Latest news with #JulieAllemand
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Julie Allemand has fit in with Sparks amid WNBA return [Exclusive]
The post How Julie Allemand has fit in with Sparks amid WNBA return [Exclusive] appeared first on ClutchPoints. Back during the 2024 WNBA offseason, the Los Angeles Sparks acquired Julie Allemand in a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Sky. Allemand, who had a solid rookie season with the Indiana Fever in 2020, as well as extensive experience playing professionally overseas, was supposed to give the Sparks a quality option at point guard, a position that they hadn't been able to fill since Chelsea Gray departed in free agency. Allemand was making her return to the league after sitting out the 2023 season due to her commitments with the Belgium national team. But her Sparks debut ended up having to be postponed. Allemand suffered an ankle injury before the 2024 season began and ended up missing the entire season. The Sparks suspended her contract in the meantime, so she did not count towards the salary cap. But after injury rehab that went well, the Sparks made the decision to have her join the roster for the 2025 season. After a bit of a transition period where Allemand had to get used to being back in the WNBA and with new teammates, she's been able to flourish in new head coach Lynne Roberts' system. After returning from the Belgium national team, where she won the 2025 Eurobasket championship, Allemand has felt more free and comfortable with the Sparks. 'I think it was hard for me before Eurobasket to find my spot, my place on this team. So Eurobasket helped a lot especially because I came back from an injury, a surgery, so it wasn't easy. I needed some time and I think I was too hard on myself at the beginning with the Sparks,' Allemand told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. 'I was just like, okay, now I'm going to bring everything that I had over there and just try to be better. . .I'm not thinking too much. I think I was thinking way too much.' Julie Allemand's fluid role for the Sparks The added confidence that Allemand brought back from Eurobasket has come at a crucial time for the Sparks. A team that has been searching for consistency throughout the regular season so far, the Sparks have found themselves in the middle of the playoff hunt as the second half of the season gets underway. With the Sparks showing improved play on the court, Julie Allemand has been a big factor in that transformation. She began the season coming off the bench and started a few games amid multiple injuries and absences. But since the Sparks decided to part ways with veteran guard Odyssey Sims, Allemand has been a permanent fixture in the starting lineup alongside Kelsey Plum in the backcourt. With four other starters who can score the ball, Allemand serves as a connector of sorts. She keeps the ball moving and keeps the offense flowing while not needing shot attempts to be effective. In the past five games, Allemand has racked up double digits in assists in two of them. She's had no less than four assists in any of them. She's only scored in double digits in one of those games, and the Sparks have won all five. Once Allemand returned from the national team, Roberts told her that the team needed the player who was on display at Eurobasket. 'Coach said, 'we're really happy and really proud of you what you did over there, and we want you to be back and not think, and just play your game,' and I think that's just what I'm trying to do,' Allemand said. 'Just being myself, being the point guard that I can be, helping my teammates, involve my teammates when they are on the court, and just be myself.' With the first week of the second half of the regular season complete, Allemand has appeared in a total of 15 games, including eight starts, at a little over 23 minutes per game. She's been averaging 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from the three-point line. One of her best all-around games of the season came during the Sparks' win against the Connecticut Sun on July 24. She finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals while shooting 4-of-5 from the field. But one of her biggest qualities she brings to the Sparks is her ability to be the primary ball-handler and take some of the pressure off Kelsey Plum. Adjusting to play with another strong guard can be challenging, and Allemand and Plum have developed a strong chemistry since the beginning of the season. 'I think we can really create for each other. . .we just needed to find time. It was the first time I was playing with her. I didn't even have training camp, so it took time,' Allemand said. 