Ben Pickman wrote about Marine Johannès in July. She has 14 points at halftime as the Liberty lead the Aces 49-46.
Heading into Marine Johannès’ home debut last July, the New York Liberty guard felt stressed, knowing that a crowd of thousands was coming to see the team play. Johannès had suited up for New York before, in 2019, but Barclays Center was a new environment for her. The WNBA season was also already a month in.
What emerged out of any feelings of anxiety was a magical moment. With less than a minute to play until halftime against the Chicago Sky, a driving Johannès, a step inside the free-throw line, whirled the basketball behind her back to an open Stefanie Dolson, who was stationed at the top of the 3-point arc. Johannès had not been looking at the Liberty center when she let the ball go. Chicago defenders didn’t see the pass coming either, and were in no position to close out. Dolson sank the open triple. The New York bench rejoiced.
Johannès might be the WNBA’s most creative passer, though Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray can make a case for that honor as well. She’s a budding star in America, having already established acclaim abroad. “In terms of women’s basketball, she’s by far the most popular French player ever,” Cabioc’h says….
