New York Liberty On Friday they announced they had re-signed Marine Johanne, who played for the team in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
5'10 guard Johannes helped lead the French national team to a silver medal finish with Team USA in the 2024 Paris Games. She sat in 2024 WNBA The season will be coming to fulfill her national team duties, but there was widespread hope of returning to the WNBA this spring.
In an official press release, Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb expressed his enthusiasm for the signature.
“Adding a Marine Corps that has been trusting our vision since 2019 is a special opportunity to add a Marine Corps to a team that is once again competing for a title,” Kolb said. “The mullins floor spacing and dynamic ability to create scoring opportunities for ourselves and others will add another dimension to our attack in 2025.”
Johannes made an impression in the 2023 final when he hit the first half four three in Game 1 between Liberty and Las Vegas ace. NBA star LeBron James, who joined the game, turned to social media and expressed his respect for Johannes' performance.
During her three-year WNBA career, she averaged eight points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game. He shot 43.7%, 39.5% from the field and 80.6% on the free throw line.
What Marines bring to New York's freedom
Currently she is a member of Turkish club Chav Mersin, with 36.7% including ARC, averaged 13.6 points, 4.4 assists and 2.5 boards including 2.5 boards with 2.5 boards.
Liberty aims to defend the franchise first title, and will post most of last year's major titles on the roster for next season. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Johnkel Jones Breakout rookie Leonie Fevich is expected to become a major contributor again. Additionally, Liberty recently acquired veteran two-way guard Natasha Cloud via trade.
Johannes will probably come out of the bench. There she is ready to give Liberty a shooting punch and can assist with floor space. At 30, she plays countless big games both in the WNBA and overseas, with a crucial rotation player likely to be in playoff time.
Liberty lost two important players from last year's championship roster. Courtney Vanderroute headed to Chicago sky through free agency, while Kayla Thornton headed to the Golden State Valkyries via expanded draft. Cloud will undoubtedly be part of the playmaking that was lost on Vandersloot's departure, but Johannes will similarly strengthen Liberty's rotation next season.
