Each week this summer, we’ll delve into various aspects of this year’s WNBA rookie class. From Jewell Loyd on down, we’ll provide inside access to the youngsters’ seasons, showcasing the impact the game’s future stars are having today.

In this week’s installment, we feature Brittany Boyd and Kiah Stokes, the unlikely tandem of New York rooks who are having an immediate impact on a solid Liberty squad.

There is no sure thing in sports. You take risks. You gamble. You invest.

And while it remains to be seen how an experimental offseason for the New York Liberty will play out, the first week and a half of play has been encouraging for a team that missed the postseason each of the last two years.

The Liberty’s offseason was marked by numerous storylines. In January, the organization brought back Bill Laimbeer—the head coach with whom it had parted ways just months earlier. The following month, the team traded away veteran guard Cappie Pondexter in exchange for Epiphanny Prince, who is spending the first few weeks of the season in Russia.

Finally, in April’s WNBA Draft, the Liberty infused a bit more intrigue into their already-interesting offseason. Heading into the night, the team had no first-round picks. By the end of the night, thanks to some crafty maneuvering by Laimbeer and vice president Kristin Bernert, the team had picked twice in the first 11 picks: With the ninth overall pick, the Liberty nabbed Brittany Boyd, a high-energy point guard from Cal who earned second-team AP All-America honors last year. Two picks later, the team selected former UConn center Kiah Stokes.

Laimbeer has relied heavily on his rookies to start the year, with Stokes averaging 25 minutes per game and Boyd averaging 21.4 — second and sixth among all rookies, respectively, as of June 17.

The duo has filled the box scores with more than just minutes, though. Among rookies, Boyd ranks in the top three in assists per game (first), points per game (third) and steals per game (third). And while she’s turning it over with the regularity you might expect from an inexperienced and high-motor player, she’s making up for it at the charity stripe, knocking down all 16 of her free throw attempts this year.

In the frontcourt, Stokes is benefiting from the tutelage of veteran center Tina Charles and Laimbeer, who was an inside bruiser for the “Bad Boy” Pistons of the 1980s. Stokes, too, is establishing herself as a dominant presence in the paint. Her 6.8 rebounds per game leads all rookies, and her 2.2 blocks per game is good for third in the entire WNBA.

“Her shot-blocking is amazing,” teammate Candice Wiggins said following last Thursday’s win over Phoenix. “She’s probably the best shot-blocker, minus Brittney Griner, that I’ve ever played against.”

Through five games, the Liberty are 3-2 and have shown signs of true improvement from last year. While it’s early, offseason acquisitions and draft-day gambles seem to be paying off.

Laimbeer, for his part, thinks the investment looks good so far.

“We’re starting two rookies out there, and they’re doing really well,” he said. “I don’t know if anyone else is even starting a rookie. And if you ask the fans, they love them.”

For Boyd and Stokes, the trade-ups have bred confidence.

“I know that I’m in a place where I’m wanted,” Boyd, who turned 21 last week, said. “I’m still learning, but I don’t think there’s a better feeling than being in a place where you’re wanted.”

Additional rookie news and notes

First overall pick Jewell Loyd played her best game of the season Sunday in front her mentor, NBA star Kobe Bryant, who tweeted his support of the first-year point guard following Seattle’s victory over L.A. … San Antonio’s first-round selection, forward Dearica Hamby, tallied 17 points in the June 11 contest versus Atlanta—the highest point total so far for a rookie this season. …  Chelsea Gray, who missed last season due to injury, has been impressive in her return, helping lead Connecticut to a 4-1 start.