WNBA – On fire, Marine Johannès is honest about her return to New York: “I’m more comfortable”.

Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif

Back in the WNBA, Marine Johannès has quickly found her feet with defending champions New York Liberty. Very much at ease in her first two preseason games, she spoke about her progress and her feelings.

Marine Johannès is made for the WNBA game, as her return to New York proves. In Europe, where basketball is highly structured, with a major emphasis on tactics and discipline, the fullback sometimes has to limit herself and refuse to take the shots she loves. Across the Atlantic, with the space left by defenders and the high tempo, she has a blast.

In fact, her coach Sandy Brondello makes no mistake and asks only one thing of her when she comes off the bench: to energize the team’s attack and let her madness speak for itself. For, with or without skill in a match, the mere presence of No.23 on the pitch sows doubt in the minds of her opponents. How many players can pull off such an action, and with such ease?

Marine Johannès talks about her return to the WNBA

It's just what @MarineJ5 doesss ✨🪄

Can confirm we'll never get over the 1-legged 👌's pic.twitter.com/6wQzbv2TVS

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) May 13, 2025

In her first two preseason games, Marine Johannès shone with an average of 11 points and 2 assists, all at a 42% success rate behind the arc. She has been praised by fans, team-mates and the local press alike. Invited to a press conference, she spoke about her evolution and progress.

The thing I’ve improved on since my last WNBA stint is that I’m more aggressive. I attack the basket a lot more. I try to do as many things as possible on the court, and my attacks inside are things I worked on during my absence. I think I’m more comfortable with the team and the way we play than I was two years ago.

I know coach Brondello better, and I know what she asks of her players on the pitch. For the moment I feel good, I’m playing with confidence, and I’m going to try to keep that confidence for the regular season. I’m feeling good at the moment.