Cameron Brink Shares Heartfelt Farewell to Teammate Julie Vanloo After Sparks Waive Her
Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink hated to see teammate Julie Vanloo go.
With days remaining before the 2026 WNBA season opener, the Sparks waived Vanloo and Sevgi Uzun from the roster.
The Belgian guard had signed a training camp contract with Los Angeles. The brass opted not to retain her ahead of the new campaign.
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Vanloo took to Instagram to address her time in L.A. She sent a heartfelt message after the sad news.
“Your worth isn’t determined by the noise around you, but by the quiet confidence within you,” she wrote. “I’ll be fine. I’m built for adversity. My road was never easy, and it never will be. I’m not discouraged. I’m ready to fight.”
The post drew messages of support. This included a statement from Brink, who had an emotional reaction to the unwanted development.
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“Love you so so much ❤️❤️,” she replied.
The Sparks signed Vanloo in July 2025 after the Golden State Valkyries waived her following her return from EuroBasket. She appeared in 26 games off the bench for Los Angeles. Vanloo averaged 2.2 points and 1.2 assists per contest.
The 33-year-old holds averages of 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds across stints with the Washington Mystics, Valkyries and Sparks across two seasons.
Her time in L.A. was brief, but she left a mark on Brink. The 24-year-old forward took a liking to the veteran guard and made sure Vanloo felt the love before they parted ways.
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As for Brink, she enters her third WNBA season hungry for a bounce-back campaign. Injuries have defined her early career. She tore her ACL late in her rookie year and missed the first half of the 2025 season. Across 34 career appearances with Los Angeles, Brink averaged 6.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
The connection between Brink and Vanloo extended well beyond basketball. Their bond reflected the kind of relationship that outlasts a roster spot.
Related: Sparks Star Cameron Brink Catches the WNBA’s Attention on Thursday
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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