Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The New York Liberty 2017 were anchored by Tina Charles, whose scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence made her the team’s primary force on both ends of the floor. Sugar Rodgers provided consistent perimeter scoring, while Epiphanny Prince and Bria Hartley shared key playmaking responsibilities. The Liberty combined strong rebounding and disciplined defense with balanced offensive contributions, though inconsistent shooting efficiency limited their overall scoring output.
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) | 32.2 | High (1.2) | 19.7 | 9.4 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 86.33 | Charles remained the Liberty’s offensive centerpiece, working as a high-volume interior scorer who also stretched defenses with midrange and occasional three-point shooting. Her rebounding and passing from the post allowed New York to build much of its half-court offense around her presence. | All-Star (2017) |
| Epiphanny Prince | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.8 | Medium (1.1) | 12.0 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 44.77 | Prince provided scoring punch as a versatile guard who could attack off movement and create shots from the perimeter. Her defensive activity and ability to handle secondary playmaking duties gave New York another reliable option alongside Charles. | None |
| Shavonte Zellous | Starter/Star (1.1) | 29.1 | Medium (1.1) | 11.7 | 4.0 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 43.82 | Zellous filled a major two-way wing role, combining physical defense with efficient attacking around the basket. Her veteran approach helped stabilize lineups, particularly when the Liberty needed another ball-handler who could make plays without dominating possessions. | None |
| Sugar Rodgers | Key Contributor (1.05) | 25.6 | Medium (1.1) | 10.5 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 37.80 | Rodgers operated as New York’s primary perimeter spacer, taking a large share of outside attempts while drawing defensive attention away from Charles. Although her shooting fluctuated, her willingness to create gravity and defend multiple positions remained valuable. | None |
| Kiah Stokes | Key Contributor (1.05) | 19.6 | Low (1.0) | 4.8 | 6.3 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 28.35 | Stokes continued to anchor the defensive side of the frontcourt through rim protection and rebounding. Her offensive responsibilities stayed limited, but coaches valued her ability to cover space, protect the paint, and clean up possessions. | None |
| Bria Hartley | Key Contributor (1.05) | 21.4 | Medium (1.1) | 7.8 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 31.19 | Hartley gave New York a developing guard presence with enough shooting range to keep defenses honest. Her role often involved secondary creation, spacing, and attacking smaller defenders rather than carrying a primary scoring burden. | None |
| Kia Vaughn | Key Contributor (1.05) | 19.6 | Low (1.0) | 5.8 | 4.9 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 25.20 | Vaughn provided steady interior minutes as a physical reserve center who finished efficiently around the rim. Her value came from screening, rebounding position, and giving the Liberty another reliable big alongside Charles and Stokes. | None |
| Brittany Boyd | Bench (1.0) | 16.0 | Medium (1.1) | 13.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 46.20 | Boyd showed her attacking ability in a brief sample, bringing speed and pressure on the perimeter. Her downhill style gave New York a different offensive rhythm, though injuries limited her availability and prevented a larger role. | None |
| Lindsay Allen | Bench (1.0) | 13.4 | Low (1.0) | 1.9 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 12.40 | Allen served as a reserve point guard focused on organization and ball security. Her rookie season was built around learning tempo management and providing steady minutes rather than aggressive scoring. | None |
| Rebecca Allen | Bench (1.0) | 9.2 | Low (1.0) | 2.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 12.20 | Rebecca Allen offered perimeter size and developing shooting ability in limited opportunities. Her role was mainly situational, with the Liberty using her as a spacing option and defensive wing depth. | None |
| Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe | Bench (1.0) | 9.2 | Low (1.0) | 3.7 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 12.00 | Raincock-Ekunwe provided energy minutes as an athletic forward capable of finishing plays and competing physically. Her limited role centered on hustle, rebounding effort, and bringing intensity off the bench. | None |
| Amanda Zahui B. | Bench (1.0) | 5.3 | Low (1.0) | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 8.00 | Zahui B. remained a developmental frontcourt piece with shooting range and size. Her minutes were limited, but her skill set gave New York an option for a more spread-out offensive look. | None |
| Cierra Burdick | Bench (1.0) | 6.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 8.60 | Burdick contributed as a versatile reserve forward who could defend multiple positions and make simple offensive reads. Her opportunities were limited, but her flexibility helped fill lineup gaps. | None |
