Marine Fortu Prepares for WNBA Debut
Marine Fortu, a guard from France, typically stands on the outskirts of her team’s huddle during timeouts. It’s a moment for her to glance around the Barclays Center, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
“It’s wild,” she remarked about the enthusiastic fans. “The gym feels enormous, and the crowd’s energy is off the charts.”
After spending a year recovering from a torn ACL in her left knee, Fortu is finally set to play before the cheering home crowd. The Liberty’s 2021 third-round draft pick is expected to make her WNBA debut against the Indiana Fever on Saturday.
She found out about her first game on Friday and was over the moon with excitement. Coach Chris DeMarco mentioned he had “low expectations” for her initial game, but he’s anticipating seeing her take the court. “She’s worked incredibly hard to return,” he shared. “I’m really glad she’s getting this chance.”
Fortu suffered her knee injury last June, which also caused her to miss out on last year’s EuroBasket tournament. Rehabilitation has been her focus since then.
The early days of recovery were particularly challenging for her. Strangely enough, she found it hard to watch women’s games during that time, opting instead for the men’s Euroleague. “I love basketball,” Fortu explained. “It was tough seeing others play while I was sidelined. But now, I feel mentally and physically stronger.”
While she knew recovery would be lengthy, the actual time away from the game came as a surprise. Having been sidelined only once before due to surgery—where she returned in three months—this felt different.
“I thought I’d be back sooner,” she admitted. “A year away wasn’t what I anticipated, but honestly, I feel stronger now than I did before.”
At 24, Fortu has been highlighted as one of Liberty’s promising international talents since attending the draft party of fellow French player Ileana Rupert in 2021 and hearing her name announced as the 29th pick. She believes this season is a “great time” to step into the WNBA, having secured one of two development contracts with the Liberty.
This will be her first game, and under her current contract, she can participate in up to 12 games. The presence of numerous French players has created a supportive environment within the Liberty. Fortu has been friends with newcomer Pauline Astier since childhood, their mothers having played on the French national team together. She’s also played alongside Marin Johannes, who won a silver medal at the Olympics in 2024.
Fortu expressed how the connections she’s made with other French players have helped her ease into life in New York. For Saturday’s game, she was excited to finally get some meaningful playing time after such a long break. Her mother even traveled to New York for this significant milestone in her career.
“I want to be the best version of myself on the court,” she shared. “I just want to do everything to help us win.”
Welcoming Fortu into the lineup gives the Liberty another point guard option. Until now, the team has leaned heavily on Astier, the only true point guard available with Sabrina Ionescu out.
“The most important thing is her competitive spirit,” DeMarco noted. “Even if she’s playing point guard, it’s all about her drive and presence in the game. We’re really excited to have her with us.”
