Sandy Brondello was excited similar to all Liberty followers in Brooklyn.
That’s as a result of Liberty common manger Jonathan Kolb — on his birthday — and the workforce’s entrance workplace managed to lure Belgian star and 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman on Monday.
“I was at the All-Star Game — the weekend. Can’t remember what I was doing, but it’s exciting,” mentioned Brondello, who led Staff Collier to a 151-131 All-Star Recreation victory over Staff Clark on Saturday.
“I feel a number of groups are within the combine to get her and to lastly get the phrase that she has dedicated to come back right here. I feel that’s fairly particular. And he or she’s a fantastic participant. She was going to assist any workforce that she would go to. There’s a consolation stage right here. There’s numerous gamers. She’s performed with and all typically I’ve coached her, so I feel it’ll be good and simple. It’ll be nice to see her once more.
Meesseman’s familiarity with key Liberty figures attracted her to Brooklyn. The star reportedly thought-about signing with the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx.
Brondello coached 6-4 ahead at Russian membership UMMC Ekaterinburg. Liberty assistant Olaf Lange served on the workers as properly.
She’s additionally suited up with alongside Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones abroad. And veteran Rebekah Gardner shared the ground with Meesseman whereas with the 2022 Chicago Sky squad that got here one win in need of a WNBA Finals look.
That 2022 season was the final time Meesseman performed within the WNBA. Since then, the Belgian star has gained Euroleague MVP honors in every of the previous three years. She additionally led Turkish membership Fenerbahçe to championships in 2023 and 2024.
Most just lately along with her Turkish membership, Meesseman averaged 16.9 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per recreation. And with the Sky in 2022, she averaged 12.4 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals per recreation.
JJ IS BACK
The Liberty’s engine is again after being sidelined for a month — 9 video games — as a result of a proper ankle sprain. She returned to the Liberty’s beginning lineup in opposition to the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever squad on Tuesday at Barclays Middle.
And what’s Brondello’s expectation of Jones as she returns for the ultimate push of the season?
“Just be JJ,” the pinnacle coach mentioned.
“Just be a force down low. Be who she is. She knows what she brings to our team. It’s about her just getting rhythm again. Being integrated back into the team. And we’ve missed her. We’re excited to have her back, and I know the fans are excited to have her back as well. So it’s just JJ feeling comfortable playing basketball again after being out for quite some time.”
SABALLY RESTING
As Jones obtained faraway from the standing report, ahead Nyara Sabally landed on it hours earlier than Tuesday’s matchup. Sabally missed time this season as a result of a knee damage. Her head coach, nonetheless, mentioned nothing flared up in Sabally’s knee however she felt some “discomfort.”
Brondello mentioned Sabally “could’ve played if we needed her,” however determined to present her a relaxation day to make sure three off days earlier than a back-to-back in opposition to the Mercury on Friday and the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday.
The pinnacle coach added she plans to have Sabally again on Friday.
Initially Revealed: July 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM EDT
