Liberty developmental player Madison Scott has infectious energy. Coach Chris DeMarco noticed it from her first practice with the team earlier this month.
She's shown a willingness to do whatever is asked to help the team. During one-on-one drills, Scott volunteered to play defense.
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On Sunday, her efforts were rewarded.
Scott made her season debut in the Liberty's 106-69 win against the Toronto Tempo . She scored four points in the final four minutes and finished a plus-12 as they ran up the score against the expansion franchise that is clamoring to win the JuJu Watkins sweepstakes in next spring's draft.
DeMarco thought it was a fitting performance from Scott, who's hoping to eventually land a permanent spot in the WNBA.
"Basketball rewards the energy," DeMarco said. "From the second she got here it was all about the right things. Showing up early, getting extra work and playing as hard as she can. … She brings a great energy, so it's just being rewarded for that."
Madison Scott (10) of the New York Liberty dribbles the ball during a game against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Canada, Sunday, September 20, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The Wings drafted Scott in the second round of the 2025 draft out of Ole Miss, but she was waived before the season started. The Mystics then signed Scott to a series of seven-day contracts last season, and she logged 47 minutes across nine games. Again, Scott didn't land a permanent roster spot.
Without a WNBA home, Scott spent most of this summer traveling with the USA Basketball 3×3 team. She made stops in Turkey, Hungary and France, among other places.
"I've been making a lot of deposits," Scott said of the past few months. "It's been a huge blessing to play with [Team USA], and honestly, it's helped me stay ready."
Madison Scott (10) of the New York Liberty shoots a free throw during a game against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Canada, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Scott jumped at the opportunity to join the Liberty as a developmental player after Anneli Maley was promoted to a rest-of-season contract . The team is expected to maintain the rights of Scott, who will be a reserved free agent after this season.
"When I got this call, it meant everything to me," Scott said. "I got emotional. I thank God, and I knew that all the work that I put in was going to prepare me for this moment, so super happy to be here."
Scott isn't taking anything for granted. She's in awe that she gets to call Breanna Stewart , Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones her teammates.
"These are GOATs," Scott said. "These are people that I grew up idolizing. I'm just so excited to even be in the same room as them. … Stewie, Sabrina, JJ — they're all vets. Their knowledge, their wisdom is through the roof so they have so much to pass down to a player like me who's still trying to find my way. So everything that they're saying I'm taking notes on. I'm making sure that I'm asking them questions. I'm also being very receptive, being coachable, and again, just being a sponge and taking everything in."