'But what we already saw is good. And I hope we're going to keep going like that, getting to know each other. That's going to be the most important thing. And then just play our game. I like it. I think we can do great things.' Julie Allemand's return to the WNBA It's been three years since Julie Allemand was last in the WNBA. She had a strong rookie season in the bubble with the Fever, averaging a career-best 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. She sat out the 2021 season due to personal reasons. In 2022, she had been traded by the Fever to the Sky, but was unable to build upon her rookie year. Following a two-year hiatus that involved injury rehab, Allemand found herself back in a league that had changed tremendously since she last played. While the upcoming CBA negotiations hang like a cloud over the entire league, Allemand is hopeful that the WNBA will continue to grow. 'Last time I was here, we didn't have charter flights. So first of all, I was impressed. But I think it's getting better and better,' Allemand said. 'The improvement is good, and also the CBA will be different next season. So I'm really excited and looking forward to it. It's nice to be back and play games. I want to enjoy it, and I can see the improvements.' Related: Sparks' tunnel fits turn heads before Liberty clash Related: Sparks' Cameron Brink gets a major injury update from Lynne Roberts
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Julie Vanloo Finds New Home With Los Angeles After Getting Cut By Golden State Earlier In Week
Julie Vanloo stood outside Barclays Center waiting the final minutes to clear waivers. She had flown to New York a day earlier after getting cut by the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday. When the clock struck 5 p.m., she walked into the arena and joined her new team, the Los Angeles Sparks. It has been a rollercoaster week for the 32-year-old who helped Belgium win the EuroBasket title. She skipped the celebration in Belgium to fly back to San Francisco to rejoin the Valkyries, only to be waived an hour after her arrival. '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,' she said on social media. 'It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.' The Sparks were happy to add her, giving the team another talented guard. 'I'm so happy, so excited for her,' said Sparks guard Julie Allemand, who played on the Belgium team with Vanloo. 'First of all, happy to have her on the team. She's going to help us a lot, but happy for her because, like, the last days were crazy for her.' Allemand said she had been talking to her friend all week and had hoped the Sparks would pick her up after she was cut. She was texting with Vanloo in the final minutes leading up to her joining the team. It takes 48 hours for players to clear waivers. 'It was crazy because, like, we were in the locker room and we were waiting for her,' Allemand said. 'Like, she was waiting outside.' Sparks first-year coach Lynne Roberts was thrilled to get Vanloo. 'In the preseason, she torched the Sparks for four 3-pointers in what felt like under 2 minutes. When we heard that the Valkyries had waived her, I immediately said to our GM, 'let's see if we can get her,'' Roberts said. The coach wasn't sure how much, if at all, Vanloo would play against the Liberty on Thursday night. 'Safe to say she's not familiar with the playbook quite yet,' Roberts said. 'But, you know, we'll see. I'd like to get her out there just a little bit.'
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Julie Vanloo finds new home with Los Angeles after getting cut by Golden State earlier in week
NEW YORK (AP) — Julie Vanloo stood outside Barclays Center waiting the final minutes to clear waivers. She had flown to New York a day earlier after getting cut by the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday. When the clcok struck 5, she walked into the arena and joined her new team, the Los Angeles Sparks. Advertisement It has been a rollercoaster week for the 32-year-old, who helped Belgium win the EuroBasket ttile. She skipped the celebration in Belgium to fly back to San Francisco to rejoin the Valkyries only to be waived an hour after her arrival. '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," she said on social media. 'It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.' The Sparks were happy to add her, giving the team another talented guard. 'I'm so happy, so excited for her,' said Sparks guard Julie Allemand, who played on the Belgium team with Vanloo . 'First of all, happy to have her in the team. She's going to help us a lot, but happy for her because, like, the last days were crazy for her.' Advertisement Allemand said she had been talking to her friend all week and had hoped the Sparks would pick her up after she was cut. She was texting with Vanloo in the final minutes leading up to her joining the team. It takes 48 hours for players to clear waivers. 'It was crazy because, like, we were in the locker room and we were waiting for her,' Allemand said. 'Like she was waiting outside.' Sparks first-year coach Lynne Roberts was thrilled to get Vanloo. In the preseason she torched the Sparks for four 3-pointers in a what felt like under 2 minutes. 'When we heard that the Valkyries had waived her, I immediately said to our GM, let's see if we can get her,' Roberts said. Advertisement The coach wasn't sure how much if at all Vanloo would play against the Liberty on Thursday night. 'Safe to say, she's not familiar with the playbook quite yet,' Roberts said. 'But, you know, we'll see. I'd like to get her out there just a little bit.' ___ AP WNBA: Doug Feinberg, The Associated Press
