When you have big goals, you need everybody pulling in the right direction. Everyone’s got to be connected and working for the best outcome possible. When you do that, good things happen. For Leonie Fiebich and the New York Liberty, it’s been a great start with plenty of room to get even better.
Fiebich has been a member of the Liberty organization since 2023 when she was included in a four team trade that sent Michaela Onyenwere to the Phoenix Mercury. Leo has spent the past few seasons playing in the Euroleague and Spanish league. During that time, she has earned the reputation of being one of the best players in the world. In 2024, she made her way to New York and the WNBA. Slowly but surely, we’ve gotten to see why she’s made waves across Europe.
Fiebich finds her confidence
To begin the season, there was some hesitation in Fiebich’s game. There were moments where she would pause when she was wide open. The mistakes started to pile up, the hesitation was evident, and her confidence was a bit shaken. In May, she only averaged 10.2 minutes per game as it took time to get comfortable. Even with the mistakes, the team’s confidence in Fiebich never wavered.
“You’re coming in and letting a mistake get you down, whereas f*** the mistake, let’s just focus on what you can control,” Sandy Brondello told The Local W after practice on May 22. “You are great, so don’t forget that. I was that age too. Once I started thinking [too much on the court], I was s***. If I played instinctfully through good or bad, it always worked out.”
As the season progressed, we saw that in action. In June, Leo’s minutes doubled to 22.4 per game and she averaged around 7/3/2 on 41 percent shooting from the field and 34.7 percent from three point range. Beyond the impressive numbers, we’ve gotten to see Fiebich display all of her skills in various settings.
“I think when you get into like the natural habit of knowing the system, knowing the plays, knowing your teammates, you just kind of go off of instincts,” Fiebich told The Local W at practice on June 12. “When I catch the ball now, I let my instincts work and try to not let my brain work. So I think that’s that’s helping me to make better decisions.”
So far this season, Fiebich has provided the Liberty with valuable wing relief. Her length, outside shot, and versatility make her a key part of New York’s bench. At times this season, New York has had stretches on the floor where Fiebich played alongside Stewart and another wing, or Fiebich and two different wing players. Her length and mobility help New York in a variety of defensive actions, while her shooting boosts them offensively. How good has the Liberty rookie been?
Pretty, pretty good!
Liberty fans have gotten to see Leo succeed, and they’ve gotten to see her take over in fourth quarter. Throughout June, Sandy Brondello and the coaching staff had Leo on the court as part of the closing five. You see the trust growing by the game, and Leo has wowed fans and analysts alike.
“I think Leo’s impact is huge,” Breanna Stewart said after the team’s victory against the Minnesota Lynx on July 2. “What sticks out the most is her size. To be a 6’4 guard, it’s easy if there’s… she’s on a post, I’m on a guard, and knowing that she can hold her own. The way that she gets into passing lanes, uses her length. Obviously, a knockdown shooter. Just giving us a heavy dose of what she is as a player, and the versatility [of what she does].”
Fiebich is a two-way force, and gives the Liberty another option against some of the league’s best players.
Helping hands
Being on a new team is tough. Being on a new team in a new country makes it even tougher. Luckily for Fiebich, one of her close friends is guiding her on this journey.
Nyara Sabally is a member of the German National Team and will compete at the Paris Olympics alongside Fiebich. Sabally has been a member of the Liberty roster since 2023 and has found success in her professional journey.
“I don’t know where I’d be without Nyara, honestly,” Fiebich told The Local W at practice on June 12. “She just helps me a lot on the court, off the court, everywhere.”
As Leo has gotten used to being in Brooklyn, Sabally has helped make her new city feel like home. They’re also going to be teammates for Germany in the Olympic Games!
What makes this moment even more special is this is the German National Team’s first ever appearance in the Olympic Games. With the Games and the 2026 World Cup being held in Germany, Fiebich can help spark major interest in German women’s basketball. One game in, her Liberty success has carried over in a big way
Someone else who has helped with the transition to the States is Kennedy Burke. Like Leo, KB starred in the Euroleague and like Fiebich was one of the best players during the season. Burke and Fiebich watched each other from afar, and can grow together as teammates. As Burke explained to Alford Coriette of Her Hoop Stats:
“Even though we weren’t in the same conference overseas, but being able to see her just excel at Zaragoza and then now she’s here. She has so much more room to grow, but she’s such a great player. Being able to play with her, it’s pretty cool. It’s pretty amazing.”
Leo’s WNBA career is off to an amazing start, and with her friends alongside her, she has the chance to do something special.
Keep building
Following the Olympic break, Fiebich will be the starting small forward. That is a result of Bentijah Laney-Hamilton undergoing a procedure on her right knee. With Bee recovering, Leo will take on the responsibility of guarding the opponent’s best player and getting to her spots on offense. When Laney-Hamilton returns, the Liberty’s rangy, hyper athletic wing room will wreak havoc on opponents. New York is in first place, and a strong finish will give them even more confidence in the playoffs.
2024 has been incredible for Leonie Fiebich. She gives the Liberty another elite perimeter defender that takes on every challenge. She plays with a flair and excitement that electrifies the Barclays Center crowd. And she’s making a name for herself here and all over the world. As the Liberty look to make history, Fiebich will continue to be a major part of their journey.