| Ameryst Alston | Bench (1.0) | 1.5 | Low (1.0) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 5.00 | Alston saw minimal action and remained a depth guard option. Her limited minutes provided little opportunity to establish a consistent role within the rotation. | None |
| Chelsea Hopkins | Bench (1.0) | 1.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.00 | Hopkins appeared briefly and did not receive enough playing time to impact the regular rotation. | None |
| Totals | — | — | — | 99.1 | 43.6 | 20.9 | 15.7 | — | The Liberty’s 2017 regular season identity centered on Tina Charles’ interior scoring and rebounding, supported by a collection of veteran guards and defensive-minded role players. New York relied on Charles’ usage, perimeter spacing from wings like Rodgers and Prince, and a rotating frontcourt built around size and rim protection. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tina Charles | Starter/Star (1.1) | 36.0 | High (1.2) | 18.0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 66.00 | Charles remained New York’s offensive anchor, carrying the interior scoring load while also stretching the floor with occasional perimeter shooting. In this playoff game, the Liberty leaned on her ability to create difficult shots against set defenses and absorb heavy usage in the half court. | All-Star (2017) |
| Bria Hartley | Key Contributor (1.05) | 29.0 | Medium (1.1) | 15.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 48.51 | Hartley provided aggressive secondary creation, attacking gaps and making plays as a combo guard. Her playoff role expanded because New York needed another ball-handler who could pressure defenses, though turnovers showed the risk that came with her increased responsibility. | None |
| Epiphanny Prince | Key Contributor (1.05) | 35.0 | Medium (1.1) | 12.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 42.00 | Prince brought veteran perimeter scoring and defensive toughness, taking on a major wing workload in the postseason. Her ability to guard opposing guards while spacing the floor gave the Liberty another dependable option next to Charles. | None |
| Sugar Rodgers | Key Contributor (1.05) | 18.0 | Medium (1.1) | 8.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 31.19 | Rodgers filled a supporting wing role focused on shooting, ball movement, and defensive activity. Even without a primary scoring role, her willingness to take perimeter shots helped maintain spacing around New York’s interior offense. | None |
| Shavonte Zellous | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.0 | Low (1.0) | 4.0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 26.40 | Zellous contributed more through physical defense and rebounding effort than scoring in this playoff outing. Her veteran presence allowed New York to keep a strong perimeter defender on the floor while managing difficult matchups. | None |
| Kiah Stokes | Key Contributor (1.05) | 16.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 12.60 | Stokes provided interior defense and rim protection in a limited role, staying focused on contesting shots and cleaning up missed opportunities. Her playoff value came from defensive positioning rather than offensive involvement. | None |
| Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe | Bench (1.0) | 11.0 | Low (1.0) | 6.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14.00 | Raincock-Ekunwe made the most of limited minutes by bringing energy and finishing efficiently around the basket. Her role was primarily as an athletic reserve capable of changing the pace when inserted into the rotation. | None |
| Kia Vaughn | Key Contributor (1.05) | 15.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.50 | Vaughn supplied interior size and rebounding presence without receiving many offensive opportunities. Her playoff minutes reflected a frontcourt role built around screens, defense, and physical matchups. | None |
| Rebecca Allen | Bench (1.0) | 7.0 | Low (1.0) | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 8.00 | Allen provided a brief perimeter spark, converting a three-pointer while also showing defensive length. Her postseason role remained limited, but her shooting potential gave New York another spacing option. | None |
| Lindsay Allen | Bench (1.0) | 5.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 8.00 | Allen handled reserve point guard duties in a short playoff stint, focusing on organization and creating opportunities for teammates. Her role was centered on maintaining offensive flow rather than scoring. | None |
| Amanda Zahui B. | Bench (1.0) | 1.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.00 | Zahui B. received only brief postseason action and did not have enough time to impact the game. Her development role remained focused on providing frontcourt depth and shooting potential. | None |
| Totals | — | — | — | 68.0 | 28.0 | 15.0 | 6.0 | — | New York’s playoff rotation relied heavily on Tina Charles as the primary offensive hub, with Bria Hartley and Epiphanny Prince providing secondary creation. The team’s approach emphasized veteran guard play, defensive versatility, and frontcourt size, but scoring responsibilities remained concentrated among a few core contributors. | Team Awards: None |