Latest news with #Vanloo
San Francisco Chronicle
10-08-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Julie Vanloo on returning to face Valkyries after abrupt exit: 'So many emotions'
In an early July blur, Julie Vanloo packed up her San Francisco apartment and flew to New York. Perched outside of Barclays Center, Vanloo anxiously waited to meet her new teammates. The Los Angeles Sparks had called on Vanloo when she was waived by the Golden State Valkyries, and Vanloo boarded a flight to the Big Apple where the Sparks were playing the Liberty. 'I just keep it moving. I was just hoping on another chance,'' Vanloo said. 'It was definitely very hard for me, but I'm always at peace with it at the end of the day. It's a business, and I do respect that.' Saturday evening at Chase Center was a reunion for Vanloo and her former Valkyries. Upon seeing Kate Martin and Veronica Burton on the court pregame, Vanloo quickly embraced the two — laughing, smiling. When Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was asked about Vanloo's return to Chase Center during pregame availability, she said she felt like a 'proud parent.' While separated by 300 miles, Vanloo remains close with her coach and former teammates. Vanloo said she grabbed dinner last night with a couple of Golden State players: 'Definitely a special moment.' 'It's excitement, a bit anxious. It's a bit like, it's so many emotions together,' Vanloo said. 'There's a lot of people I love a lot here, and I do love playing for these fans, so I'm excited to be back in Balhalla.' Given the abruptness of her exit from Golden State — Vanloo learned she was being waived after her plane touched down at SFO upon returning from a successful EuroBasket campaign — Vanloo says she hasn't quite processed how events unfolded. She added that Saturday will likely be a vital step in helping her process it. 'I mean, this morning already, you're walking into the gym just knowing that it's not on my home court anymore and the locker room, like, everything is just different,' Vanloo said. 'I'm not here with hard feelings or whatever. Like I really embrace it, and I'm gonna enjoy it to be back here, because it's truly a special moment that I'm going to share. Especially between the fans and me, because I felt so much support from them.' When Vanloo entered the game late in the first quarter, Golden State fans didn't hesitate to show their pride for their departed Valkyrie — as Vanloo said, she remains firm in the hearts of Bay Area fans. Another homecoming: In the midst of a tight playoff race, both teams remained concentrated on the game ahead, but many couldn't help but muster sentimental feelings for returnees to the Bay Area. Cameron Brink also experienced some of that mushy stuff. Brink played all four years for the Stanford women's basketball team, quickly garnering national attention as she became an NCAA champion, three-time All-American and the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Brink broke the program's record for career blocks (424), single-season blocks (127) and single-game blocks (10) en route to becoming the second overall pick in the WNBA draft behind Iowa's Caitlin Clark. Brink attended Warriors games at Chase Center during her time at Stanford, but never had the opportunity to play on the storied court herself. She said Saturday evening was a dream opportunity for her. 'I think wherever you go to college, you're kind of from there, too. I mean, I spent four years here,' Brink said. 'When we went out as a team, it was in San Francisco. So this is like my second home.' Brink had a cavalry of attendees at Chase Center for her on Saturday night. Stephen and Ayesha Curry, who are close family friends of Brink, were among those in the stands. In the wake of her recent return to the court — her fifth game back from a 13-month rehabilitation process for an ACL tear in June 2024 — Brink was on restricted minutes. But however many minutes she plays, Brink is grateful to suit back up in the purple and gold. 'It's been great. You know, I love what I do, and it was really hard to get away from it,' Brink said. 'So it's great to be back.'
