Second-Year WNBA Player Sends Message to Fans After Being Released
Julie Vanloo's heart is still in San Francisco.
The Los Angeles Sparks guard began the season with the Golden State Valkyries, appearing in nine games for Golden State where she averaged 4.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Vanloo was controversially cut from the Valkyries after her return from winning the FIBA EuroBasket tournament with the Belgian national team. Vanloo reportedly skipped her team's celebration to make it back to the Valkyries only to find out that she had been cut.
The Sparks picked Vanloo up a few days later. In four games so far with Los Angeles, Vanloo has averaged 4.5 points, 1.8 assists and 0.5 rebounds.
Vanloo's departure has been one in a growing list of players released by the Valkyries in their first season as a franchise. Valkyries fans have seemed especially hurt by losing Vanloo. Fans have been spotted with signs at Valkyries games calling for her return.
Vanloo seems to have no love lost for Golden State, despite the controversial nature of her departure, and shared a message on her Instagram acknowledging the fans of her former team.
In the Instagram story post, Vanloo shared a screenshot of Valkyries fans in the crowd during a game wearing purple wigs and holding a sign that read, "Vanboooooo, Bring Back Vanloo"
Vanloo appreciated the message because she captioned the story, "Valkyries fans in my heart 💜"
The Valkyries and Sparks don't face off again until Saturday, August 9, so Vanloo will have to wait some time before suiting up against her former team.
Bio: Jack Haslett is a writer and photographer covering Golden State Valkyries basketball for Sports Illustrated. Jack has previously published work with the Sporting Tribune, the Long Beach Current and DIG Magazine, covering sports, community events and news. A graduate from Long Beach State University, Jack has a passion for writing, photography and all things sports.