January 26 — Being on television is nothing new for Courtney Vandersloot.
WNBA games involving the former Gonzaga basketball star were featured numerous times during her 14-year professional career.
A television first for Vandersloot came last week when she made her acting debut – albeit brief. She made an appearance on NBC’s “Chicago Med,” which is part of the Chicago One network’s three-show Wednesday night lineup.
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Vandersloot visited the fictional Chicago Gaffney Medical Center to surprise a college basketball player from the fictional Cole University next door, facing knee surgery. Vandersloot is recovering from knee surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered during a WNBA game last summer.
A doctor from the show organized the surprise visit.
Here’s how the 39-second scene played out. (If you read this story online, an excerpt from the scene is attached):
“Here’s to the season. And probably the rest of my basketball career,” Kristen Thompson said.
Dr. Frost: “Look, it’s not going to be easy. That’s not what I’m saying, okay? But a lot of players come back on the field after ACL surgery.”
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Thompson: “Yeah, maybe.”
Frost: “Look, I know it’s a big blow, so I bought you a little something to hopefully cheer you up a little.”
The doctor hands him an action photo of Vandersloot in his Chicago jersey.
Thompson smiled. “Oh, that’s so cool. Sloot is like my idol.”
Frost: “Hey, I’ll be right back, okay?”
He leaves the room and quickly brings the surprise: Vandersloot.
Frost: “Kristen, I’d like you to meet…”
Thompson: “Sloot! »
Vandersloot: “Hi Kristen.”
Dr. Asher to Frost: “Do you know Courtney Vandersloot?
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Frost: “I know a guy who knows a guy who knows Courtney Vandersloot.”
Vandersloot: “I’m so sorry to hear about your knee. I tore my ACL last summer in a game against the Indiana Fever.”
Thompson: “Yeah, I saw that happen right when you were going to make a layup.”
Vandersloot: “Yes, it was really disappointing to have to miss the rest of the season, but I’m working really hard after the surgery and I’m going to be back on the field next season stronger than ever.”
Thompson: “It’s great.”
Vandersloot: “And you too. And when you’re ready, we’ll take you to Wintrust (Arena, where the Sky plays) and you and I will take some pictures.”
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Thompson: “I would love that.”
Then Vandersloot takes out a swimsuit that she hid in her jacket.
Vandersloot: “By the way, this is for you.”
Thompson: “Wow. Thank you very much.”
The scene ends with Thompson and Vandersloot hugging.
The show, now in its 11th season, lists the names of cast members and special guests in the first three minutes of each episode. Sure enough, there was Vandersloot’s name at the bottom of the screen.
Interestingly, Vandersloot underwent knee surgery on June 24 at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where Chicago Med films its episodes.
Yahoo Sports described Vandersloot’s appearance as a strong performance.
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Vandersloot, who turns 37 early next month, has been in the WNBA since entering the league as the third overall draft pick in 2011.
One of the most talented point guards in the WNBA during her career, Vandersloot was interviewed by a Chicago reporter about her recovery from surgery in September. She tried to quell rumors that her career might be over.
“Contrary to what people say or think, my age is actually not a factor. I’m coming back,” Vandersloot said. “I’m going to come back better than ever because that’s what I did. I put myself in a position to come back and compete, even at this age.”
Vandersloot married former Chicago teammate Allie Quigley in 2018. They live in Chicago and welcomed their first child, a daughter, born in May.
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A two-time WNBA champion with Chicago in 2011 and New York Liberty in 2024, Vandersloot was in Spokane three years ago when Gonzaga held a retirement ceremony for her jersey. This is the first women’s jersey hung at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
During her four seasons at Gonzaga, she was a three-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and the first NCAA Division I player, of either gender, with 2,000 points and 1,000 assists in her career.
She finished her time at Gonzaga by leading the Zags to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight titles, WCC regular season and tournament titles and a 31-5 record during the 2010-11 season.
Vandersloot won’t win any honors for her brief acting role. But she was, at least, on par with all the conferences in terms of encouragement and sincerity. And maybe other people with knee problems who watched the show were inspired.
