Isabelle Harrison found everything she desired in Liberty in hopes of finally fulfilling WNBA promise

Isabelle Harrison has no trouble spotting her father, Dennis, sitting courtside this season at Athletes Unlimited games in her hometown of Nashville. Then again, it’s hard to miss the sturdy 6-foot-8 former NFL defensive lineman who dwarfs the average person. After each game, Dennis waits for Isabelle to cool down and shower before taking her bag, throwing it in his car and driving her home. The rides have been reminiscent of her girlhood days. Harrison, who stands 6-3, may have gotten some of her physical and athletic gifts from her father. But her competitive spirit? That comes from growing up with 11 siblings — including nine older than her. She remembers being constantly sent outside to play games.Football, basketball, tag.

Any game, they’d play it. From a young age, Harrison couldn’t stand the thought of losing. “For me, I always wanted to beat them,” said Harrison.“And I always wanted to impress them, so when my dad did get the chance to come to a game or my sibling did get a chance to come to a game, I just wanted to show off.” That drive helped Harrison get to this point of her professional career, despite it having been derailed twice by injuries and once by an autoimmune illness. Harrison, 30, is preparing for her eighth WNBA season, and first with the Liberty, with whom she signed a one-year deal last week. After a turbulent 2024 season with the Chicago Sky, Harrison is eager for the chance to put the past behind her and help bolster New York’s frontcourt rotation. “I’m just at a point now where I want to play with a great team,” Harrison said.

“And we’re just ready to come in and play, and I think New York does an amazing job just making sure all we have to do is play our basketball.” Harrison knows what she’s getting into by joining a team coached by Sandy Brondello. The two have known each other for a decade now.Brondello was the head coach for the Phoenix Mercury when they picked Harrison 12th overall i...