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Added by Darius Amos on June 2, 2011.
It’s 6:23 p.m. Thursday, June 2, and a quick check of the Liberty official homepage shows the roster has 11 players, including Janel McCarville. The WNBA’s official team preview that was posted this week even lists McCarville as New York’s anticipated starting center.
Oopsie.
When the Libs’ final, final, final roster was released to the media via email today at 5:37 p.m., there were 11 names, only McCarville’s wasn’t on it. That’s correct. McCarville, who’s played six seasons in the league, is not on this year’s team.
Sidney Spencer’s name currently does not appear on the team roster online, but she’s on the squad. Someone probably overlooked Spencer, a fan favorite, when the website was last updated.
But the story here is McCarville. The 6-2 post player started all 34 games for the Liberty last season, averaging 8.8 points in a little more than 28 minutes. Of her six seasons in the WNBA, she spent the past four in New York.
She had a large following in the area, which is why her absence from the team is perplexing. But according to team officials, McCarville was a no-show at training camp.
John Whisenant, Liberty head coach and general manager, said McCarville won’t be suiting up for the team at all, as a result of her skipping the preseason.
“As per WNBA rules, Janel McCarville has been suspended from the Liberty for the remainder of the season following her failure to report to the team for training camp,” Whisenant said. “We continue to believe that this current group of players is ready to compete for a WNBA championship this season.”
A peek at McCarville’s official Twitter account and her fan-maintained account does not reveal specific reasons explaining her absence. Other accounts associated with the Liberty also offer no indication as to why McCarville never showed up to camp.
McCarville spent much of the offseason playing basketball in Italy. She documented her time there on Twitter prior to arriving back in the states. Her last post was made on June 13.
With McCarville out, the center position will be filled by Plenette Pierson, Kia Vaughn and recent signee Quanitra Hollingsworth.
About Darius Amos
Natalie
June 2, 2011 at 10:39 pm
In what universe is Sidney Spencer a “fan favorite?” NYC ain’t Tennessee. In Liberty-fan-world, Sidney (a second-round pick her rookie year) represents a traded first-round draft pick that turned into a #1 pick = Tina Charles. Meanwhile, Spencer has never been a key contributor for the Liberty and doesn’t play too many minutes per game. As for Janel, an explanation as to WHY she didn’t show up in camp would be appreciated by her fans. And her last twitter post was *MAY* 13.
Sandee
June 3, 2011 at 9:47 am
Not only is Sydney Spencer NOT a fan favorite, but she insulted many Liberty fans with her references to biblical passages attacking homosexuality.
She is even not a very good player. Awkward on the court. Afraid to pass or shoot the ball. Dribbling like a 4-year-old.
I’m sorry that once again the Liberty has wasted a slot on the bench on this poor player.
If this is the best coaching from “Coach Whiz”, it’s going to be a terribly long, hot, miserable summer. Especially for those New Yorkers who have to take two or more trains to get to the Prudential Center.
MSG, do you really want to kill the Liberty in the NYC area?
Julia
June 3, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I agree with Sandy and Natalie. Spencer has never lived up to the billing, and receiving her autograph card with a New Testament biblical reference on it was insulting. If the NCAA can ban football players from putting bible verses on their faces, why can’t the WNBA ask players to not try and impose their faith on the rest of us?
As a long time season ticket holder, I am saddened to see Janel made invisible. The silence is deafening, and does not bode well for the summer. Perhaps they think that if they drive away enough fans, they can abandon the team for losing too much money. A cowardly way out.
Hannah
June 3, 2011 at 4:22 pm
I’m a long time Seattle Storm season ticket holder, but have always loved Janel’s level of play and hustle on the court. It is baffling that there is no reference to her absence on NY’s website and little to no coverage in the media an online. To me, a complete outsider to the Liberty family, I find Sidney Spencer really annoying. I know those are less than articulate words, but it’s how I feel. She isn’t annoying, like Dianna Taurasi is just because she’s so damn good and threatening. And she isn’t annoying like Maya Moore will be, because she shows so much promise and I’m bitter that she’s not on our team. Sidney Spencer is just irritating in a way I can’t put my finger on. I will miss Janel when the Lib’s come to town. And I really hope, for the fan’s sake, that the organization figures out what they are doing. Love to the Libs from Seattle!!!
Darius Amos
June 3, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Janel was one of the players I was looking forward to covering this season, considering she’s one of the top talents. After all the team accomplished last year, it would be hard not to return to try to win a championship in 2011. So I’m sure she had good reasons (still trying to get official word). But even without Janel, the Libs can still make noise this summer. Let’s hope it’s good noise.
As for Spencer, there’s no doubt that she hasn’t lived up to the hype since leaving UTenn. She doesn’t get a lot of minutes, but I hope she can contribute when she’s in the game. And I do agree with Natalie, Sandee and Julia – I wish she and other athletes wouldn’t push their beliefs on fans so strongly that it’s offensive. Sounds like a future blog might be necessary!
There’s also an open spot on the roster, so they might have plans to fill it with someone more capable down the road. I personally liked the way Kobryn played this preseason. I know they’re loaded at C, but I was disappointed to see her go. Natalie, Sandee, Julia: are there any available free agents you’d like to see with the Liberty? Or do you think the team has a shot the way it stands now? Thoughts?
Sandee
June 12, 2011 at 7:57 am
Darius,
Thanks for asking, but I don’t know enough about the free agents to respond informedly.
Based on the season opener (last night), I was very impressed with the team. Pierson, Powell, and Pondexter were a very powerful force.
But something happened in the fourth quarter. It’s like they all got tired. Suddenly shots they had been making earlier kept missing.
Whizniak played Spencer more minutes than I think she had all last season. I think he’s giving her a solid chance. I wasn’t impressed with what she did. She didn’t make any errors. But she also didn’t make any great moves.
I was sorry to see Leilani Mitchell a non-starter. She earned her way up there last season.
Muffy
June 11, 2011 at 11:28 am
I’m a season ticket holder and was stunned to see that Janel won’t be playing for NY this year. I always enjoyed her spirit her skill, and her great driving energy. This season I was willing to literally go through fire and water for my team (trains & busses across the Hudson and back – I live in NYC), but this is too much! First we’re booted out of MSG, then a key player is ‘suspended’ from the team (whose NY Liberty logo has been reduced to a small patch on their jerseys while the name of a Connecticut Casino is the only thing you can see on the front). Everybody’s mum on the subject, so I don’t know why Janel didn’t show at camp (injury? fatigue?) If this was the NBA, wouldn’t some accommodation be made for a star player? Is it too late to get my money back?