Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images
In her rookie season, Fiebich has solidified herself as one of the league’s most impactful two-way bench players.
NEW YORK — Leonie Fiebich is used to being a star. The 24-year-old was already named MVP of the Spanish League twice, and she averaged double-figures in each of her professional seasons in Europe.
But as a member of the New York Liberty in her first WNBA season, the German forward showed that she’s can star in any role — not just the star one. She’s come off the bench 23 times this season, averaging 21 minutes per game. Sometimes, she takes just a few shots, simply serving as a connector and deferring to her All-Star teammates. Other times, she’ll take over offensively, scoring double-digits points and sinking threes.
Her presence has been a welcome addition to an already-loaded Liberty roster. The German star was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2020, but the Liberty traded for her rights just a few years ago. When she signed a rookie-scale contract in February, it wasn’t quite clear what kind of impact she could have on the team in her first season. It was a relatively under-the-radar signing for an organization recovering from a loss in the Finals.
Now, just a half a year later, it’s evident that Fiebich is not just a game-changer, but also a very viable candidate for Sixth Player of the Year. She hasn’t missed a beat in her adjustment from primary scoring option to role player.
“I don’t think it was too hard for me, because I’m a team player anyway,” she told SB Nation. “It wasn’t too much of a switch.”
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello loves being asked about Fiebich’s impact on the team. She’s likened her rookie’s game to DeWanna Bonner’s, the fourth leading scorer in WNBA history. She’s complimented her ability to fit in with different lineups, and to provide energy immediately upon checking in. And, the numbers match the eye test — Fiebiech has the 7th highest plus-minus of any WNBA player, and the highest among bench players.
“She’s been great for us,” Brondello said. “That’s a big understatement, she’s been amazing for us at both ends of the floor.”
Enhancing the versatility of the best team in the league
Leonie Fiebich identified three-point shooting as her greatest strength. After all, she’s shot 43.8% this season, the second-highest mark of any player in the WNBA averaging at least one made three-pointer. Since the Olympic break, that three-point figure has skyrocketed to 55%, also second-best.
Still, where she hangs her hat is on defense, and when she checks into the game a few minutes in, her focus is on that end of the floor.
“[I’m] just bringing energy, honestly, especially on defense,” Fiebich said. “Because when you play big minutes, like our starters [do], it’s cool to have somebody come in and just be energetic and pressure the ball and be aggressive on defense.”
She’s benefitted from playing alongside the league’s most effective lineup this season, frequently sharing the court with All-Stars Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, and helping make New York incredibly difficult to guard.
“We’re so interchangeable, so versatile,” Fiebich said. “For example, playing with Stewie, you can play basically all positions, Sabrina being a great shooter, and JJ just being so dominant under the basket — there’s always going to be an option, it doesn’t matter what the defense tries to take away. So, that’s pretty cool to see and play in.”
Brondello has recognized and shone light on how Fiebich can play alongside, and complement, anyone. That’s been part of why she’s seen increased minutes in recent weeks.
“Leo fits in wherever you want her to fit in and I think that’s the beauty of her,” she told reporters last month.
Adjusting to the WNBA
Fiebich’s impact in her rookie season was no surprise to teammate Breanna Stewart.
“I knew what she was doing when she was playing in the Spanish league,” Stewart told SB Nation. “We have mutual friends. Just the way that she comes in — her length, her size, her ability to stretch the floor…”
Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images
Ultimately, her Sixth Player of the Year candidacy, and numbers, are slightly impacted by her slow start to the season. There’s a reason why rookies rarely earn the honor (only three have won in WNBA history). She scored just 20 points in all of May as she adjusted to the league, and played single-digit minutes in half of those games. Since the Olympics, Fiebich’s numbers have greatly improved — she’s averaged 8.8 points on 57.8% shooting.
“It just took her a second to get used to the game, the physicality here in the W, and build her confidence, and what this team needed,” Stewart said.
Heading into the postseason, Fiebich undoubtedly one of New York’s most important players. When Betnijah Laney-Hamilton missed several weeks due to midseason knee surgery, it was Fiebich who frequently filled in for her, allowing the Liberty to continue winning.
Now, the Liberty sit at 31-7, owner’s of the league’s best record. It’s very possible they wouldn’t be in this position without the rookie who has managed to provide them with a boost in every sense.
Author’s note: This article is part of a series diving into the candidates for WNBA Sixth Player of the Year. Similar stories have been written about Tiffany Hayes of the Las Vegas Aces and Sophie Cunningham of the Phoenix Mercury.