San Francisco Chronicle
04-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Julie Vanloo's wild week after Valkyries move reflects WNBA has issues to fix
The Golden State Valkyries broke a good woman's heart this week, and they hated to see it go down that way, but the recovery process was swift and efficient for all concerned. Things move awfully fast in the WNBA, and this episode was a clear sign that the league's roster limit needs a makeover. In any sport, expansion teams tend to be a ragtag bunch of vagabonds, thrown together in desperation and bound to spend a few years viewing life from the basement. The Valkyries wouldn't hear of it. Sorting through the other teams' excess and venturing boldly into the international market, they crafted an instant success story that has left the entire league in awe – not just on the court but in attendance, marketing strategy and revenue streams. In many ways, Julie Vanloo represented the Valkyries' appeal: clever and athletic, with a gift for showmanship and, on the best nights, the 3-point shot. But things got crowded in the team's backcourt, so much so that when a talented veteran player, Aerial Powers, was signed as a fill-in for players competing in the Eurobasket tournament overseas, she basically just cheered from the bench for two weeks. Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin made it clear they'd be here to stay. Fans couldn't wait to see the exciting Carla Leite return from injury. Kaitlyn Chen, a starter on UConn's national championship team last year, bounced on and off the roster. All of which led to a disheartening conclusion for coach Natalie Nakase: There was no room for the 32-year-old Vanloo, who hadn't been playing particularly well and missed out on the club's recent rise through the standings. This is where it became awkward and inexcusable that the WNBA limits rosters to 12 players – 11 in some cases, due to salary-cap restrictions. 'I mean, what is that?' WNBA legend Candace Parker told reporters. 'You can't even practice with 11.' For various reasons, a number of excellent, well-known players have found themselves waived or released in recent days, among them DeWanna Bonner, Grace Berger, Tiffany Mitchell, Elizabeth Kitley and Haley Jones. Some will resurface, others might be re-thinking their future. It's the Valkyries, however, who most demonstrate why the rosters must expand to 15 players. Were you that familiar with Burton, Kayla Thornton, Temi Fagbenle or Monique Billings before the season started? They've all become mainstays in the league. Golden State saw a vision of the future – international stars increasingly passionate about leaving home – and astutely acquired Leite, Janelle Salaün, Cecilia Zandalasini, Iliana Rupert and Lithuania's 19-year-old Juste Jocyte, who will join the team next year and has all the makings of a backcourt starter. Vanloo was in that group, until she wasn't, but she rebounded like a champ. Immediately picked up by Los Angeles, she needed 48 hours to clear waivers – and she was determined to show up for the Sparks' game in Brooklyn Thursday night. So there she was, standing outside Barclays Center with her baggage, waiting to become officially eligible at 5 p.m. Some three hours later, in a lovely gesture by Sparks coach Lynne Roberts, Vanloo was on the court against the New York Liberty, given two minutes of get-acquainted playing time. Now she's on another stacked roster including Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson, Azura Stevens, Rae Burrell, rookie guard Sarah Ashley Barker and Julie Allemand, a longtime friend and teammate on Belgium's national team, with former Stanford star Cameron Brink soon to return from knee surgery. 'Anything for the dream,' Vanloo told reporters after the game. 'I'm not here to throw stones at Golden State. I come from a family where we don't sit around and be petty about things, we just keep going.' The Pod strikes again • Brandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors isn't just the Valkyries' biggest fan (or at least the most demonstrative), he had a hand in building the roster. Back in December, knowing that he has an analytical mind and follows the women's game closely, general manager Ohemaa Nyanin asked Podziemski if he had any thoughts about the expansion draft. As reported by the San Francisco Standard, he recommended Burton, an off-the-bench player for the Connecticut Sun last season. Nyanin took it to heart, and Burton has blossomed into a heart-and-soul team leader. • Cockeyed theories abounded when Caitlin Clark, a runaway vote leader in the fans' All-Star game balloting, finished ninth among guards in the players' voting. It's a racist league full of jealousy, came the outrage. Really? 'Go after the white girl' hardly seems a prevailing sentiment within a league known for its admirable race relations, and scattered hints of jealousy will always accompany the biggest star. But in truth, Clark has missed nine games due to injury, and her numbers are way down (notably a 1-for-23 slump from 3-point range). I'd bet quite a few voters thought, 'Caitlin's a lock. Let's give some love to other players who deserve some attention.' • How embarrassing is the WNBA's salary structure? Say you're a female tennis player at Wimbledon, and you just lost in the second round. Disappointing for sure, but as Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim pointed out, that result earns you more than the WNBA's median salary for the season. • Also crazy: Members of the Indiana Fever got $30,000 each for winning the recent Commissioner's Cup tournament. Nice, said Clark, but 'you get more for this than you do if you win the league title (just $20,000). Makes no sense.' And if you're wondering, each member of the Oklahoma City Thunder got $828,200 for winning the Finals. • Bar talk at the 3-Dot Lounge as the Chicago White Sox, facing the Giants Friday night at home, chose hideous black pants and red tops as a 'City Connect' uniform. 'I say they go early 20th century,' a man said. 'What was the greatest three-year stretch in White Sox history? 1917-19, when they won one World Series and went to another. Make that the alternate uniform.' 'Wait a minute,' said an appalled customer. 'They fixed the 1919 Would Series. 'Eight men out,' and all that. You're going to honor such a thing? Baseball would never allow it.' 'Uh, excuse me – baseball has become a shameless, disgusting partner of the gambling industry. Everywhere you look: Bet on this, bet on that. Pete Rose gets a pardon. I think they've waived their right to comment.'
