The WNBA has entered its era of super teams, and thus far in this new chapter for the league, the Las Vegas Aces have taken the lead, and the New York Liberty have become their antagonists.
In hopes of besting the formidable Aces, the Liberty franchise has the option to incorporate a player into its organization who holds star status in Europe and has the potential for short-term prominence in the W.
This player is Leonie (Leo) Fiebich, the leader of Casademont Zaragoza in the EuroLeague and MVP of the Spanish league. Plus, despite being quite young at 24 years old, she is also taking the reins of the German national team alongside another Liberty player, Nyara Sabally. Fiebich has already proven herself as one of the top players in European competitions, and she now seeks to do the same in the United States.
Let’s take a look back at where Leo has been and forward to what her presence in New York could mean for the hopeful Liberty franchise.
Professional Career Start
The German player began her professional career with TS Jahn München in 2016, averaging 12.1 points and 8.5 rebounds. She improved the following season, recording 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
Fiebich then debuted with Wasserburg in the German first division, and was named the league’s rookie of the season, averaging 10.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Meanwhile, she also excelled in Germany’s youth categories and stood out as one of the country’s top players, winning gold in the U18 European Championship in 2018 and taking a silver medal in the U16 European Championship in 2016. However, Fiebich faced a setback at the U19 World Championship after suffering a torn ACL that sidelined her for an extended period.
Her next stage would be with Flammes Carolo where she didn’t quite fit the system. She then decided to go to Australia and play in the NBL1 for the Warwick Senators. Here, Fiebich regained her form, winning the division championship and the Finals MVP where she recorded 16 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Arrival at Casademont Zaragoza and Rise to Star Status
In 2022, Fiebich joined a lower profile Spanish team of Casademont Zaragoza. Coming from a less noticeable stint in France and a brief standout moment in the Australian league, Fiebich’s signing initially gathered little fanfare. However, she quickly made her mark and rose in status to become one of the Spanish league’s prominent figures. The German star found herself in an ideal environment at the right moment, leading to her taking a significant leap in her career, propelling the Zaragoza team to the next level along with her.
Fiebich averaged only 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in the EuroCup with Flammes Carolo Basket during the 2021-22 season. In contrast, during her first campaign with Zaragoza, she averaged an impressive 17.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. This kind of progression from one season to the next is uncommon, but fitting for a unique and above-average performer like Fiebich.
As the game’s difficulty increased, Fiebich has seamlessly adapted. Her improvement over the years has elevated more than just her game, but also her teammates. Fiebich is a generous leader who prioritizes the progression of the collective over the individual.
What Type of Player Is Fiebich?
Now that we have the context of what Leo has done in the past, it’s time to turn our attention to the future: What can Fiebich bring to the New York Liberty?
Fiebich is a 6’4″ wing with solid defensive chops both inside and outside, reliable three-point shooting and a knack for scoring. Altogether, she is a well-rounded and versatile player with a physique perfect for her unique playing style.
In addition to her basketball prowess, Fiebich is also a standup teammate and is held in high esteem by those who share the court with her. Lara González, Fiebich’s current Casademont Zaragoza teammate, sang Fiebich’s praises, “Honestly, she’s a tremendously talented player, and I believe she’s already proving it,” said González. “She’s far from selfish… She’s one of the players who will make a significant difference in this league!”
Mariona Ortiz, a top guard in EuroLeague and another of Fiebich’s teammates, echoed sentiments similar to González, “I think Leo has been a revelation for everyone,” said Ortiz. “Undoubtedly, one of the most complete players I’ve seen. And in our team, we’re fortunate to enjoy her game.”
What Could Be Fiebich’s Potential in the WNBA?
Fiebich’s success in the WNBA depends on a few factors, some within her control and others entirely outside of it. After getting selected in the 2020 draft with the 22nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks, it took four years for the German to get a chance with a WNBA team in the first place. Let’s explore two opposing possible viewpoints on how Leonie’s potential could pan out.
In the first scenario, Fiebich would gradually increase her status in the league, earning more minutes to secure a role similar to what she has in Europe. This season, Fiebich was named to the All-EuroLeague Women First Team next to four WNBA standouts (Emma Meesseman, Marina Mabrey, Ezi Magbegor & Kayla McBride) and repeated as the MVP of the Spanish league. If she can translate her game from Europe to the States, Fiebich could even hope to become a WNBA All-Star. While this might be a lofty goal for her to reach, it is not out of the realm of possibilities. Perhaps Fiebich could aspire to fill a role like that of Marine Johannès, another dazzling guard with wizard-like ball handling skills and a prolific shooter. Following the path of Johannès could help Fiebich to further her career with the Liberty or another WNBA franchise requiring a player of such caliber.
In the second scenario, similar to the experiences of many other great European players, Fiebich could struggle to find her place in the WNBA. Her upcoming contract with the New York Liberty would no doubt still further her development, and she could use this period as a learning phase. Fiebich will be surrounded by some of the best minds in basketball like Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot, and decorated coach and former player Sandy Brondello. Not everyone can make it in the WNBA with limited roster availability and tough competition, even more so for international players juggling their overseas squads and national team duties. Nonetheless, Fiebich holds a solid chance of making it out of training camp and potentially delivering an impact off the bench.
All in all, Leonie Fiebich has the potential to build a successful career in the States. If her recent EuroLeague has taught us anything, Fiebich is an asset in more ways than one. Taking a leap of faith as a European player competing in the WNBA is not an easy feat. European fans should prepare themselves for the possibility that Fiebich’s impact may not be as immediate as in the EuroLeague. But, American fans should not be surprised if Leo soars to remarkable heights and cements herself as an asset to the league as a whole.
