 First off, thank you. Thank you for inviting me. Thank you for the kind words. I am excited to be here. It's a pleasure to say that I am a part of this organization. So first off, thank you to everybody that's here right now. For me playing against Liberty last year. I saw a shift in the culture. That was for sure. The way that they played, you know, high octane basketball, playing both sides of the ball. A lot of young talent that was very, you know, lively and you can see that they were invested in winning and, and like I said, changing that culture. So for me, I wanted to be a part of that. Obviously, great coaching staff. You know, you've seen what Sandy's done, what Olaf has done in their careers. And so, yeah, I just wanted to be a part of that and to be in the city like New York, you know, it speaks for itself. I don't really have to say much about that. So, all together just felt like the right move. I know it's the right move for this chapter in my life. Appreciate your time and insight. Thank you. And I have a question for Jonathan and Sandy. This kind of a joint question, you know, going into what's basically year three of the Sabrina UNESCO era. How important was it to surround Sabrina with a proven and a downright historic talent like John Quill as we go into the proverbial so important third year of a franchise based career. Yeah, I think for me, anytime you have a chance to get somebody like this right here, you jump at that. You have to. Players like John Quill do not become available very often. So the idea of pairing her with Sabrina is really exciting. And I think they're going to be a dynamic duo for a long time. I really do. Great to see so many familiar faces. This is a really great day to welcome JJ I've admired her for so many years and now I get to coach her so really, I mean I'm super excited. Glad that she's super excited and she chose New York but look Sabrina I think you saw the development of her game last year I think her and Natasha did great the pick and roll game, but now we're adding another player of the caliber of JJ. You know obviously she's a stretch for she can play inside she can play outside she's great in the pick and roll she's a facilitator. So when you've got really two great players on the court how the teams got it, you know that that makes it a little harder to chess game. But look I think the upside I spoke to JJ I think the sky's the limit for her. And that's our goal is continue to improving her game with the players that we have here and she's just a perfect fit so we're super excited to have her here. Ben Pickman from the athletic has gone to Jay back here. What's going on. Before looking, you know, at some of the Liberty perspective I do have to ask about Connecticut, you know, there was a report that you did request this trade I was wondering, you know, what was the, I don't know the straw that broke the camel's back or what led you to want to change in direction in your career. Yeah, you know, obviously I've been, or was in Connecticut for the entirety of my career until this point. And for me I felt like it was just time for a change time for a new chapter. If you go back to any of the, you know, Connecticut front office you know we had that conversation about me stepping into a new chapter in my career. Obviously bubble season happened I didn't play. We had some injuries in Connecticut at the time. And so for me last year was like okay let's see what this team looks like full straight, fully healthy. But I came into that season knowing that it will probably be my last in Connecticut. But I wanted to give it my all and I wanted to see what that team looked like and what it felt like. Obviously we didn't accomplish what we want to accomplish. This is a new chapter but I'm ultimately I knew that for my growth as a, as an athlete and as a person I wanted to be able to step into a new situation. Coming to a new organization and better myself so definitely something that took a long time to think about but I'm happy that I chose New York and I'm happy New York chose me. We're going to go to Jackie next. Hey all Jackie pal with the next good to see all of you sorry if I'm doing this the sun's just in my eye. I'm going to start with JJ. Okay. You are a player who has had a lot of experience in the playoffs, and this is a roster that you're entering that you know, they've, they've had an elimination game they've had a first round series and so my question for you is, with the amount of playoff experience and the amount of playoff heartbreak that you've had. How, I guess, do you think you're going to grow as a leader, you know with all that experience you've had, giving that to this young group of players. I'm great question. I think I'm going to, you know, drive in that role and I'm extremely excited to be in that role to be able to, you know, help the younger players and be a voice of reason, whatever they need to talk about I'm here. And, you know, being in Connecticut, I can, you know, tell them firsthand that you may think that you have more opportunities but no opportunity as important as the one that you have before you right then right now. And so I think that's going to be extremely important is getting, you know, letting them understand that every opportunity matters and every chance you get to step on the court is opportunity to play your best and, you know, the future is not promised. So in order for us to maximize our potential play at the level that we know that we're going to be capable of playing that which is a very high level. We're going to have to be willing to sacrifice and play hard every game. I appreciate that and for Jonathan and Sandy, you know, with