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Emma Meesseman Returns to States and Resumes Form

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Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty center Emma Meesseman (33) drives towards the basket as Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) defends during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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Emma Meesseman has largely made a name for herself overseas, establishing herself as one of the greatest European players ever. The list of her international accomplishments is astonishing:

However, many are either unaware or are just now learning that Meesseman was a fantastic WNBA player. She made two All-Star teams with the Washington Mystics, leading the team to their first title in 2019 and winning Finals MVP — which is perhaps the performance she’s known for the most. In her last full W season in 2022, she was seen as a consensus top-20 player in the league.

The world watched her shine in the Paris Olympics, then in Eurobasket 2025, and wondered what a WNBA return would look like. Many teams came calling to make it happen, but Meesseman chose the bright lights of New York.

Now, in her shiny new seafoam colors, Emma Meesseman is once again amongst the league’s elite.

https://twitter.com/EuroBasketWomen/status/1937962232241176616

Setting a Seafoam Standard

Looking at Emma Meesseman’s stat line in her seven Liberty appearances, a few things jump out.

Her points per game, 15.3, are already third on the team, trailing only Breanna Stewart and team leader Sabrina Ionescu. She’s third in rebounding as well. Her 5.7 rebounds per game only trails Stewart and Jonquel Jones. It’s also important to point out that Sandy Brondello only just recently took her off of a minutes restriction, making her counting stats even more impressive.

Speaking of impressive, that doesn’t even begin to describe Meesseman’s efficiency numbers. Her splits since returning sit at 51.9/60/90.5.

Yes, that’s 50% from the field, 60% from three, and 90% from the line. That’s beyond efficient; she’s been lights out every time the ball leaves her hands in a Liberty uniform. Emma has actually already completed a 50/40/90 season, the landmark of efficiency, back in 2019, so the efficiency bug has been biting her for a long time. However, this current run of form is far beyond even that.

Meesseman is in a stratosphere of her own right now. She’s the only player in the league on a pace for 50/40/90 year, let alone a 50/50/90 or a potential 50/60/90 year.

On the other side of the court, Meesseman has been solid with a defensive rating under 100 at 98.2. This places her in the top five on the team in that category, showing that she’s not just a one-way player on the court. Her impact is felt all across the board for the Liberty, as the team is 4-2 since she started playing.

Meesseman has been fantastic, and the Liberty’s investment in her services has been worth every penny.

Stacking Up To The Best: Now and All-Time

Emma Meesseman’s start with New York not only sizes up with the best of today, but it could make its way into WNBA folklore.

Currently, Meesseman is one of six players — the only Liberty player, as well — scoring 15+ a night on 50% shooting. That list shrinks to just her and Napheesa Collier once you add free-throw shooting splits. Include Meesseman’s gaudy 57% three-point shooting clip, and she stands alone.

She has 10 games remaining to maintain these numbers; assuming she does would be a safe bet given her current form.

Meesseman’s current splits would give her the 16th ever qualified 50/40/90 season. Should she keep this up, she’ll become the first player to have multiple 50/40/90 seasons in league history. Her current splits would give her the second 50/60/90 season in league history, though that’s a big ask for her to see through, given she’s not known for her three-point shooting.

Putting it all together with her 15/5/3 averages makes another season the league has never seen before. Only accounting for points, Meesseman would record the fourth season averaging 15+ on 50/40/90 splits ever.

Is the sample size small at the moment? Sure, but there’s no denying that what Meesseman is doing is spectacular and has the chance to be historic.

Winning Basketball

Emma Meesseman plays efficient, effective, and elite-level basketball. However, above all else, she plays winning basketball.

The laundry list of overseas achievements to her name is a testament to her ability to win, and that hasn’t stopped in New York. The Liberty are 4-3 in the seven games Meesseman has played, and she’s played a part in all four victories.

In the first two games, Meesseman, in limited minutes, put in double-digit performances to lift New York past Dallas and Connecticut. Then, in her second meeting with Dallas, she fueled a dominant first half for New York by contributing 14 points. That would be enough to survive a second half surge from the Wings for her third win.

Then, against the Sparks, Meesseman had her best game of the year — a 24-point double-double, which led all scorers in a thrilling 105-97 Liberty victory.

Even in New York’s losses, she was really only off in the matchups with the Lynx. In the Liberty’s defeat against the Aces, Meesseman again scored 24 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double.

Meesseman’s impact is felt everywhere — on the stat sheet, with observing eyes and in the win column. As the playoffs draw closer, the pedigree of Meesseman can only be a benefit to the Liberty.

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Written by
Joseph Amoateng

Joseph, a sporting fanatic from Texas, has stake in many different games—basketball, both football's, baseball, etc.—but excels in the department of his favorite team and his first love, the Dallas Cowboys. Along the way, he's welcomed the Mavericks, Rangers and even branched out to New York to show his love to the Liberty. Joseph is in his 4th year studying communication at UTSA, and is a writer for The Lead.

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