OAKLAND >> On Monday, the Golden State Valkyries made the surprising move to waive point guard Julie Vanloo.

The decision came as a shock to many as Vanloo was a fan favorite and had moments of brilliance in the nine games she played with the expansion team. The second-year guard served as a translator for some of the Valkyries’ players and seemed to fit the mold of a Golden State player.

Vanloo skipped out on Belgium’s championship celebration to return to the Bay Area, but found out she was waived when her plane landed at San Francisco International Airport. She was one of three cuts the Valkyries made on Monday in order to make room for forwards Cecilia Zandalasini and Janelle Salaün to return to the roster. Forward Chloe Bibby and guard Bree Hall were also released.

“It was heartbreaking. It was painful,” coach Natalie Nakase said after Wednesday’s practice at the Valkyries’ practice facility in Oakland. “I’m not a mom, but it was like I gave away three kids. Julie meant a lot. Chloe meant a lot, even Bree. I wish I could keep them all. Just to be honest, we only have 12 roster spots. They all surpassed our expectations, and we’re just trying to make the most competitive team possible.”

Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin was not made available to reporters during Wednesday’s practice.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Vanloo expressed her disappointment in missing the championship parade, but also thanked the Valkyries for the opportunity.

“After traveling 18 hours back to the Bay, I missed the fan ceremony and the chance to share that special medal moment with my family and friends,” Vanloo said in the post. “I got back to San Fran as soon as I could. I left the party in the middle of the night after the game… To hear 1 hour upon arrival: we have to waive you. Honestly, that stung. I understand it’s business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut. It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.

“Thank you, Golden State Valkyries, for the opportunity. I’m not going to sit here and be sour, that’s just not who I am. I’m a grateful person, and I lead with love. That’s what I’m all about. I’ve come a long way… from dreaming of being in this league, to hoping one day I’d be drafted.”

Nakase said the Valkyries did not know that Vanloo skipped Belgium’s parade when they decided to cut her.

“From my perspective, I would say that was respectful because whenever a situation like that happens, you bring them in and as an adult, you say things face to face,” Nakase said. “I think that was out of respect.”

The move signals the Valkyries are comfortable moving forward with rookie third-round pick Kaitlyn Chen as the backup point guard. After being cut before the season opener, Chen was brought in as one of the players signed to fill the void that Vanloo and others left when they departed for EuroBasket.

When asked if Chen’s play factored into the Valkyries’ decision to waive Vanloo, Nakase said, “We went 5-2 and we were really competitive. So, I’m definitely not, not looking at that.”

While she had her moments with the Valkyries, Vanloo wasn’t a perfect player. Her best game came in the Valkyries’ season opener against the Los Angeles Sparks, when she scored 14 points and hit three straight 3-pointers in the third quarter that brought the Valkyries back from a double-digit deficit.

But after the game against the Sparks, she had just one game in which she scored 10 or more points. Over the course of nine games, she averaged 2.6 turnovers and shot just 21.6% from the 3-point line.

Chen doesn’t have the playmaking abilities that Vanloo has, but she played solid defense and took care of the ball in the five games she’s played.

Chen was in Nakase’s closing lineup in the Valkyries’ tight win over the Chicago Sky last Friday. The Valkyries said they have been impressed with Chen’s ability to connect lineups and play well on defense.