Sparks Sign Julie Vanloo After Sudden Release By Valkyries
The Los Angeles Sparks signed guard Julie Vanloo on June 3, per a release.
Read more: Sparks' Cameron Brink and Sue Bird Argue Controversial WNBA Roster Rule
The addition came just days after Vanloo and now-Sparks teammate Julie Allemand won their second consecutive FIBA EuroBasket crown in a 67-65 victory over Spain — cementing Belgium as just the third national team in history to defend a EuroBasket crown. Aside from the Cats' latest run, only Spain and the Soviet Union have secured back-to-back titles.
Breaking: Sparks claim guard Julie Vanloo off waivers. She’s active for tonight’s game and will wear No. 6.
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) July 3, 2025
Golden State waived Vanloo on Monday. Now, after winning a FIBA EuroBasket title last weekend, she joins Belgium teammate Julie Allemand in LA. pic.twitter.com/VhajFQjw3s
Vanloo skipped the celebration in Belgium in order to make the journey back to San Francisco to rejoin the Golden State Valkyries — but was subsequently waived just an hour after her West Coast arrival.
Fresh off a quartet of roster moves — waiving Shey Peddy and Odyssey Sims to make space for the respective returns of Allemand and Rae Burrell — the Sparks knew Vanloo could be another crucial backcourt piece.
Read more: Sparks’ Kelsey Plum Calls Out Fans for Camping Outside Team Hotel
When I arrived at Barclays, Julie Vanloo was waiting outside the arena
— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) July 3, 2025
25 minutes later, she's on the court taking shots for the Sparks
🤯 https://t.co/JI8spbvgqQ pic.twitter.com/567wxmXBn3
“When we heard that the Valkyries waived [Julie Vanloo], I immediately said to our GM, 'let's see if we can get her.' So, we signed her," head coach Lynne Roberts said. "We were hopeful, and then we wouldn't know for sure until 5 p.m. [on Thursday], so she was actually waiting outside the arena until we got the call with her luggage.
"The things these players go through is remarkable, all to play. Now we've got two Belgian players, the one-two backcourt for the EuroBasket champs… so we're excited about it," she added.
Sparks Sign Guard Julie Vanloo.
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 3, 2025
Welcome to LA, Julie!
📝 https://t.co/Bf0mvTzeKl pic.twitter.com/KIi7xjzRkV
Read more: Sparks Provide Bold Promotion Ahead of 2025 WNBA All-Star Game
Vanloo made her WNBA debut with the Washington Mystics in 2024, appearing in all 40 games and starting 34 before being selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft.
She's averaging over six points and four assists across 51 career games.
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Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reacts to Georgia Amoore's ACL Injury
International Legend Reveals Reason For Rejoining LA
Sparks Waive Two Players Ahead of 2025 Season
Sparks’ Cameron Brink Revisits Feeling After Tearing ACL
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.
Ben Geffner is an award-winning sports journalist and current student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. A greater Los Angeles native now with countless years of extensive and dedicated experience — including beat reporting, writing, play-by-play broadcast, television anchoring, podcasting and video production — Ben remains eager to contribute as credentialed media covering the LA Sparks.
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