In the Scrum: European Reunion (Part 2)
Highlighting Liberty players who had a stint in EuroLeague this past season
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In the last edition of In the Scrum: European Reunion, we highlighted New York’s Kennedy Burke and Nyara Sabally.
This time, we’re looking at two other European players poised to make an impact with New York, Ivana Dojkić and Leonie Fiebich.
Experiencing Seafoam Season
When Dojkić joined the team, there was minimal time between her arrival and the Liberty’s preseason game at Connecticut. So, it would have been understandable if she didn’t have an immediate impact.
But head coach Sandy Brondello believed in what Dojkić could produce given the limited time to acclimate.
“She’s been a professional player for quite some time,” Brondello said before the game. “She has that basketball IQ.”
Dojkić would silence any doubt on what she could provide, scoring eight points in her first game with the Liberty. It wasn’t her first WNBA rodeo, as Dojkić started in 15 of her 23 games with the Seattle Storm last season. At Bologna, Dojkić did well in providing a scoring boost. She averaged 12.3 points in EuroLeague, which ranked second on her team. Against Sabally’s Praha, Dojkić scored 24 points on 12 shots.
After the Connecticut preseason game, Dojkić was able to experience training camp at Barclays Center and mentioned her desire to experience the full force of the city.
“Just to feel this power of such a city, to be in the center of the world,” Dojkić said. “I mean at the end of the day, here is everyone and the transit of the people going through New York, the things that are going on here. It will also be coming to the arena and being part of our success. So I'm just excited about all this ambiance and atmosphere, and I can't wait to start.”
After playing in four home games, Dojkić now understands what it means to represent seafoam season.
“It's an honor for sure,” Dojkić said about being part of the Liberty. “It's bigger than just thinking of playing basketball. The vision of what we are trying to do this season is big, and I want to be part of that. It's great to play here. It's a beautiful atmosphere.”
During home games this season, Dojkić is averaging three points in seven minutes per game, primarily providing guard relief to Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot. However, if she can be productive on the court, there may be upticks in playing time.
German Precision
Leonie Fiebich, a 6-foot-4 sharpshooter for Zaragoza, arrived in Brooklyn after an MVP season in the Spanish Liga Femenina Endesa. In EuroLeague, Fiebich led the team in scoring with 12.4 points and shot a scorching 44% from long range. In the four-team deal that netted Chicago Marina Mabrey, New York acquired the rights to the German prospect in 2023.
After her first day of training camp, Fiebich commented on the help she received from stars who had previously played in EuroLeague.
“Everybody is helping me a lot right now,” Fiebich said. “They know how to play European basketball, but many of the players like Stewie [Breanna Stewart] and Sloot [Vandersloot], they played in Europe. So I think they know exactly how I feel right now and just coming in from a different style of play. They really helped me, so I appreciate it.”
Although Fiebich came from Spain, where she was the league’s MVP, she acknowledged the level of competition she would face in camp.
“I was thrown into the cold water a bit, but it was fun,” Fiebich said. “Practicing with some of the best players in the world was just fun. We just have to get to know each other a little bit more and I can't wait to get started.”
Fiebich scored five points off the bench in her first Liberty home game. Someone who could give her pointers on what to expect was her German national teammate, Nyara Sabally. Both have developed quite a rapport growing up in the national team system.
“It's gonna be loud,” Sabally said before the game. “I feel like once you're on the court, you kind of just play it out, but I just told her [Fiebich], it's so much fun. She watched a game of ours last year, so she knows the atmosphere. But, I just told her it's going to be a lot of fun. Our fans are amazing.”
After experiencing the Liberty faithful this season, Fiebich acknowledges the difference between seafoam season and the crowds overseas.
“I don't think you can compare them, because the show that’s done here is so different, like with the halftime and timeouts,” Fiebich said. “It's amazing. The game against Phoenix, when it got close and chippy, it was amazing to have the crowd push us.”
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 are expected to help New York in many defensive actions, while her shooting boosts them offensively.
Given this, one could wonder if Fiebich has noticed any differences defensively compared to overseas play.
“I feel like the main difference is that here in the W, everybody is looking to score on every action,” Fiebich said. “Whereas in Europe it’s more in structure, more in a system and they play for the last action. So you just have to be ready at any second.”
Staying ready for when their number is called seems to be a theme of New York’s bench players. For Fiebich, understanding the team and opponents will help towards that goal.
“Just to continue to get comfortable with the players around me,” Fiebich said on goals for the upcoming season. “The players that we’re going to play against, and getting to know everybody. Also, coming off the bench and bringing the energy every single night.”
At just 24 years old, how Fiebich progresses as a player is something the Liberty will monitor. However, to be a two-time Spanish League MVP at her age already bodes well for her prospects. Fiebich also has the luxury of playing with another European league MVP this season, Kennedy Burke. Burke was the MVP of France’s Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB).
Keen-eyed fans may have noticed a specific play when New York faced Indiana on June 2. Burke received the ball from Fiebich, then dished it back to the curling Fiebich on a handoff, resulting in a 3-pointer. For Burke, that particular play felt, to some extent, the culmination of their respective time overseas.
“It kind of did [feel full circle],” Burke said. “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.”
Fiebich’s production was also on display last night against Atlanta. She scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out five assists. Output like that is what New York wants to see over the long haul.
This season is a marathon, given the 40-game length and the Olympic break. How New York continues to integrate Dojkić and Fiebich into the rotations will be something to watch. Two players who knock down long-range shots and more can be critical pieces to New York’s championship puzzle.
Stay tuned for the next installment of “In the Scrum”!
Thanks for reading the Her Hoop Stats Newsletter. If you like our work, be sure to check out our stats site, our podcast, and our social media accounts on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.