If you’ve been watching the 2024 WNBA Finals, you would not be able to tell that New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich is just a rookie.
But that’s the thing, she’s been so much more than that, especially in recent weeks.
Before entering the WNBA, the 24-year-old German had played on multiple professional international basketball teams. She became a two-time Spanish League MVP and an NBL1 national champion, winning the Grand Final MVP award. Along with being a champion overseas, she has silver and gold medals from competing on Germany’s national team back in 2016 and 2018.
It’s evident that she isn’t a typical rookie, given how much experience she already has, and that’s why she’s been crucial for the Liberty, especially in the playoffs.
Fiebich has been starting for New York during their 2024 postseason run, but how did she get there?
New York had dealt with a few absences in the regular season by their starters; Betnjijah-Laney missed some time earlier due to a knee injury, and guard Courtney Vandersloot was out a few weeks dealing with a personal matter. That’s when Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello had to experiment with her rotations. Fiebich went on to start 15 games in the regular season, where she averaged 8.4 points per game and had a plus/minus of +179 in total.
The versatile two-way player gives the Liberty another option to have on offense behind their big 3 of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. She was the team’s best 3-point shooter percentage-wise in the regular season, at an impressive 43.3%, which led all rookies. Not only does she help New York offensively, but her ability to defend multiple positions has made her a notable defensive player, attributing to that +179 plus/minus.
Given the impact Fiebich has had on the team as a starter in the regular season, it made sense for head coach Brondello to continue with that rotation going into the playoffs, despite Vandersloot being available. Within the first game of the playoffs, she quickly made an impact. She scored 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the 3-point line. That is the most points on record by a Liberty rookie ever in their playoff debut.
Through eight games in the postseason, she’s been averaging 10.4 points per game, with tremendous efficiency shooting 56.9% from the field and 55.9% from the 3-point line. She made more history in Game 1 of the Finals, not only becoming the first rookie to start a Finals game since Ariel Atkins in 2018, but she has hit the most three-pointers by a rookie in a single game, draining five of them.
In addition, she has been vital for New York down the stretch, hitting clutch shots such as her most recent 3-pointer in Game 2 against the Minnesota Lynx. The dagger came after a turnover by Minnesota, with the Liberty up just six points with one-and-a-half minutes to go in the game. Making this gave New York more breathing room and helped secure the win.
Ultimately, not many rookies could hit that shot down the stretch. Fiebich’s past experience playing professionally overseas has enormously developed her basketball IQ. As a former MVP and champion, she knows exactly how to propel her team toward a crucial win. What’s typical of most rookies isn’t typical of her.
“I love the confidence that she brings,” Brondello said. “We talk about her being a rookie, she’s not really a rookie. She has these experiences and really big moments, the mindset to handle this atmosphere extremely well and to make a play like that.”
