From the perspective of both the center and the guard, there are few challenges in basketball quite like that of when a big gets matched up on an isolation island against a crafty, intuitive dribbler. Proving the circumstance to be true once more, Julie Vanloo — fearless, even against former two-time Defensive Player of the Year Brittney Griner — throws her hands skyward in request of the ball, eventually receiving her opportunity at a one-on-one tango. Equipped with every maneuver in the book, Vanloo strings together one crossover and then another, quickly breaking free of the Phoenix Mercury’s star before finishing at the rim with a smooth, same-leg, same-hand scoop layup. Appearing to relish those types of matchups, Vanloo found success throughout, using a deceptive behind-the-back, pull-up combination in that same setting earlier. The Washington Mystics, pulling within a half-game of the once-improbable No. 8 seed, rode Vanloo’s creative wave to victory on September 5, 2024. The gifted rookie guard contributed heavily through 13 points (on five-of-seven shooting), three rebounds, four assists, and three triples. · Sep 6, 2024