with JJ on this team, I'm curious about how the identity of this team changes the narrative in the past couple years has been that this is a gritty group, you know, that's underestimated and that works hard. You had someone that's so talented, like JJ. How do you imagine, I guess the identity staying the same but also changing. Well I think it elevates everything you spoke about. I mean to be a championship winning team, you look at the best teams like what did Vegas do well. Okay, like for us I've spoken about playing great defense. You know, she's been in all defensive teams. She's one of the greatest rebounders in the WNBA that helps our game already. You know, and we want to make sure that we're putting the right people around her. We've got, you know, obviously JJ, but we also got Kayla Thornton this deal. And, you know, she defensive rating last year is, you know, I think she was seventh in the league. That's quite impressive. She's got that toughness. So we're getting players together that compliment each other. You know, we still want to play basketball in the right way. You know, it's playing at both ends of the floor committing to be not just a great player but a great teammate. That's how we achieve all the goals that we've set out in front of us. And, you know, that's why JJ is such a big part of what we want to do here. And, you know, we've made progress, but we want to make we want to win. So that's the goal of not just the New York Liberty but every organization. And look, that's signing JJ's to help us that first step to get closer, you know, to achieving that but a lot of hard work needs to go in it before we can get there. All right, we're going to go to zoom very quickly and then we'll come back to the room in a vocal. We're ready for you. Yeah, thank you. I appreciate it. I have a question for JJ and then one for Jonathan. JJ, I know you were trying to win Connecticut's first championship and I know that meant a lot to you. You guys came close. What would it mean to you to help New York, an original WNBA franchise when a first championship. Oh man, that would, that would be amazing. That would be amazing. Everybody knows that New York is a basketball city. You know, people love, love the game, even when we just being here. I went to the grocery store. People are talking about it already about winning the championship. You know, I go to get something to eat people to talk to me about it. So, you know, they're really excited about it and it would mean everything to me to be able to bring a championship here to New York but also I think it would mean a lot to the WNBA for the league and its and so yeah, I'm excited about it and I know that you know we can get there and you know we keep working hard every day is definitely something that we can achieve so I'm really excited about the opportunity to be able to do that. And Jonathan just how big this move is which is enormous free agency is still coming up. Can you just talk about the fact that the Liberty may not be done in terms of what the how different the franchise may look going into this next season. Yeah, I don't happy to talk about it a little bit. I know this answer will draw groans from from here to Syracuse but it's not five o'clock yet and we don't official for agency list so look, we're going to be really aggressive I think we're helping on bringing a championship here it's what we've said from 2019 and we're going to say it every single year but I think we've proven that we're willing to be aggressive and we will continue to do that and so we're very excited at the opportunity to add talent and we'll see how this plays out over the next few weeks. Thank you appreciate it. Hi John Quill Owen Pence with Winciter and that's Republic welcome to New York outside of the basketball element of things what excites you most about coming to the city. Oh wow. Like I said before, you know just everything off the court, you know marketing wise the people, it being a basketball city. I think the opportunities are endless. And I think that was one of the biggest things that excited me. And you know I think, you're on my brand to like, not, you know not shine away from that and understand that it's an area that I can grow in and know being able to do that as well. Have you had any good meals here yet or experiences yet or I guess I've just been trying to get settled but you know they have they have some some some fish in the back for me they have some wabbit up so I was very impressed to see that already so yeah I already know it's going to be good food so I definitely got to stay in the gym when I'm up here. Thank you. Hi John Quill miles are like with Winciter and that's Republic. With Sabrina and Marine, this team has two of the most creative pick and roll guards in the W. So having seen that from the other side. How do you project their ability to draw and read defenses will open up the floor and help your game. Yeah I think it's going to be amazing I think everybody's going to eat off of us being able to thrive in a pick and roll. I think defenses are definitely going to have to respect them. You know players that are known to be able to score at a high clip. Like you said be able to create their own offense so I think it's just going to open up things for everybody and is definitely going to be mutually beneficial so yeah like I've been saying the whole time. I'm excited. And Sandy great to see you last season the team struggled at times with consistency so how do how does adding players like John Quill and Kayla Thornton just take a step towards addressing that challenge. Yeah, I mean I think the consistency thing that all basketball teams try to achieve don't