Rebekah Gardner watched the Liberty’s championship run from the sidelines last season as she rehabbed from an Achilles injury.
But after a “long and hard” 14-month recovery process, Gardner felt a sense of “relief” this week as she laced up her “Reverse Grinch” Kobe 6 sneakers to join her teammates at training camp.
“I put in a lot of work,” the 34-year-old Gardner said Monday after practice. “When I tore my Achilles it was devastating.”
Gardner fought for her WNBA dream for more than a decade before earning a spot with the Chicago Sky for the 2022 season at age 31.
After an All-Rookie season, the Sky re-signed Gardner.
But Gardner’s 2023 season was short-lived.
She suffered a season-ending foot injury in the third game and needed surgery.
Her return to the WNBA court was delayed again less than a year later, when she tore her right Achilles tendon while playing overseas.
The Liberty traded for Gardner’s rights before last season knowing that she wouldn’t be able to contribute that year.
But New York is about to see the return on that investment.
Gardner, whom the Liberty signed to a training camp deal earlier this year, has the potential to fill the void left by Kayla Thornton’s departure in the expansion draft and be the team’s go-to reserve.
“She’s going to be a real spark off the bench for us and it’s great to see her back on the court,” coach Sandy Brondello said. “And imagine if we had her last year. She’s versatile.”
Gardner’s conditioning remains a work in progress.
Brondello said it’s possible she will play in shorter bursts early this season as she builds that back up.
Overall, though, Gardner is moving side to side well and is getting the feel for her teammates.
Gardner has the tools to be a key piece for the Liberty as they try to defend their title this season.
“She plugs in anywhere,” Brondello said. “Today, I had her with some of the starters there and she just plugged in and finds a way. And it’s great to see players come back there to who they were, but continue to add to it. And I think we’re adding to her game, she’s going to add to our game so excited about that.”
