Normally when writing about the New York Liberty I would be raving about Tina Charles. However on the opening game of the season two younger players stepped up.

Each year I choose a rookie to watch, believing that they are going to be a siuperstar. Last year it was Kelsey Plum who started with a high ankle sprain which derailed her entire season. This season I have publically stated that I believe Kia Nurse is going to be one of the best players in the draft. She is certainly going to make other teams regret passing on her in the draft.

If her first regular season game is anything to go by, Nurse is going to be a superstar in this league. With Shavonte Zellous struggling, Katie Smith turned to her rookie. Well, Nurse would end up playing 29 minutes, earning every single one of them with the way she played.

She scored 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field. She was a little down from deep, going 2-of-6 but made up for it on the line by going 5-of-5. Nurse was also able to collect three assists, two rebounds and two steals. If she keeps playing like this it will not be long before she is in the starting lineup.

The other player who really stepped up was Amanda Zahui B who had a career night with 15 points and seven rebounds. While starting power forward Marissa Coleman was struggling, going 2-of-8 from the field, Zahui B went 6-of-10 and provided a great scoring option for the Liberty.

Tina Charles was still a force, her 19 points were a team high. She also did a tremendous defensive job on ChicagoSky center Stefanie Dolson. Ultimately it was not enough for the Liberty as they ended up going down to the Sky 80-76.

Advertisement