they and I think when you get someone with Kayla and JJ's experience that helps it's a settling they've been in these big moments before. We relatively had a young team although we did have a lot of injuries to that we had to overcome. But you know for us is more about what do we need to do to be better. You know we can't be happy with what we've done we made progress but. Okay, let's let's get better and you know obviously Jonathan I we speak and I hear him all the time about what do we need to do and you know we're very lucky and happy that JJ chose us. We went to many other different teams but she chose us because I think she sees the vision that we have set out and and you know we think we can make her even better player than what she is and she's an amazing player already. So excited about you know integrating her with the core group that we do have and as you said you're free agency we still want to keep being aggressive and continue to build this into a championship winning team that players name the names of players doesn't have it's more about coming together and building the teamwork that we need to be great and JJ's had opportunities to play in WNBA finals and I think that experience will help us as we move forward. Hi Meredith cash insider I'll start with you JJ welcome to New York. You know, free agency and more generally player movement around the WNBA is still a relatively new thing for this league. I'm curious what it's been like to see that progression and you know see your own name in you know WNBA Twitter rumors and just chatter throughout the off season. I think for me. Like I was, I was telling some of the front office members here like I'm pretty bad with my phone right so like I think for me it's it's beneficial though right people hate it sometimes they're trying to reach me and I'm not picking up my phones I just kind of like I'll rest it down somewhere and it may be hours before I pick it up again and so I feel like it's kind of helped me manage this whole process really well. For me it kind of was really quiet like obviously I requested the trade and person was you know me having meetings with teams and you know talking to coaches and really seeing how I would fit in with the core groups that all the teams had. Then I made the decision and you know we were talking about having a press conference and you know just letting everything come, I guess naturally are the way it's supposed to go and then like it breaks on Instagram and it's like craziness just complete frenzy craziness like, and I think that's when my phone just started going crazy and you know I hit up my agent and I'm like well can I talk about it now like everybody's talking about it on social media he's like well it's not official so no so I'm like, I'm just sitting there just scrolling and seeing stuff. And I'm like this is crazy everybody else is talking about it but the person who's in the trade can post and say anything. So, it was definitely interesting. But I'm happy for the league that you know that we can get to this point in that player movement is something you know that draws the buzz and excitement and ultimately grows the league and you know for the New York franchise like I said I'm happy because I feel like it's going to be not just important for the organization but important for the WNBA. I just wanted to follow up with Sandy and Jonathan here. You know, end of season press conferences last year where there was an emphasis on free agency and what this team could be this year. But correct me if I'm wrong I didn't think JJ was part of that conversation. When did you know that this was going to be a possibility and what was the process like to bring her into the fall. Yeah, so I'm trying to really retrace this because it seems like a blur to be honest with you. It really does. And it seems like it took a long time to be fair. I mean one backstory I have, you know we always prepare for free agency well in advance you never know what's going to happen I've had a John Quill Liberty Jersey in my office for a year, but I'm not kidding because I thought before last year, she got court I thought hey maybe we'll take a run I've literally had that in my office all year all season. And when we heard after the season that there may be movement. We threw a hat in the ring right away as you would imagine, probably every team in the league did. And the process was simply that we got on a call with with our coaching staff and with JJ myself, Ohima and Sabrina actually, and we had a conversation about what this can be and how special it can be. As you, you all asked earlier about winning in New York, there is nothing like that we want to do that so we jumped at that chance and, like I said that the transaction itself and the negotiations, it goes a million different directions and I still probably haven't slept but now now I won't sleep just because of excitement so that's that's pretty much how it went down. Great ideas hi JJ New York City has a very big West Indian population, we're both of West Indian descent. How would you like the New York Liberty Liberty to celebrate us and also the league. Well, you know, that was one of the big things that actually drew me to New York as well. I kind of had like a list of teams and after I spoke with spoke with them on a zoom call and on the marketing team date. That was an emphasis for them before I even said anything to them it was like the West Indian culture what can we do. How can we tie it in and so for me it just, you know, I can tell that they took the time to really think about where I was from and you know the communities and the people that we can impact which is also extremely important