Bibby, 27, was released by Golden State last month due to a roster crunch created by the conclusion of Eurobasket. Her five games with the Valkyries were successful as she averaged 6.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
“The players we have pulled in have surpassed my expectations,” Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said, with Bibby among that group. “Not only as great teammates and great people, but their skill sets and just being ready,” Nakase added.
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Now, Bibby has to be ready with a new team. She joined the Fever on Friday via a seven-day contract. Her first practice was on Saturday, but she has no idea what day of the week it is after her journey from China to San Francisco and now Indianapolis.
Because of that chaotic trek across the globe to get to Indianapolis, Bibby doesn’t know what day she arrived in the Circle City. She laughed when unable to recall those specifics. It’s been that kind of week. Yet those details are unimportant to the Australian forward. She’s just happy to have another WNBA home.
“I’m really excited. … Just to be back in the W and have another crack is really exciting,” Bibby shared on Saturday. “Really grateful for this opportunity here with the Fever and just excited.”
It all happened fast, and the Fever have had a roster spot open for much of the season. Given their salary cap situation earlier in the year, they weren’t able to add a 12th player. But DeWanna Bonner‘s departure via waiver opened up more spending power — some of which was used to re-sign Aari McDonald. Now, Indiana’s roster is full with the addition of Bibby.
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Considering each Indiana Fever need, frontcourt depth had to be a priority with that roster spot. Aliyah Boston is having a monster season, and Natasha Howard has been playing well of late. But the reserve group of Damiris Dantas, Makayla Timpson, and Brianna Turner has been up-and-down for various reasons — experience or overseas play, to name a few — so Indiana could use another option at the four or five spots. Bibby is certainly that, even if she will be lower on the depth chart.
“Her ability to stretch the floor, to be a shot maker, to create some space on the interior for [Boston],” Fever head coach Stephanie White said of Bibby’s fit and appeal with the team. “Her size, certainly as well, are all things that we liked. And now we get a chance to see.”
Bibby’s best game as a pro came against the Indiana Fever last month. White was away attending a funeral and missed it, but her new player dropped 12 points and pulled in three rebounds during a Valkyries win that night. It was a strong impression.
Saturday, the Maryland product watched some film to see how the Fever play and got up to speed with the offensive sets, staying after practice with some of her teammates to practice plays. Those are required steps to fit in quickly, and she only has seven days to make an impression. Fortunately, she’s over the jet lag already.
“It’s a challenge always, any time you’re integrating,” White said. “I think at the position that she’ll play for us, really being somebody that’s that stretch four in the middle of the floor, there’s not a lot of nuance to how we’ll use her.” The Fever will shorten the playbook with Bibby on the floor for simplicity reasons.
With Golden State, Bibby canned 42.1% of her outside shots and 37.5% of her two-point looks. The stretch-four profile is appealing, though the rookie forward will hope to improve inside the arc. That said, those skills are where Bibby sees her fit with a new team.
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She recalled her impressions of the Fever from her battle against them earlier this season. Physicality, quick pace, and jump shooting all came to mind. It’s a formula Indiana hoped to refine this season with several newcomers, and now Bibby is another one of them. That style suits the new signee well.
“I think as long as I bring some energy and fast pace, everything, just try to find my shots within the offense,” Bibby said of her instructions.
Indiana takes on the Chicago Sky on Sunday. It’s a quick bus ride up from Indianapolis, so Bibby will have a chance to bond with her new squad on the way up North. That’s the first of just two games that fall within the timeframe of her seven-day deal, so she will hope to leave an impression and extend her stay. Her fit helps, but Bibby will have to produce if given chances.
