The defending WNBA champions have officially added a former WNBA Finals MVP to their roster with fewer than six weeks to go until the playoffs.
The New York Liberty announced on Friday, Aug. 1, that they have signed Belgian star Emma Meesseman, who is returning to the WNBA for the first time she was an All-Star in 2022 with the Chicago Sky. The versatile 6-foot-4 forward led Fenerbahçe in Instanbul, Turkey to two EuroLeague championships, led the Belgium national team to two EuroBasket titles and won three-consecutive EuroLeague MVPs during her hiatus from the WNBA.
Meesseman, 32, is expected to make her debut with the Liberty on Friday in the first of two-consecutive regular season games against the last-place Connecticut Sun. Her addition brings another well-known playmaker to a roster that already featured Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones.
“Emma Meesseman’s return to the WNBA is a tremendous moment for our league, and the fact that she chose New York for her next chapter speaks volumes,” Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said in a statement. “She is one of the most skilled, intelligent and unselfish players in the world and her presence elevates everyone around her. Emma brings invaluable experience, championship pedigree and a unique versatility that fits seamlessly into our group as we continue our relentless pursuit of a title in 2025.”
Meesseman averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game over the past three seasons in club and international competition and should help immediately with Stewart currently out indefinitely with a bone bruise in her knee. Meesseman averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in 2022 with the Sky.
She was drafted by the Washington Mystics in 2013 and won WNBA Finals MVP during the franchise’s championship run in 2019. Current Liberty guard Natasha Cloud was also a member of that title team.
The Liberty, who are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, have 18 regular-season games remaining and sit in second place behind the Minnesota Lynx. The Liberty lost to Minnesota in their most recent outing on Wednesday, July 30.