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Julie Vanloo finds new home with Los Angeles after getting cut by Golden State earlier in week
NEW YORK — Julie Vanloo stood outside Barclays Center waiting the final minutes to clear waivers. Julie Vanloo finds new home with Los Angeles after getting cut by Golden State earlier in week She had flown to New York a day earlier after getting cut by the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday. When the clcok struck 5, she walked into the arena and joined her new team, the Los Angeles Sparks. It has been a rollercoaster week for the 32-year-old, who helped Belgium win the EuroBasket ttile. She skipped the celebration in Belgium to fly back to San Francisco to rejoin the Valkyries only to be waived an hour after her arrival. 'To hear 1 hour upon arrival: we have to waive you. Honestly, that stung. I understand it's business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut," she said on social media. 'It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.' The Sparks were happy to add her, giving the team another talented guard. 'I'm so happy, so excited for her,' said Sparks guard Julie Allemand, who played on the Belgium team with Vanloo . 'First of all, happy to have her in the team. She's going to help us a lot, but happy for her because, like, the last days were crazy for her.' Allemand said she had been talking to her friend all week and had hoped the Sparks would pick her up after she was cut. She was texting with Vanloo in the final minutes leading up to her joining the team. It takes 48 hours for players to clear waivers. 'It was crazy because, like, we were in the locker room and we were waiting for her,' Allemand said. 'Like she was waiting outside.' Sparks first-year coach Lynne Roberts was thrilled to get Vanloo. In the preseason she torched the Sparks for four 3-pointers in a what felt like under 2 minutes. 'When we heard that the Valkyries had waived her, I immediately said to our GM, let's see if we can get her,' Roberts said. The coach wasn't sure how much if at all Vanloo would play against the Liberty on Thursday night. 'Safe to say, she's not familiar with the playbook quite yet,' Roberts said. 'But, you know, we'll see. I'd like to get her out there just a little bit.' WNBA: /hub/wnba-basketball This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
San Francisco Chronicle
03-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
How much time will Valkyries' EuroBasket participants need to recover?
