Emma Meesman’s Highlight Night with Liberty
Emma Meesman, a forward for the Liberty, stood at Centre Court on Tuesday night, absorbing the excitement all around her.
She had just snapped a photo with actor and sports enthusiast Ben Stiller, celebrating after the Liberty’s 85-76 victory over the Wings. Her teammates were giving a quick postgame interview through a speaker system at Barclays Center, beaming with pride behind her.
In a lively moment, Natasha Cloud led the crowd in a chant of “Emma,” creating a joyful atmosphere. It was all a bit much for Meesman, but it was also a big part of why she chose to return to the WNBA after a 2½-year break.
“That’s something I’ll never forget,” she reflected after decompressing for a moment. “I didn’t think a venue like Barclays could create such an experience for me. I’m just a Belgian playing the game I love, and this really hits home.”
Being in New York for only her second game with the Liberty, Meesman was already making a significant impact since joining the team. Despite the absence of three key players, she showcased her potential to elevate the team on both offense and defense.
Defensively, Meesman is a true rim protector, capable of switching across various positions. Her length allows her to disrupt passing lanes and block shots effectively.
Cloud encouraged reporters to have Meesman show off her impressive reach. “They’re massive, guys,” said Cloud, who contributed 12 points and six assists. “Meesman brings so much versatility to our already strong roster.”
Meesman’s skills on offense are varied; she excels in both high and low actions, pick-and-pop plays, and precise passing. In her second performance, she ended with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
Her quick adaptation hasn’t surprised Cloud or Sabrina Ionescu. “That’s exactly why we wanted her here,” Ionescu mentioned. “It’s refreshing to see how she’s hitting the ground running without needing a transition period.”
What aided Meesman’s adjustment was the resemblance of the Liberty’s play style to European basketball, something Ionescu noted. Even though Ionescu didn’t play alongside Meesman in this game, they had already started discussing various court scenarios and learning about each other’s game.
“It’s been quite enjoyable so far,” Ionescu shared.
Meesman indicated that practicing against each other has made her feel more at ease, especially with her 15 points and 10 rebounds on Tuesday night. “It helps me feel like I fit in a bit quicker,” she said about her teammate Jones. “It feels very familiar.”
The Liberty’s record improved to 19-10, holding second place behind the Lynx, while the Wings fell to 8-22, tied for last place with the Sky and the Sun.
Next up, the Liberty will take a much-needed two-day break before heading to Dallas for their season encounter against the Wings.
