Day: October 16, 2024

If you’ve been watching the 2024 WNBA Finals, you would not be able to tell that New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich is just a rookie.

But that’s the thing, she’s been so much more than that, especially in recent weeks. 

Before entering the WNBA, the 24-year-old German had played on multiple professional international basketball teams. She became a two-time Spanish League MVP and an NBL1 national champion, winning the Grand Final MVP award. Along with being a champion overseas, she has silver and gold medals from competing on Germany’s national team back in 2016 and 2018.

It’s evident that she isn’t a typical rookie, given how much experience she already has, and that’s why she’s been crucial for the Liberty, especially in the playoffs. 

Fiebich has been starting for New York during their 2024 postseason run, but how did she get there?

New York had dealt with a few absences in the regular season by their starters; Betnjijah-Laney missed some time earlier due to a knee injury, and guard Courtney Vandersloot was out a few weeks dealing with a personal matter. That’s when Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello had to experiment with her rotations. Fiebich went on to start 15 games in the regular season, where she averaged 8.4 points per game and had a plus/minus of +179 in total. 

The versatile two-way player gives the Liberty another option to have on offense behind their big 3 of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. She was the team’s best 3-point shooter percentage-wise in the regular season, at an impressive 43.3%, which led all rookies. Not only does she help New York offensively, but her ability to defend multiple positions has made her a notable defensive player, attributing to that +179 plus/minus.

Given the impact Fiebich has had on the team as a starter in the regular season, it made sense for head coach Brondello to continue with that rotation going into the playoffs, despite Vandersloot being available. Within the first game of the playoffs, she quickly made an impact. She scored 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the 3-point line. That is the most points on record by a Liberty rookie ever in their playoff debut. 

Through eight games in the postseason, she’s been averaging 10.4 points per game, with tremendous efficiency shooting 56.9% from the field and 55.9% from the 3-point line. She made more history in Game 1 of the Finals, not only becoming the first rookie to start a Finals game since Ariel Atkins in 2018, but she has hit the most three-pointers by a rookie in a single game, draining five of them.

In addition, she has been vital for New York down the stretch, hitting clutch shots such as her most recent 3-pointer in Game 2 against the Minnesota Lynx. The dagger came after a turnover by Minnesota, with the Liberty up just six points with one-and-a-half minutes to go in the game. Making this gave New York more breathing room and helped secure the win.

Ultimately, not many rookies could hit that shot down the stretch. Fiebich’s past experience playing professionally overseas has enormously developed her basketball IQ. As a former MVP and champion, she knows exactly how to propel her team toward a crucial win. What’s typical of most rookies isn’t typical of her. 

“I love the confidence that she brings,” Brondello said. “We talk about her being a rookie, she’s not really a rookie. She has these experiences and really big moments, the mindset to handle this atmosphere extremely well and to make a play like that.”

For more on Leonie Fiebich and the Liberty, visit AMNY.com

A Brownsville barber who offers free haircuts to people in need was among five recipients of the 2024 David Prize, an annual award recognizing New Yorkers with bold ideas to improve the city.

Gregory Purnell, widely known as “Greg The Barber,” received $200,000 in unrestricted funding through the prize on Sept. 10. He says this will help him expand his community program, the Look Good Feel Good Movement, by developing strategic partnerships with shelters and refining scheduling and budget infrastructure.

With 38 years of barbering experience, Purnell told Brooklyn Paper that he has “always been rooted in community” with his work. At his previous barbershop in Queens, he ran the “Cuts for Grades” program that offered free haircuts to kids who kept up a 65 or above GPA.

Three years ago, he ditched the traditional barbershop setup for a more intimate studio space in Brownsville to allow him to focus on his community work. There, he works on a donation basis to make haircare more accessible, which he views as an essential service that encompasses therapy, social work, and artistry.

“Something as simple as a haircut can have a profound impact on our day-to-day,” Purnell said. “I cut people from all different backgrounds and lifestyles, and I made it a point to develop some level of understanding of how the hair works, and through that, I developed an understanding of different perspectives, cultures and lifestyles.”

Around this time, he also started the “Look Good Feel Good Movement,” which sees him connecting with local shelters and community centers each week to offer free haircuts. Look Good Feel Good also works with the nonprofit Avenues for Justice on youth-focused programs — most recently collaborating on a back-to-school giveaway.

Purnell said that the David Prize money will allow him to expand his community offerings and attract more barbers. By establishing infrastructure for scheduling, tax incentives, and expense budgets, Purnell said he aims to ensure consistent, free barber services for the most vulnerable populations.

He added that he was grateful to be a recipient of the David Prize this year, an opportunity he says is “accessible to everyday people who have genuine intentions for a beautiful place like New York.”

The David Prize, now in its fifth year, awards $200,000 each to five New Yorkers working to tackle social, cultural, economic, or environmental issues across the city. Winners are selected through a year-long process, including an open call for submissions, expert panel reviews, and interviews. The David Prize provides winners with the freedom to pursue their ideas without financial restrictions or required reporting, allowing them to focus solely on their projects.

“We believe in the power of individuals,” said Erika Augustine, executive director of The David Prize. “These recipients represent the best of New York City—relentlessly working to improve it, day by day. Our goal is to seed and celebrate ideas that have a catalytic impact on New York City. These extraordinary people are the lifeblood of the city, and it’s our privilege to support them.”

Fellow 2024 David Prize winners include:

• Meghan Finn: Artistic director of The Tank, an off-off Broadway theater, Finn aims to replicate her theater’s successful model, helping other venues maximize their space and attract new audiences.
• J.C. Hall: A clinical social worker and hip-hop artist, Hall founded a hip-hop therapy program in the South Bronx. His vision is to expand this culturally responsive therapy model citywide, blending mental health support with hip-hop culture.
• Diana Imbert: Founder of Defying Legal Gravity, Imbert is building a legal education program for youth. She envisions a movement to empower everyday New Yorkers with legal knowledge, much like financial literacy efforts.
• Mi Jong Lee: A veteran designer, Lee is working to revitalize the Garment District by automating local production. Her goal is to make New York a hub for agile, high-quality garment manufacturing that meets modern consumer demands.

Nominations for next year’s prize are now open.