The Prince Has Arrived For NY Liberty

New York Liberty basketball players Epiphanny Prince, right, and Tina Charles talk during practice Thursday, May 21, 2015, in Tarrytown, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The long awaited debut of Epiphanny Prince is finally here.

Acquired in a blockbuster deal for Cappie Pondexter, Prince missed the first ten New York Liberty games due to a commitment to play for Russia in the EuroBasket Tournament, which is used as an Olympic qualifier event. Russia finished sixth after tournament play.

“It’s unfortunate that was the outcome,” Prince said. “Now I’m home and can focus on helping this team.”

Freed from her prior commitment, Prince just happens to return to a team that won two straight, at home versus winless Los Angeles and a long overdue road win at Chicago. The Liberty are now 6-4 and in the midst of a nine day break which ends this Thursday with their next match against Washington. Prince has been able to use the break to refresh her memory from her training camp sessions with the team as she prepares to make her debut next Wednesday at Madison Square Garden .

“We got a little practice time with her to get up to speed,” Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer explained. “I think we need the other scorer, no question about that. Epiphanny can make things happen on the basketball court.”

The glut of entertainment at MSG including comedian Kevin Hart, Dispatch Hunger’s two concerts, and U2, who will be doing eight shows running from July 18th to the 31st leaves the Liberty with only two home dates in July.

“We had some dates blocked in July because of big concerts,” Laimbeer shared. “I think we’ve got pretty good chemistry.  If we come together and play well, going on the road isn’t so bad for us.”