The flight back to San Francisco for Golden State Valkyries players returning from EuroBasket was about what you'd expect: long and exhausting, but filled with the anticipation of reuniting with their team. And just as Janelle Salaün (France), Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy) and Temi Fagbenle (Great Britain) were excited to see their teammates, Golden State opened its arms wide for their return. 'Big hugs, again, it's a family reunion, we haven't seen them in a while,' said head coach Natalie Nakase. 'Temi was obviously energetic, same thing, Ja and Ceci, just getting to hear their experiences too … they came back healthy, that's the biggest thing.' The team is focused on the schedule ahead, which resumes Saturday in Minnesota. That gives the returning Valkyries a chance to readjust to the time difference and recover from the heavy minutes played overseas. But the question is: How much time will be needed? Each of the returnees was on the court during Thursday's practice. Ahead of the game against the Lynx, it remains unclear who will be in the starting lineup. 'We sat down with them in terms of watching a little bit more film. We made some adjustments, added some things, so just kind of getting them caught up, but also allowing them the pace and the space to come when they know (what time it is) in California,' Nakase jested. 'I asked Janelle, 'What time is it?' 'It's practice time,' and I'm like hey man, that's the Ja I know, so just letting them integrate on their pace.' While Golden State's players away at EuroBasket focused on their tasks overseas, the Valkyries at home didn't let the absences affect their performance. The Valkyries went 7-4 in June and Nakase was named the WNBA Coach of the Month on Thursday. The team went 5-2 without Salaün, Zandalasini, Fagbenle and guard Julie Vanloo. 'I think that's just kind of the name of our game, it's the next man up,' said guard Kate Martin. 'And everybody's going to do their job and do it to the best of their ability. And so when you have players who just want to work extremely hard and do whatever's needed for the team, good things will happen. And I think that's what's so special about them.' Vanloo, who played for Belgium at EuroBasket, was waived by the Valkyries on Monday. The move drew some criticism on social media because she found out only after flying back to San Francisco. But Vanloo didn't remain without a team for long as she was claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday. Like Vanloo, Salaün is eager to return to the WNBA court. 'I just want to be done with EuroBasket, put it behind, and just be focused on here, the W,' said Salaün. 'I've been traveling a lot lately, it's been nonstop, and you gotta get used to it. I mean, it's my job, I choose to do that, so there is … not a lot of doubt and question about what I'm doing.' Salaün helped France to a fourth-place finish at EuroBasket, missing the podium to extend a 16-year streak seeking a title. France lost 65-64 to Spain in a June 27 semifinal. Leaving EuroBasket in such fashion, Nakase believes, will fuel Salaün's performance for Golden State. 'She felt that it wasn't what she wanted over there, what was the goal, and so I think she knows that that drives her to be motivated to win here, continue to get better,' Nakase said. 'I mean, again, she's still here working (after practice) so that says a lot.' The returning players are certainly welcome, but Nakase is now forced to re-examine playing time, who starts and who comes off the bench. 'Conversations will be continuous until we get to Minnesota,' Nakase said. 'I learned through personal conversations with Temi and (Tiffany Hayes), they always said, 'Coach, you know, whether I start or I don't start, I don't care. I want to do whatever it takes.' That's a vital statement right there. … I think that's kind of a staple of why we are a team. We sacrifice for the better of the team.'
San Francisco Chronicle
03-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Julie Vanloo finds new home with Los Angeles after getting cut by Golden State earlier in week
NEW YORK (AP) — Julie Vanloo stood outside Barclays Center waiting the final minutes to clear waivers. She had flown to New York a day earlier after getting cut by the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday. When the clcok struck 5, she walked into the arena and joined her new team, the Los Angeles Sparks. It has been a rollercoaster week for the 32-year-old, who helped Belgium win the EuroBasket ttile. She skipped the celebration in Belgium to fly back to San Francisco to rejoin the Valkyries only to be waived an hour after her arrival. 'To hear 1 hour upon arrival: we have to waive you. Honestly, that stung. I understand it's business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut," she said on social media. 'It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.' The Sparks were happy to add her, giving the team another talented guard. 'I'm so happy, so excited for her,' said Sparks guard Julie Allemand, who played on the Belgium team with Vanloo . 'First of all, happy to have her in the team. She's going to help us a lot, but happy for her because, like, the last days were crazy for her.' Allemand said she had been talking to her friend all week and had hoped the Sparks would pick her up after she was cut. She was texting with Vanloo in the final minutes leading up to her joining the team. It takes 48 hours for players to clear waivers. 'It was crazy because, like, we were in the locker room and we were waiting for her,' Allemand said. 'Like she was waiting outside.' Sparks first-year coach Lynne Roberts was thrilled to get Vanloo. In the preseason she torched the Sparks for four 3-pointers in a what felt like under 2 minutes. 'When we heard that the Valkyries had waived her, I immediately said to our GM, let's see if we can get her,' Roberts said. The coach wasn't sure how much if at all Vanloo would play against the Liberty on Thursday night. 'Safe to say, she's not familiar with the playbook quite yet,' Roberts said. 'But, you know, we'll see. I'd like to get her out there just a little bit.' ___
