by By DOUG FEINBERG, AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Liberty guard Shoni Schimmel has missed the first few days of training camp and isn’t expected with the team any time soon.
“Shoni has decided to take some time off,” New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said.
She suffered a concussion in late August that sidelined her for the remainder of the season. As far as how much time Schimmel is planning to take, Laimbeer didn’t want to say.
“You’d have to call and ask her,” he said. “I’m not going to speak for her. She’s on the roster, she’s under contract. It’s her choice.”
Her agent Allison Galer declined to comment.
Schimmel, the eighth pick in the 2014 WNBAdraft, played in 17 games last season for New York after getting traded from Atlanta and averaged 2.1 points. The former Louisville star was the MVP of the 2014 WNBA All-Star Game and is a talented 3-point shooter.
While she was in Atlanta, she struggled to stay in shape. She improved her fitness while in New York.
The Liberty have the option to cut or suspend Schimmel for the season.
“There comes a date in training camp when a team has an ability to suspend a player for the entire season and retain their rights,” Laimbeer said.
