The Golden State Valkyries have a roster filled with European stars, something that has been a topic for fans in recent weeks — especially since several of those players may choose to depart the team in June to participate in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament for their home countries.
Some players, like Carla Leite, have already said they will skip EuroBasket to stay in the WNBA this season. While speaking to the French-language outlet DH Les Sports+ in an interview published Saturday, Belgian Julie Vanloo acknowledged the dynamic and revealed she isn't quite sure what she will do yet — and that the WNBA might force her hand.
Julie Vanloo says the Valkyries don't want athletes to leave
The Golden State Valkyries' front office is obviously hoping that all of their players will remain on the team's roster throughout the WNBA Season. That's why they chose the athletes they signed, and it's likely the team waived its slate of rookies in part to retain these specific players. It's also understandable that European national teams want their best athletes on the court this summer — but it sounds like that's easier said than done.
Vanloo admitted to the outlet that she isn't sure what decision she will make this year. The decision will "be different for everyone," she explained, and will be impacted by "our WNBA schedule, our role on the team, our fitness, and the club's flexibility." The decision is a difficult one to make, she continued, and "the Valkyries aren't very keen on letting us go."
The players can't be banned from playing for their countries, but "they can threaten to trade us if we go with the national team," Vanloo also said. And the Valkyries aren't the only team facing this problem: Vanloo added that the Seattle Storm's Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga have already committed to missing EuroBasket to stay in the US.
"I'm afraid I'll have to face that ordeal myself," she added.
EuroBasket 2025
This year's EuroBasket will take place June 18-29 and is the first hosted by four countries (Czechia, Germany, Greece, and Italy), which will hopefully make the competition more accessible for fans who want to attend games.
The list of qualified countries includes France, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Portugal, Great Britain, Lithuania, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary, Belgium, Montenegro, and Slovenia. Five Valkyries — Carla Leite, Janelle Salaün, Temi Fagbenle, Julie Vanloo, and Kyara Linskens — are expected to represent their teams (France for Leite and Salaün, Great Britain for Fagbenle and Belgium for Vanloo and Linskens)