Friday night's Liberty home opener at Barclays Center delivered plenty of drama, but the biggest surprise didn't come from the usual stars. While Breanna Stewart's 31-point masterclass and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's triumphant return from the 2024 WNBA Finals—complete with a nasty crossover that sent Sun defender Gianna Kneepkens to the hardwood—were certainly impressive, it was an unlikely hero who stole the show.
Julie Vanloo, a 33-year-old guard who joined the Liberty roster less than 24 hours before tip-off, nearly recorded a triple-double in the team's dominant 106-75 season-opening victory. Vanloo posted 12 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists, and a steal in just 22 minutes off the bench—a performance that seemed almost impossible given her journey to get there.
The veteran's path to this moment was anything but smooth. Vanloo began the 2026 WNBA training camp with the Los Angeles Sparks, only to be cut by the team for the second straight year. The setback nearly pushed her to give up on her WNBA dreams entirely. "I'm a bit overwhelmed. It was a tough week," Vanloo said after flirting with a triple-double. "I'm just trying to take it all in. Staying positive, staying confident. I had a lot of conversations with my family, my close people." A heartfelt talk with her mother ultimately convinced her to keep chasing her dream.
Her opportunity came via a hardship contract, as the Liberty were down five players due to injuries and overseas commitments. She landed in Brooklyn from Los Angeles at 1 a.m., one of two hardship signees along with New York native Aubrey Griffin. Less than 24 hours later, she was on the court, making an immediate impact.
Teammate Marine Johannes, who scored 17 points including five three-pointers, wasn't surprised by Vanloo's breakout. "I played with Julie when I was younger, and I play against her a lot overseas with the national team. I know she's this kind of player," Johannes said. "When she's aggressive and playing with confidence, she can shoot the three, she can pass the ball. She's a great point guard, and she's fitting with our style of play. I know she was tired, but it was a great game for her."
For a player who averaged just 5.2 points and 3.2 assists over her first three WNBA seasons, Friday night was a reminder that perseverance can lead to unforgettable moments. And for a Liberty team looking to build on last season's success, Vanloo's performance is exactly the kind of depth that championship runs are made of.