The smile is back. After her painful departure from the Golden State Valkyries and her move to the LA Sparks, Julie Vanloo (32) is “very happy” again. After a tough and lonely week, which she reflects on in an extensive interview, the Belgian Cat scored 15 points Thursday night against league-leading Minnesota Lynx (82-91 loss).
WATCH. Julie Vanloo reflects on turbulent week: “I was on the floor”
Vanloo started on the bench against the Minnesota Lynx and ultimately played almost seventeen minutes in her third game for the Sparks. She scored fifteen points, dished out three assists, and grabbed two rebounds against the strong Lynx. Fellow Belgian Cat Julie Allemand played 23 minutes. She scored seven points, dished out four assists, and grabbed two rebounds.
After her strong match, Vanloo was able to join star Kelsey Plum (17 points) and head coach Lynne Roberts at the press conference.
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“I felt really good,” Vanloo said of her match. “I was able to get into my rhythm. That was helpful, because it’s been tough. A week ago, I was completely down, and now I’ve been picked up… I’m so happy. I just want to play basketball, have fun, and help the team. I want to thank this organization for giving me the opportunity.”
Vanloo appeared “very happy” at the press conference. Head coach Lynne Roberts looks on with a smile.
Before the match, Vanloo reflected on her eventful week in an extensive interview with The Mirror.
“I already knew the WNBA is a tough world, not for the faint of heart, if you know what I mean,” said the Belgian Cat. “I knew how much I had to work to get into the league. And that’s why it’s been a real rollercoaster. You go from heaven, where you win a medal with your country, to literally hell. That was mentally difficult, and I’m still processing it all.”
Vanloo also says she has no problem with the Valkyries’ decision to dismiss her. “That’s just part of the league and the sport. But it’s the way they handled my departure. It still feels unfair. I would have liked to have had the choice to come a little later and really be with my family and friends after the European Championship. Now I came ‘home,’ and they immediately told me I had to leave.”
Vanloo, pictured here in action against New York Liberty. Vanloo, pictured here in action against New York Liberty. © Getty Images
A blow Vanloo had to cope with all alone, without her family around her. “I had no one. No friends, no family. That was definitely the hardest part for me, because I would have loved to celebrate that European title with them. But because I was so committed to Golden State, I immediately returned.”
Given how things have gone between Vanloo and the Valkyries, she is now fully focused on her future with the Sparks, she adds. “And I believe this whole process will make me stronger as a player and a person.”
