Jan Vandersloot Death – Jan Vandersloot, beloved mother of a renowned basketball player Courtney Vandersloot has sadly passed away. She died after a courageous battle with cancer leaving family and friends devastated.
The news of her passing was shared on Facebook on Thursday 20th June 2024 “WNBA Swish sends our deepest condolences to Courtney Vandersloot and her family during this difficult time with the loss of her Mom Jan. May she rest in the arms of her creator and in peace, may her family take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and is at peace.”
Who is Courtney Vandersloot?
Courtney Vandersloot, an esteemed American and Hungarian basketball point guard, currently plays for both the New York Liberty in the WNBA and Fenerbahçe in the EuroLeague Women. Her career has been marked by numerous accolades and records, showcasing her exceptional talent and leadership on the court.
Vandersloot was drafted by the Chicago Sky as the third overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft. Right from her rookie season, she made a significant impact, earning recognition as an All-Star and securing a spot on the All-Rookie Team.
Her consistent performance led to further All-Star selections in 2019, 2021, and 2023. Notably, she played a pivotal role in guiding the Chicago Sky to their first WNBA Championship in 2021, a historic achievement for the franchise.
Known for her exceptional playmaking abilities, Vandersloot led the WNBA in assists in 2014 and dominated the league for five consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2021.
She holds several WNBA records, including the most assists in a season (300), the highest assists-per-game in a season (9.1), and the highest career assists-per-game average (6.2), solidifying her reputation as one of the greatest facilitators in women’s basketball history.
Courtney Vandersloot Basketball Career
Before her professional career, Vandersloot excelled at Gonzaga University. She distinguished herself as the only women’s player in the history of the West Coast Conference to be named Player of the Year three times. Additionally, she achieved the rare feat of being named MVP of the WCC women’s tournament three times.
In her final collegiate season, Vandersloot’s outstanding performance earned her the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, recognizing her as the top NCAA Division I women’s player under 5’8″ (1.73 m), and the prestigious Nancy Lieberman Award as the best point guard in Division I women’s basketball.
She also made history as the first Division I player, male or female, to achieve 2,000 points and 1,000 assists in a career, underscoring her versatility and impact on the game. Throughout her career, Courtney Vandersloot has not only redefined the role of a point guard with her vision and passing ability but has also consistently demonstrated her ability to elevate her team’s performance to championship levels. Her achievements and records stand as a testament to her dedication, skill, and enduring impact on the sport of basketball.