On August 9, Sparks guard Julie Vanloo experienced an emotional return to Ballhalla when Los Angeles faced the Golden State Valkyries her former team.
Vanloo had been waived by the Valkyries on July 1, a move that stirred controversy because she had skipped Team Belgium’s EuroBasket Championship celebrations to quickly rejoin Golden State. After an 18-hour flight back to San Francisco, she learned within an hour of arriving that she had been cut.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, she shared how missing the medal ceremony with her family and friends only to be released was painful, even if she understood it was “just business.”
Despite the disappointment, Vanloo has consistently expressed gratitude toward her ex-teammates and Valkyries fans. Ahead of the Sparks–Valkyries matchup, she was open about her mixed emotions. The game ended in a 72–59 loss for Los Angeles, but the homecoming still brought her a sense of connection. On Instagram afterward, she called it “a rollercoaster of emotions but no hard feelings,” drawing affectionate comments from former teammates, including Valkyries fan favorite Kate Martin.
Though Vanloo and the Valkyries have gone their separate ways, the mutual respect and camaraderie within Golden State’s inaugural roster remain strong, bridging the competitive divide between the two franchises.
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