Emma Meesseman is returning to the WNBA — and she or he’s becoming a member of the staff that simply gained all of it. The previous Finals MVP has dedicated to the New York Liberty, based on ESPN, ending a multi-year absence from the league. The addition provides the defending champions much more firepower as they push for back-to-back titles.
Meesseman, who final performed within the WNBA in 2022, might want to finalize her visa earlier than formally suiting up. Now 31, the 6-foot-4 ahead from Belgium had drawn curiosity from a number of groups, together with the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury, earlier than finally selecting New York.
The choice reunites her with Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello and assistant Olaf Lange, each of whom have coached Meesseman with the Belgian nationwide staff in previous worldwide competitions.
Meesseman Provides Championship Pedigree to a Loaded Roster
Meesseman is greatest identified to WNBA followers for her position in serving to the Washington Mystics win the 2019 championship. She averaged 19.3 factors and 5.6 rebounds throughout these playoffs, coming off the bench to earn Finals MVP honors, the primary time a reserve participant had ever gained the award.
After spending seven seasons in Washington, she joined the Chicago Sky in 2022, the place she posted averages of 12.4 factors, 5.6 rebounds and three.8 assists per sport. Her effectivity, passing skill, and perimeter capturing made her one of the versatile forwards within the league.
Past the WNBA, Meesseman has constructed a legacy as one of many high worldwide gamers on the planet. She led Belgium to back-to-back EuroBasket titles and was named MVP of the event in each 2023 and 2025. This summer time, she averaged 19.2 factors, 9.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists for Belgium whereas guiding them to gold.
Her membership profession abroad has been equally spectacular. Enjoying for Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe, Meesseman gained a number of EuroLeague titles and earned three straight EuroLeague MVPs from 2023 to 2025. She’s additionally a two-time Olympic All-Star 5 choice, having starred for Belgium in each Tokyo and Paris.
Her return to the WNBA now provides the Liberty a singular luxurious — the flexibility so as to add a confirmed, championship-caliber participant to a roster already filled with All-Stars.
The 💛💙 Queen returns to her throne!#EuroLeagueWomen x @EmmaMeesseman pic.twitter.com/iLakLTezdH
— EuroLeague Girls (@EuroLeagueWomen) July 17, 2025
Liberty Poised to Make One other Title Run
The timing couldn’t be higher for New York. The Liberty are recent off their first WNBA championship and at the moment sit close to the highest of the standings as soon as once more. Jonquel Jones, who has missed a lot of the season attributable to an ankle harm, is predicted to return this week.
With Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu all taking part in at a excessive degree, Meesseman’s addition rounds out a bunch with title repeat aspirations. Few groups in WNBA historical past have managed to repeat as champions.
Recognized for her unselfish play and basketball IQ, Meesseman is predicted to fit in seamlessly alongside New York’s present stars. She brings one other high-post facilitator to an offense that thrives on ball motion and spacing. Defensively, her skill to modify and talk can be key throughout the playoffs, the place versatility and execution typically determine sequence.
The Liberty lately added Stephanie Talbot to fill their twelfth roster spot. A transfer can be required to clear room for Meesseman as soon as she completes the visa course of. However these near the staff imagine that’s a minor hurdle for a participant of her caliber.
There’s no agency timetable but for Meesseman’s debut, however as soon as she arrives, the message is obvious: the Liberty aren’t standing nonetheless. They’re seeking to increase one other banner, and she or he might assist them get there.