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Julie Vanloo finds new home with Los Angeles after getting cut by Golden State earlier in week
NEW YORK (AP) — Julie Vanloo stood outside Barclays Center waiting the final minutes to clear waivers. She had flown to New York a day earlier after getting cut by the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday. When the clcok struck 5, she walked into the arena and joined her new team, the Los Angeles Sparks. It has been a rollercoaster week for the 32-year-old, who helped Belgium win the EuroBasket ttile. She skipped the celebration in Belgium to fly back to San Francisco to rejoin the Valkyries only to be waived an hour after her arrival. '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,' she said on social media. 'It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.' The Sparks were happy to add her, giving the team another talented guard. 'I'm so happy, so excited for her,' said Sparks guard Julie Allemand, who played on the Belgium team with Vanloo . 'First of all, happy to have her in the team. She's going to help us a lot, but happy for her because, like, the last days were crazy for her.' Allemand said she had been talking to her friend all week and had hoped the Sparks would pick her up after she was cut. She was texting with Vanloo in the final minutes leading up to her joining the team. It takes 48 hours for players to clear waivers. 'It was crazy because, like, we were in the locker room and we were waiting for her,' Allemand said. 'Like she was waiting outside.' Sparks first-year coach Lynne Roberts was thrilled to get Vanloo. In the preseason she torched the Sparks for four 3-pointers in a what felt like under 2 minutes. 'When we heard that the Valkyries had waived her, I immediately said to our GM, let's see if we can get her,' Roberts said. The coach wasn't sure how much if at all Vanloo would play against the Liberty on Thursday night. 'Safe to say, she's not familiar with the playbook quite yet,' Roberts said. 'But, you know, we'll see. I'd like to get her out there just a little bit.' ___ AP WNBA:
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Team Releases Veteran Guard on Wednesday
WNBA Team Releases Veteran Guard on Wednesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Sparks visit the New York Liberty on Thursday. Heading into their 18th game of the season, the Sparks plan to make a few roster adjustments. Los Angeles released guard Shey Peddy on Wednesday in anticipation of guards Rae Burrell and Julie Allemand returning to the team, according to a recent X post from the Sparks' public relations team. Advertisement Peddy appeared in six games for the Sparks; she averaged 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.3 steals per game. She is a WNBA veteran with six seasons of basketball experience under her belt after debuting in 2019 with the Washington Mystics. However, she wasn't able to remain on the Sparks roster due to Burrell making her return after leaving the first game of the season against the Golden State Valkyries with a right leg injury. The injury occurred after an awkward collision with Golden State guard Carla Leite in the first quarter and sidelined Burrell for six to eight weeks. Los Angeles Sparks guard Rae Burrell (12) is carried off of the court after suffering an Yamashita-Imagn Images Burrell has been with Los Angeles since 2022 and averaged 5.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game last season. Advertisement Allemand will return from her stint with the Belgium National Team, where she helped her home country defeat Spain to win the FIBA EuroBasket championship. She appeared in eight games for the Sparks this season and averaged 2.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.8 steals per game. In a related move Wednesday, the Sparks released veteran guard Odyssey Sims. Burrell and Allemand are expected to return to the Sparks roster heading into Thursday's game against the Liberty, who are 11-5, while Los Angeles is 5-12. The game tips off from the Barclays Center at 7 p.m. ET on FOX5 New York. Related: Ranking the 25 Best WNBA Players of All Time This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
