It's been a challenging and emotional year for Liberty security guard Courtney Vandersloot after her mother, Jean, died of cancer in June.
Vandersloot started all 31 regular season games, but the 15-year WNBA veteran came off the bench in each of the Ribs' first four playoff contests, including the game, with rookie Leoni Fievic starting. Replaced by 5 people. Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night at Barclays Center.
“Again, that's the thing about life, right?” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said before Tuesday's game. “Basketball is what we do. It's not us. What Sloot went through, I don't want anyone to go through that.
“She coped as well as she could and was great. She's so important to what we do. Of course her role has changed, but that just shows the kind of person she is. She's all class. She's all about the team.”
Vandersloot, a five-time All-Star, had three points, four assists and two steals in 14 minutes in Liberty's 87-77 win in Game 1 on Sunday.
She also came off the bench in each of the team's two games in the season-opening first-round sweep against Atlanta.
Vandersloot said at the beginning of the playoffs that his “mentality hasn't changed” in a reserve role, despite averaging just 15.7 minutes in his first three postseason appearances.
“She is very well cared for here,” Brondello added. “I thought she moved to the bench and took some time for us. I think she handled it well, but it actually helped make us a better team. I think she understands that, and I think that's helping her have even more of an impact on this team.”
Vandersloot took some time off from the team earlier this summer after his mother passed away after a battle with multiple myeloma.
“It's like family, they're there arm in arm, helping out,” said Brondello, who is originally from Australia. “They're going to have good days and they're going to have bad days, but I think she's handled the situation as well as you'd expect. And her mom has been able to go out and do whatever she wants.” I'm very proud of her for what she continues to do.”
Las Vegas coach and Hall of Famer Becky Hammon, who played for Liberty from 1999 to 2006, also praised Vandersloot before Game 2.
She said the Aces dealt with a similar situation after forward Alisha Clark lost her father in 2022.
“It's just heavy. It's hard. They play with broken hearts every night,” Hammon said. “This is a game that has always given them great comfort. No matter what you're going through, when you step on the basketball court, you're happy, and on the court you can escape the pain a little bit.
“With that in mind, Sandy has decided to make changes to his starting lineup, and let me tell you, it's difficult for Sandy as well. Whenever you have to have those conversations, it's because of the respect you have for that player. Because it's difficult. And you're always taking into consideration what they're going through personally, and you're always trying to help them cope with whatever path they're on.”
Hammon added that he was “not surprised” that Vandersloot would continue to be effective in a reduced role.
“She's a ballplayer, that's for sure,” Hammon said. “There's no one who can pass the ball like she can. So it's impressive to perform night in and night out with such a heavy heart. And I think it's hard to be reassigned to a basketball role.
“But at the end of the day, I think Courtney wants to win and she’s going to do whatever her coach asks her to do and put her emotions and everything aside and that’s what being a professional is all about. She is the ultimate professional.”
