Julie Vanloo Shines in Liberty’s Season Opener

It didn’t take long for Julie Vanloo to make an impact during the season opener on Friday, jumping into action just 20 seconds after checking in.

She aggressively grabbed a rebound and quickly passed it to Brianna Stewart, who scored effortlessly.

On Liberty’s next possession, Vanloo received the ball from Pauline Astier and sank a three-pointer. It seemed to ease her nerves a bit.

“Making that first shot was such a relief because…I hadn’t felt myself until then,” Vanloo shared following Liberty’s victory over the Sun.

Just a few days earlier, Vanloo faced uncertainty after the Los Angeles Sparks waived her. During that week, she rode her penny board to Venice Beach, working out and shooting hoops in an effort to reignite her passion for basketball.

“Those were tough times,” she reflected.

Vanloo considered her next steps. Should she return to Belgium? Did she need a break, both mentally and physically? Despite giving her all during training camp with the Sparks, it wasn’t enough to secure a place on their roster.

When her agent contacted her on Thursday about joining Liberty, she hesitated, unsure about signing a hard contract. But a call with her mother, who reminded her of her resilience, shifted her outlook.

“My mom said, ‘You’re not the kind to give up,’” Vanloo recalled. “So, I didn’t. I’m really thankful for this organization. It feels like the weight has lifted off my shoulders, and I’m free to be me.”

From an outsider’s perspective, it was hard to tell that she had only been in the Liberty’s system for 24 hours and arrived in New York around 1 a.m. on Friday.

While she felt tired, the adrenaline was kicking in. She praised her new teammates for their intelligence and how easy they were to play alongside. Chris DeMarco’s system, known for its clarity and spacing principles, proved to be simple for her to grasp.

After the first quarter, she checked the box score to see she had already tallied seven points, three rebounds, and four assists.

“I thought, ‘Wow, this is quite a balanced stat line,’” Vanloo said, astonished.

Ultimately, she finished with 12 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds.

Vanloo didn’t arrive in New York looking to prove anything. Yet, her performance on Friday reinforced her self-belief.

“I definitely think I belong in the WNBA. I didn’t come here to validate myself. I just wanted to play basketball and support the team…Playing here was a dream for me, and I never imagined I’d actually do it,” she expressed.

Vanloo is among two players the Liberty signed to hard contracts following injuries to Sabrina Ionescu, Sato Sabally, and Rebecca Allen, leaving New York with only seven active players.

Once the team returns to full strength, Vanloo may see her situation change. But for now, she’s fully embracing the opportunity.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished, especially considering this is my second year facing these challenges. Staying confident has made all the difference,” she concluded.