The New York Liberty confirmed on Wednesday that they have signed forward Elizabeth Balogun to a developmental player contract. Balogun, a 6‑foot‑1 perimeter player who can both shoot and defend, joins the team as the Liberty look to fill the void left by Leonie Fiebich, who missed the majority of the season due to injury.
Balogun’s background and recent play
Balogun comes to the Liberty after a distinguished college career that spanned five seasons at three schools—Georgia Tech (2018‑2019), Louisville (2019‑2021), and Duke (2021‑2023). In college she averaged 9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Following her collegiate tenure, she played professionally in France’s Ligue Féminine de Basketball, where she continued to develop her perimeter skills.
Internationally, Balogun has been a key contributor for the Nigerian national team. During the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament she appeared in five games, posting averages of 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 36 percent from three‑point range.
Previous North American experience
Before signing with New York, Balogun participated in the Toronto Tempo training camp and appeared in two preseason games. She recorded six points and four rebounds in the first contest and followed with twelve points and a steal in the second, demonstrating the scoring and defensive potential the Liberty hope to harness.
Liberty’s developmental roster
The Liberty already have one developmental player on the roster, Australian forward Anneli Maley, who signed in May. Maley, the recent MVP of Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League, has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 0.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest.
With Balogun’s addition, the Liberty’s developmental squad now has two players who can provide depth and potentially earn regular‑season minutes as the team navigates injuries and roster adjustments.
Team outlook
New York sits at 22‑14 on the season, holding the league’s sixth‑best record. The coaching staff expects Balogun to compete for minutes at the forward position, especially given the need for reliable perimeter defense and shooting. While her exact role remains to be determined, her signing addresses a clear roster need and adds a promising young talent to a team positioned for a deep playoff run.
Balogun’s contract is a developmental deal, meaning she will split time between the main roster and practice squad, with the opportunity to earn a standard roster spot based on performance. The Liberty’s front office expressed optimism that her skill set aligns with the team’s strategic emphasis on versatile, two‑way players.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
