Mystics forward Emma Meesseman has had a big week. The Mystics announced that she will miss the 2018 WNBA season to rest and prepare for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September with the Belgian national team.
The Koninklijke Belgische Basketball Bond (Royal Belgian Basketball Federation) released their own statement last Thursday to celebrate her decision to stay in Europe instead of going to America. But we were still waiting on what Meesseman herself would say.
On Sunday afternoon (or evening in Europe), she posted a classy message on her Instagram where she acknowledged the difficulty of her decision. She also promised to come back to D.C.:
If you can’t read the message on her post, here’s the quote:
I know it is a luxury to be able to choose between dreams, but at the same time, it was extremely hard to decide to not go to the Mystics this year, although it is the right one for me. I will miss the girls, staff and fans but I will be back!!!
At the end of the day, I respect Meesseman’s decision to do what she did as Belgium heads to their first FIBA Women’s World Cup appearance. It’s not easy, but like the rest of us, even Meesseman has to focus on one goal at a time.
Bedankt Emma en veel succes! Behalve als je tegen de Verenigde Staten speelt... :)