In the playoff matchup, she carried a major workload on both ends, giving New York a reliable half-court option against tighter postseason defenses. All-Star (2016); All-WNBA Second Team (2016)
Carolyn Swords Key Contributor (1.05) 27.0 Low (1.0) 14.0 3.0 0.0 1.0 37.80 Swords provided a strong interior scoring presence as a physical backup center, using screens, cuts, and efficient finishing around the rim. Her playoff minutes reflected the Liberty’s need for size and a dependable interior matchup option alongside Charles. None
Epiphanny Prince Bench (1.0) 17.0 Medium (1.1) 12.0 3.0 3.0 0.0 39.60 Prince supplied instant offense from the perimeter, spacing the floor with confident shooting while also handling secondary creation duties. Her playoff role was built around adding scoring bursts and another ball-handler when New York needed offensive flexibility. None
Sugar Rodgers Starter/Star (1.1) 24.0 Medium (1.1) 11.0 2.0 3.0 0.0 35.64 Rodgers served as a two-way wing option, providing perimeter scoring and defensive energy while sharing creation duties. Her playoff usage reflected her importance as a floor spacer who could punish defenses focused on slowing Charles. All-Star (2016)
Shavonte Zellous Key Contributor (1.05) 28.0 Low (1.0) 10.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 31.50 Zellous brought veteran wing versatility, attacking gaps and providing a steady offensive option without dominating possessions. Her playoff role centered on maintaining balance, defending multiple positions, and making secondary plays within the rotation. None
Brittany Boyd Bench (1.0) 12.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 14.00 Boyd gave New York athleticism and defensive pressure in limited postseason minutes. Her aggressive style as a young guard created energy, though the playoff rotation reduced opportunities for her downhill attacking game. None
Kiah Stokes Key Contributor (1.05) 10.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 2.0 0.0 1.0 12.60 Stokes’ playoff contribution came primarily through defensive positioning and rim protection rather than offensive touches. Her ability to alter shots and provide interior length remained a key reason she earned frontcourt minutes. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2015)
Amanda Zahui B. Bench (1.0) 6.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 8.00 Zahui B. provided brief frontcourt minutes as a developing reserve with size and shooting potential. Her playoff role was limited, but her skill set offered spacing possibilities and rebounding depth behind the Liberty’s main interior options. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016)
Swin Cash Key Contributor (1.05) 12.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.10 Cash’s playoff role focused on veteran leadership, defensive communication, and lineup stability rather than scoring volume. Her experience helped provide composure during postseason possessions where execution mattered most. None
Totals — — — 94.0 28.0 19.0 5.0 — New York’s playoff attack leaned heavily on Tina Charles’ inside-out offensive role and veteran guard play from Tanisha Wright, while the rotation mixed scoring wings, defensive specialists, and experienced frontcourt depth. The team’s postseason identity was built around half-court execution and versatile lineup combinations. Team Awards: None