Jun 9, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo (35) celebrates in the second half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
San Francisco, California – Julie Vanloo had just helped make history. As the veteran guard stepped off a flight from Greece into the Bay Area, she carried with her not just the glow of Belgium’s first-ever EuroBasket title, but the weight of personal pride: she had made the all-tournament second team, posting 9.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. It should have been a triumphant return.
Instead, it ended with heartbreak.
Roughly 18 hours after she landed — and only hours after sharing a post from Chase Center with a heart drawn over it — the Golden State Valkyries announced they were waiving Vanloo. “Literally just touched down in the Bay,” she wrote in an Instagram story, followed by a broken heart emoji. “I need some time to process all of this man and put my feelings into words. I can’t right now.”
The decision set off a wave of criticism online, with fans and even fellow players blasting the timing and handling of the move. “Making her miss a unique moment in Belgium is crazy,” wrote Belgian teammate and EuroBasket MVP Emma Meesseman in the comments of the Valkyries’ Instagram post.
Vanloo, 32, had played a supporting role for Golden State before leaving for international duty, averaging 4.6 points and 4.1 assists in 20 minutes per game across nine appearances. She provided one of the season’s most memorable moments when she drilled three consecutive three-pointers in the team’s inaugural game and roared to the crowd. But her overall performance was uneven. She committed 2.6 turnovers per game, and the Valkyries were outscored significantly during her minutes — her net rating of minus-22.5 was the worst among any player not on the struggling Connecticut Sun.
Since Vanloo’s departure for EuroBasket, the Valkyries have found their footing. Golden State is 5-2 in her absence, with turnovers down and the defense much improved. Kaitlyn Chen, signed as a hardship replacement, has flourished in Vanloo’s bench guard role, even closing games during tight finishes.
By waiving Vanloo, Golden State frees up a permanent roster spot — one many expect will go to either Chen or forward Laeticia Amihere. But the optics of the move remain sour. Vanloo skipped a once-in-a-lifetime celebration with her national team to return to a team that had already moved on. The basketball logic might be defensible. The timing? Much harder to explain.
