Leonie Fiebich might be a fresh face in the WNBA, but she’s quickly showing why she’s the one to watch. Her performance in Game 1 of the WNBA finals series — 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 17 points from 5-on-9 three-point shooting should’ve cleared that up. Moreover, she played in all 40 games, starting in 15 of them. Now her overall run of 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists may not exactly be exceptional. But one cannot deny that it’s a sign of a player finding her rhythm in her rookie season.

Her 43.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc — ranking third among players with at least 100 attempts in 2024 — furthers this notion. And if that isn’t enough, her +279 plus-minus stands second-highest for any rookie in WNBA history. It’s clear that Fiebich is not to be mistaken for just another rookie. And rightfully so, she had quite an impressive career even before she debuted in the WNBA.

A closer look at Leonie Fiebich beyond the WNBA

Little did the girl born on January 10, 2000, in Germany know that she’d one day be making waves through the women’s European basketball scenario. No wonder the Los Angeles Sparks selected her with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. However, her rights bounced around for quite some time within the league before she finally debuted with Liberty this year.

Fiebich was 16 when she started her professional career. What started off with TS Jahn Munchen, soon reflected her real potential as an emerging basketball star. Her 12.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game average the first season improved to 16.2 points per game in her next season with Munchen.

But it hasn’t entirely been a smooth ride for the Liberty rookie. After having a successful run with Wasserburg in the Bundesliga, Fiebich tore her cruciate ligament at the 2019 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup. But she was in no mood to let the injury decide the fate of her career. And after rehab, the German star returned stronger, playing in France with Flammes Carolo Basket and then in Australia’s Warwick Senators.

However, the majority credit for solidifying her status as a superstar goes to Spain’s Casademont Zaragoza. Not only did she lead Zaragoza to a Spanish Cup title in 2023, but also earned herself 2x MVP title, earning a spot on the All-EuroLeague First Team. However, if this isn’t enough, Fiebich’s run with the German national team should further reflect the potential she carries.

Fiebich has been representing her national team from her teenage years

When she was starting her professional career with TS Jahn Munchen, the WNBA rookie was also contributing to her national team around the same time. Not only did she help her team secure a silver medal at the FIBA U16 European Championship, but left a mark of her own. Averaging 11.9 points, 11.6 rebounds per game through the tourney, she earned herself the honor of averaging a double-double at such a young age.

But she didn’t stop there. Two years later, Fiebich also led the under-18 team to gold at the European Championship. Earning a spot on the tournament’s All-Star Team, she averaged 11.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this time around.

And by 2019, not only was she competing in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, but became a regular name in German basketball circles. But if you want to know the biggest milestone of her journey with the national team, it was her selection for the senior national team. So what if the team failed to earn a medal during their run?

With all the experience she has accumulated and her recent success with Liberty—earning the second spot in the race to Sixth Player of the Year—future looks promising for Leonie Fiebich in the WNBA.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.