‘It was heartbreaking’: Why Valkyries moved on from Julie Vanloo after EuroBasket stint

OAKLAND — On Monday, the Golden State Valkyries made the surprising move to waive point guard Julie Vanloo. 

The decision came as a shock to many as Vanloo was a fan favorite and had moments of brilliance in the nine games she played with the expansion team. The second-year guard served as a translator for some of the Valkyries’ players and seemed to fit the mold of the type of player that Golden State had built its team around. 

Vanloo skipped out on Belgium’s championship celebration to return to the Bay Area, but found out she was waived when her plane landed at San Francisco International Airport. She was one of three cuts the Valkyries made on Monday in order to make room for forwards Cecilia Zandalasini and Janelle Salaün to return to the roster. Forward Chloe Bibby and guard Bree Hall were also released. 

“It was heartbreaking. It was painful,” Coach Natalie Nakase said after Wednesday’s practice at the Valkyries’ practice facility in Oakland. “I’m not a mom, but it was like I gave away three kids. Julie meant a lot. Chloe meant a lot, even Bree. I wish I could keep them all. Just to be honest, we only have 12 roster spots. They all surpassed our expectations, and we’re just trying to make the most competitive team possible.”

Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin was not made available to media during Wednesday’s practice.  

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Vanloo expressed her disappointment in missing the championship parade, but also thanked the Valkyries for the opportunity.

“After traveling 18 hours back to the Bay, I missed the fan ceremony and the chance to share that special medal moment with my family and friends,” Vanloo said in the post. “I got back to San Fran as soon as I could. I left the party in the middle of the night after the game… To hear 1 hour upon arrival: we have to waive you. Honestly, that stung. I understand it’s business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut. It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.

“Thank you, Golden State Valkyries, for the opportunity. I’m not going to sit here and be sour, that’s just not who I am. I’m a grateful person, and I lead with love. That’s what I’m all about. I’ve come a long way… from dreaming of being in this league, to hoping one day I’d be drafted.”

Nakase said the Valkyries did not know that Vanloo skipped Belgium’s parade at the time they made the decision to cut her. 

“From my perspective, I would say that was respectful because whenever a situation like that happens, you bring them in and as an adult, you say things face to face,” Nakase said. “I think that was out of respect.”

When news of Vanloo’s release became public, many Valkyries players showed support for the 32-year-old point guard as teammates Kate Martin and Temi Fágbénlé left heartfelt comments under Vanloo’s Instagram post.

“We know basketball is a business and you know, I trust our front office and I trust our coaching staff,” Martin said after practice on Wednesday. “The girls that got cut, that got waived, we’re going to miss them dearly. It’s not always going to be the same without them, but it’s been pretty cool to see everybody who’s come in and stepped up and done their role seamlessly.”

The move signals the Valkyries are comfortable moving forward with guard Kaitlyn Chen as the backup point guard. Chen was brought in as one of the players signed to fill the void that Vanloo and others left when they departed for EuroBasket. 

When asked if Chen’s play factored into the Valkyries’ decision to waive Vanloo, Nakase said, “We went 5-2 and we were really competitive. So, I’m definitely not, not looking at that.” 

While she had her moments with the Valkyries, Vanloo wasn’t a perfect player. Her best game came in the Valkyries’ season opener against the Los Angeles Sparks, in which she scored 14 points and hit three straight 3-pointers in the third quarter that brought the Valkyries back from a double-digit deficit. 

But after the game against the Sparks, she had just one game in which she scored 10 or more points. Over the course of nine contests, she averaged 2.6 turnovers and shot just 21.6% from the 3-point line. 

Chen doesn’t have the playmaking abilities that Vanloo has, but she played solid defense and took care of the ball in the five games she’s played. 

Chen was in Nakase’s closing lineup in the Valkyries’ tight win over the Chicago Sky last Friday. The Valkyries said they have been impressed with Chen’s ability to connect lineups and play well on defense. 

She’s averaged just under 20 minutes a game and has seen increased time with the Valkyries’ starting unit with fellow rookie point guard Carla Leite dealing with a back injury. 

“She’s very aggressive and I think that definitely works for us,” Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes said. “She’s coming from the championship UConn team, so she has a lot of that winning experience. … Also her knowledge from the game. I think she has a lot of that and it adds to us, so definitely grateful that she’s here.”

Iliana Rupert update

The Valkyries might not be done with roster moves going forward as French center Iliana Rupert will still have the opportunity to join the team this year, meaning a player will have to be released to make room for her on the roster. 

Rupert has not reported to the team this season, but with EuroBasket finished, the door is open for the 6-4 center to join the expansion team. 

When asked if she expects Rupert to play for the Valkyries this year, Nakase said, “I don’t know. You have to ask the front office that question.”