Bibby, 26 at the time, was three years removed from her collegiate playing days. Since then, her pro career featured two training camp invites (Minnesota in 2022 and Golden State in 2025) but no WNBA opportunities. Instead, she spent time in Australia, Poland and Spain to make her mark — Bibby was the MVP of both the Polish Basket Liga Kobiet (2024) and the Spanish Liga Femenina (2025).
“This is the biggest stage in the world and the best competition. So it’s always at the top, and that’s where you want to be,” Bibby told The IX of the WNBA during a one-on-one conversation.
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Despite the strong resume, Bibby was cut after both of her training camp appearances and still was without a WNBA opportunity. That is, until June of this year. And it was an ungodly hour of the day when Bibby found out the Golden State Valkyries wanted to sign her to a contract.
“I was in Australia, so [big] time zone difference as well. So I actually think I got a text message from my agent in the middle of the night. And I was like ‘Holy shit,’” Bibby explained. “I think he called me at like 5 a.m. I was like ‘What do you want? Why are you calling me?’ And then I was like ‘Oh, okay, absolutely!’”
Bibby couldn’t fall back asleep. She was too excited, then she cried. She called her mom and dad. It was finally happening. Bibby was WNBA bound. She spent the rest of the morning getting organized for her trip to the Bay — with a full day of flying ahead.
Her arrangement with the Valkyries was short-lived. It was a two-week partnership that ended when Golden State got many players back from EuroBasket. But for Bibby, it meant so much. She had finally cracked into the greatest league in the World and gotten a chance to prove herself. It meant everything, and more than just emotionally.
It also meant a chance to play on that stage. Her debut outing came against the Fever, fittingly, and she scored 12 points in her first game. To this day, that is Bibby’s career high. Three days later, the Aussie forward had 11 against Connecticut. She rained in threes, a skill she improved during her European dominance.
So while Bibby’s time in Golden State was shorter, it was still significant. She not only accomplished a major dream but produced enough that she was on the radar of other WNBA teams.
Enter the Indiana Fever, who had a hole in the frontcourt after DeWanna Bonner’s departure earlier this season. And with their reserves providing inconsistent play at the time, Bibby was added on a 7-day agreement in late July. It was a whirlwind of a week, but Bibby got to the Circle City. And just like with Golden State, she produced quickly — the rookie forward had 24 points in just 28 minutes of play across her first three appearances.
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Her ability to stretch the floor was a new element for the Fever, and one they found vital. They didn’t need to continue the evaluation process. After the 7-day contract expired, Indiana and Bibby agreed to a full-season deal. She was in the WNBA and could breathe — this was a more permanent arrangement.
She cried again. Now 27, Bibby had made it on to a team and had a real role in helping them win. “I was honestly just grateful for both opportunities, really. I didn’t know this would lead to me staying for the rest of the season,” Bibby shared. “When it did turn into, ‘Hey, you’re going to stay,’ I cried again. Obviously, [I’m] very excited about that. Both high emotions, just happy.”
Not only had a dream been realized, but basketball became easier. Bibby admitted that in her first game for the Indiana Fever, a key weekend battle with the Chicago Sky, she entered with nerves. She tried to stay level with the classic “it’s just basketball” mentality, and it did keep her present. But it’s never that simple for a player trying to leave an impression.
That she did, though, banging in two 3-point looks and scoring eight points in just the first half. It was already clear that Bibby’s spacing at the four was a new element for the Fever, and they continued to rely on it. During a recent injury absence for the Australian forward, Fever head coach Stephanie White felt those missing abilities.
“The ability to spread the floor for [Aliyah Boston],” White said of what the Fever have been missing while Bibby was sidelined with a knee issue. “Really, to have another person that can knock down a shot.”
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Bibby is healthy again and was active for the team’s most recent game, a key win over the Los Angeles Sparks. She’s now been with the Fever for over a month and has been, to the extent possible, able to put roots down with a WNBA team for the first time.
“Definitely, everyone’s super lovely,” Bibby said of feeling established even though she is traveling so much. Indiana has gone on two longer road trips since adding the Maryland product. “Everyone’s been so nice. And I feel like I’m building those connections and chemistry with the girls.”
Bibby’s journey shows just how hard it can be to break into the association. A strong collegiate resume wasn’t enough for her to get drafted. Two MVP awards overseas weren’t enough for her to make it through a training camp even after the league expanded. She kept getting better but still couldn’t quite achieve her dream despite getting closer.
The Horsham, Australia native admits that doubt crept in. She saw so many talented players in Europe that couldn’t get an opportunity, a constant reminder of how tough a breakthrough could be. But her strong play was noticed. The MVP awards kept her on the map for teams. And at 5 a.m. one day, it paid off.
“I had to get those two back-to-back MVPs to even get a chance over here. So really grateful to have that and be here now,” Bibby said. “But honestly, that’s just kind of what it is. There’s so many good players over in Europe. That’s why the league needs to expand, because there’s just players sitting over there that deserve an opportunity.”
As the years went by and Bibby still hadn’t made a WNBA roster, she had to lean on others for advice and support. Family was first, of course — the same people she called when she finally got her Valkyries contract. Other players were meaningful, too. They all understand the struggle of the overseas grind, which requires spending nine months every year away from home. It’s hard. There are fun parts, but there’s a reason many players call it a struggle.
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In many ways, Bibby found joy in her tough European adventures. But she was always looking for something more. Finally, in June, she found it. It made the grind even more rewarding. “It’s difficult, it’s hard, it’s different,” she said of the experience.
As a result, Bibby was more appreciative of the chance when she finally got it, hence the tears and the middle-of-the-night excitement. She worked so hard, and it paid off. Just like her Indiana Fever debut in Chicago, though, she’s balancing emotion. The excitement and relief of reaching the WNBA is there, but she knows that growth is still required to keep her spot. With more expansion teams coming, being a standout player is still important.
Overseas, Bibby stood out by winning awards. One of her MVP trophies is still in Spain, where she played most recently before the association. Another sits at home in Australia. Wherever she goes, she is reminded of those successes.
Now, her reminder is simply being on a WNBA roster. But she still keeps her hardware close. Just before being signed by Indiana, Bibby and the Australian Opals won the gold medal during Women’s Asia Cup play — the title game came just five days before she signed with the Fever.
Bibby still has the gold medal in her bag. Her stuff is everywhere after her chaotic year of traveling, but even her Indiana Fever treks feature constant reminders of her journey via physical signs of her triumph. Chloe Bibby’s dreams became reality in the middle of the night, but the moments that helped her ascend to that moment will always be close by.
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