to me so. You know, obviously, the behavior consulate general is here right now, and it means a lot to the Bahamas but it also means a lot to the West Indian community so I'm all airs and I'm open to anything that we can do but the marketing team has already been on that and so, like I said that's what drew me here. You know games for West Indian people, definitely the food, you know, whatever we can do, we're going to try to do it. Absolutely. One more thing that suit is clean by the way. Thank you. My second question is from a season ticket holder daydream who I know you will meet at some point. What are some of the things that you're looking forward to actually doing here, or what is what are some of the things that you like to do here. We have to know. Yeah I mean, for years I've been trying this is going to seem really like touristy but for years I've been trying to watch like the Lion King on Broadway. So I'm like I'm just like waiting for the time that I can actually go. My girlfriend went without me so it's been a popular topic that you know I'm upset with her about that but so we get to go now. Just just exploring the city and really seeing what it means to, you know, be a New Yorker because I've always done the touristy things. And so just really kind of getting it from that more. What's the word authentic point of view in terms of you know being a New Yorker and I think I want to definitely be more immersed in like the sports culture to like going to games and stuff this. I love baseball games I love basketball games and to say that I'm a part of a city like that now and I'm really excited for, you know, coming from a smaller market. I feel like it's endless in my mind is just like constantly thinking of things to do but I'm going to be out there for sure. All right, we're going to quickly go to zoom. Any constable. This question is for JJ. Hey JJ any constable from the Sun Times in Chicago. We asked a question I may ask a question about free agency but obviously it opens up tomorrow how are you approaching your role recruiting players who have been linked to the Liberty already. Anything that the organization needs me to do I'm there you know obviously we want to put on put our best foot forward and and you know I'm all in on whatever they want to do but as of right now like he said we haven't really done anything it hasn't started yet but when it does will be there. Appreciate it thank you. Mark Schindler. Hey JJ really nice to see you. So, Sandy mentioned as well and you've mentioned to in terms of taking the next step with your game. When you're thinking through that you know envisioning what it's like playing with sad and just being in a more space that offense what what kind of things are you thinking through or envisioning maybe being that next step for you. Yeah, I think you know one of the things that we talked about with the coaching staff is just me being a little bit more efficient. I think that's going to really open up the game me just being able to know roll a little bit quicker understand how to space it out. I think all of those things are going to open the court up. Obviously, like I said before Sabrina is going to be able to you know creator on shot find me in the right time right space. And so I'm really excited about that and I think the attention that I draw was going to allow her to be able to be successful as well. And Jonathan for you. You know we just spoke recently about you know some of the difficulties of being a GM and going through some of the player management. When you are inversely you know from talking to JJ when you have to call back Alan and let her know she's being traded or letting Chris Chris danger field know like what is that like as much as you can kind of let us know. Yeah, that's a good question. I'll keep some of that private just from the sense of, you know, just personal relationships with those calls are really difficult. One thing I think I'm proud of is that people, people want to be here and so it is hard to break that news to them. But what I will say is everyone was a professional on those calls, and they they understood the business side of this which gets said a lot, but I really have to emphasize this isn't fantasy basketball it's real people on the other side of these transactions they matter. They want to be here and things like that so. Yeah, doing those calls it is tough but it is part of it, and it's part of getting better as a team. Awesome thank you guys. All right, lastly we're going to go to Sasha light born on zoom. Good afternoon I JJ. Right here my first question is actually for Jonathan Jonathan do you understand that you have actually accepted an entire country on your mouth now. We're, we're thrilled. Yeah, so the entire Bahamas is now a part of the New York Liberty. And my question for JJ JJ, you know, I saw you in Connecticut you're now in New York. What, how will you get and I'm sure it's going to be so much easier to get to New York from the Bahamas because there, there are many direct flights. What would you say the behaviors now who have never had an opportunity to watch you play in person and just try to encourage them to come out to some of your games. Yes, I would say that, like you said it's a lot of direct flights. So you know start booking the tickets. You know this the schedule is already out. It's right there you can Google it. And we're ready we're excited to have as many behemoths as possible let's pack the house. Let's show up and let's be proud because I think the product that we're going to put out there is going to be really, really great. I would love for behemoths to be a part of that but um yeah this is the New York Bahamas.