As for everyone else, 2020 was a special year for Emma Meesseman. Meesseman was especially drawn to her period in the United States. “It just made me sick, because of the stress”, says the Belgian Cat.
Emma Meesseman lived in uncertainty for a long time about the WNBA season in 2020. In the end, just like with the NBA, the season ended in a “bubble” in Florida.
“It’s been a special story. I said I would come to the Florida bubble, unless half the team wouldn’t come,” said Meesseman. “That did eventually happen and there I was.”
“I haven’t seen Florida, but I’m glad I did. I would make the same decision now. Hopefully it will be a unique experience.”
“” Stop killing us “, that came in hard”
The season has put Meesseman to the test physically and mentally. Especially because of the events in the United States. With her colleagues in the WNBA, she took a firm stand by supporting Black Lives Matter.
“I never thought that would have such an impact on me as a European playing in the US.” The players in the NBA went on strike, it didn’t get that far in the WNBA, but that was close. Meesseman was right in the middle of it.
“With Washington, we played the first WNBA match after the strike in the NBA. With the WNBA, we depend very much on the money from TV channel ESPN. The coaches came to say,” If ESPN decides not to invest more money, then maybe the league will be over. ” So a lot depended on us. “
“You saw the time ticking away on the clock next to the field. That was very stressful. Are we going to play or not? Ultimately decided not to strike, with our opponents and the teams that had to play after us.”
I have also received responses from Belgium. “I don’t watch the Belgian Cats anymore. It’s just ridiculous what you’re doing now. ”
Meesseman and co did not strike, but made a statement with T-shirts with bullet holes. “I made the T-shirts myself the day. I was injured, so while the other players were taking their afternoon nap, I made those T-shirts with hairdryers and stuff.”
“It was difficult because there were also TV interviews. And to one interview, my roommate replied,” What am I to say? Stop killing us. ” That came in very hard, I found it mentally very tough. Normally I use basketball to escape it and now it was always there. “
Did Meesseman also receive reactions to her actions? “That was really crazy. I have also received responses from Belgium. “I don’t watch the Belgian Cats anymore. It’s just ridiculous what you’re doing now. ” I just stopped reading the comments, where is it going? I’ve seen a lot that has made me doubt humanity. It just made me sick, because of the stress. “
“Now I can keep it up, but I will give up WNBA first”
Next season will be a puzzle for Meesseman. How can she combine the WNBA with the European Championship and the Olympic Games with the Belgian Cats. “The European Championship and the Olympic Games are my main goals anyway.”
“I mainly wait to see what the WNBA season will be. In a bubble I will not go anymore. In a normal season it is an option that I will participate for another month after the Olympics. Then I can see how the team is doing. and goes with me. “
Belgian Cats, Russia and the Euroleague and the WNBA? it’s a hellish rhythm. “Now I can keep the combination going, but I don’t want to let my future run dry. WNBA is the first thing I will give up. Much will depend on next summer.”
“I would really like to end my WNBA career in Washington. Together with the supporters who have watched me grow up and with the staff that I have always known. That would make the most sense. But you never know how it goes, it is and how it goes. remains a business. “
You will also learn this in the podcast with Meesseman:
- “The death of Kobe Bryant caught me because I was absolutely convinced that I would meet Kobe and Gigi at one of our competitions this summer. ”
- “Now it was my last year contract with Yekaterinenburg. We won everything and you can go on and make history, but I also don’t want to be in one place for my entire career. “
- “When I go to a restaurant, I can read the menu in Russian and I can read it Russian to order. I also plan my plan in the store. “
- “That’s the great thing about my career: the experience you gain, the other cultures you discover. -30 degrees walking around in Russia, I think that’s a really nice experience. Then I especially go for a walk. “
- “Living in Russia? No, not that, I am Belgian and I want to continue to live in Belgium. Ypres or surroundings. It does not matter how long I am in the car or where I come from, I will always pass the Menin Gate to drive. Always.”
Listen to the podcast with Emma Meesseman
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– watch the video with Emma Meesseman on Vrt Nu here –
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