Chloe Bibby on Indiana Fever, fast-paced offense, fit, physical team
The newest member of the Indiana Fever met with reporters Saturday in Chicago. She likes the fit, and detailed her journey from China back to the WNBA.
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INDIANAPOLIS – Chloe Bibby was in China when she received word earlier this week the Indiana Fever were signing her to a seven-day contract.
The 6-foot forward already had a few things packed for the trip from San Francisco, so instead of going back to her native Australia, she returned to America, making it to Indianapolis in time for the Fever’s practice Saturday afternoon.
“It all happened pretty fast, but I’m super grateful,” said Bibby, who will likely make her Fever debut Sunday at Chicago (3 p.m., ABC). “To be back in the W and to have another crack is really exciting. … I’m taking it all in stride right now and going one step at a time, but everyone’s been super helpful. It’s been a good transition.”
Bibby began the season with the Golden State Valkyries, appearing in two preseason games before re-signing with the team on June 15. She appeared in five games during that second stint, averaging 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds, and shooting 42% (8-for-19) from 3. Her best game of the season came against the Fever, wherein she scored 12 points with three rebounds over a season-high 24 minutes.
Bibby was waived by Golden State on June 30.
The former Mississippi State Bulldog and Maryland Terrapin helped her national team, the Australia Opals, win gold at the FIBA Women’s Asia World Cup earlier this month, averaging 8 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Coach Stephanie White said Bibby’s size and ability to stretch the floor and create space inside for Aliyah Boston will be beneficial for the Fever, who had an open roster spot after beginning the season with just 11 players because of salary cap restrictions. “She came in, she studied the offense and she’s been good.”
“It’s a challenge any time you’re integrating a new player midseason, but I think at the position she’ll play for us — that stretch 4, middle of the floor — there’s not a lot of nuance to how we’ll use her,” White said. “We’ll shorten the playbook a bit, make it specific to ways that we can continue to stretch the floor when we put her out there with AB.”
For her part, Bibby said Indiana’s “fast-pace, shoot the 3-ball” offense suits her style quite well. She just needs to “bring some energy,” play with tempo and try to find her shots within the offense.
“I’m getting to know the girls and (developing) chemistry,” Bibby added. “It takes time, but we’re trying to build that quickly.”
Asked if things are beginning to slow down for her following the journey from San Francisco to China to Indianapolis, Bibby smiled and responded: “I’m feeling a little bit settled now. I have had a lot of sleep, which is great, so I think I’ve gotten over the jet lag.”
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