Two-time WNBA All-Star Emma Meesseman has committed to signing with the New York Liberty, a league source confirmed to The Athletic, bringing the European star back to the league for the first time since 2022.
When exactly Meesseman will suit up for New York remains uncertain, as her arrival will be subject to the length of time it takes for her visa application to be processed, the source said. ESPN was first to report Meesseman’s return.
Meesseman, according to league sources, also considered signing with the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury before deciding on New York.
Although Meesseman, a 2019 WNBA Finals MVP with the Washington Mystics, last played in the U.S. over two seasons ago, she has been arguably the best player in Europe in recent years. Meesseman led the Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe to EuroLeague championships in 2023 and 2024, and she won EuroLeague MVP honors in each of the past three years. She also led the Paris Olympics in scoring in 2024.
Meesseman waited to sign with a WNBA franchise until after the conclusion of the June EuroBasket tournament. She led Belgium to the title after a ferocious comeback in the game’s waning minutes, earning not only another title for her native country but also tournament MVP honors.
“We would love to have her, if that’s something that she’s interested in,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello told reporters on July 8. “That would certainly help us, an experienced post player.”
Brondello previously coached Meesseman at the Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg, with the two overlapping in 2016 and 2017. Brondello’s top assistant in New York, Olaf Lange, was also on the UMMC coaching staff and has familiarity with the Belgian forward.
How she fits with New York is worth watching, as the Liberty frontcourt has been led by former league MVPs Stewart and Jonquel Jones, who is expected to return to play from her recent ankle injury Tuesday. Nevertheless, Meesseman is also comfortable playing alongside both players.
Stewart and Jones both played with Meesseman in Ekaterinburg, and more recently, Stewart played alongside Meesseman at Fenerbahçe during the 2022-23 season. Meesseman also played alongside Liberty center Nyara Sabally at Fener last season.
“Emma’s an amazing player,” Stewart said in early July. “She’s someone who reads the game really well. For a team that wants to play read and react, and play fast, she’d be a perfect fit for us.”
Meesseman averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game during her season with the Chicago Sky in 2022.
The Liberty begin the second half 15-6 on the season, the second-best record in the WNBA. New York also announced it signed veteran forward Stephanie Talbot on Monday morning.
The Liberty play the Indiana Fever on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
(Top photo: David Banks / USA TODAY Sports)
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