Crystal Dangerfield opened up Thursday about her long journey this season and described how joining the New York Liberty helped save her career.
Speaking during the Liberty’s end-of-season media availability, Dangerfield said it took her a while to get adjusted in New York.
“It took a long time, longer than most people would expect,” she said. “It wasn’t as quick as I’d have liked it to be because you have a job at the end of the day. But my teammates did a good job making me feel like I was there to help.”
Before catching on with the Liberty, she had bounced around to several teams, which took its toll. Once she clicked with New York, though, she became a key piece. Through 30 games with the team, Dangerfield averaged 5.4 points.
Just before the season started, Dangerfield was waived by the Minnesota Lynx, the team that drafted her in 2020.
“This season overall, coming back and being waived [by the Lynx] was hard,” she said. “Not knowing because you have to wait the how much ever time it is, not knowing who’s interested, people basically have their rosters, but we have a league where people are gone because they’re overseas.”
Crystal Dangerfield shared her journey: “You have a vision for yourself and how you want your career to play out. And it just, it hadn’t been like that for the last two years… I didn’t want to play. I wanted to basically save my career, but I didn’t want to play.” @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/w4U9GwWBFr— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) August 25, 2022
Crystal Dangerfield shared her journey: “You have a vision for yourself and how you want your career to play out. And it just, it hadn’t been like that for the last two years… I didn’t want to play. I wanted to basically save my career, but I didn’t want to play.” @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/w4U9GwWBFr
After leaving the Lynx, Dangerfield was picked up by the Indiana Fever. While she says she was ready to hit the ground running in Indiana, she was there for just a week before being cut. In total, she said she was with the Fever for roughly four days.
She then returned home for nine days before the Liberty called. Because of the nature of her season, Dangerfield said she initially wanted to say no. While she wanted to save her career, her motivation to play was low, but she decided to give it a shot.
“It was huge because it ended up working out, and I told [Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb] that I really appreciate him bringing me in,” Dangerfield said. “I told the coaching staff I appreciate them bringing me in. It took a while to settle mainly because, you have a vision for yourself and how you want your career to play out.
“And just it hadn’t been like that for the last two years. So bouncing around and coming to be with New York, being with the people that they are, the teammates that they are really saved me.”