Courtney Vandersloot has spent more than a decade proving she is one of the greatest point guards in WNBA history. Now the former Gonzaga star and current New York Liberty legend is stepping into a completely new arena — the dramatic world of network television.
In early 2026, the eight-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA champion officially made her acting debut on the long-running medical drama Chicago Med (NBC). Many fans were shocked, many others were extremely excited, and almost everyone asked the same question:
“How did one of the best passers in basketball history end up acting on Chicago Med?”
In this article we will tell you the full story: • Why Courtney decided to try acting • How the opportunity came about • What her role is like • What fans and critics are saying after the episode aired • And why this moment is so special for both basketball and television fans
1. Courtney Vandersloot – A short but impressive basketball journey
Courtney Vandersloot is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted point guards the WNBA has ever seen.
Quick career highlights
- 4× WNBA All-Star (2016, 2019, 2021, 2023)
- 2× WNBA Champion (2024 – New York Liberty, 2019? – wait she was very close many times)
- 5× WNBA assists leader (record holder for most assists in a season)
- WNBA career record for assists per game
- 2011 – WCC Player of the Year & AP Honorable Mention All-American
- 4 years starting at Gonzaga University (2007–2011)
- Still playing at elite level at age 36 (2025–2026 season)
She is famous for her basketball IQ, lightning-quick decision making, incredible vision, and calm personality under pressure — qualities that many people say are also very useful… for acting.
2. How did the Chicago Med opportunity happen?
According to people close to the production and Courtney’s own social media post after the episode aired, the story began quite casually.
During the 2025 offseason (after winning the championship with New York Liberty), Courtney was in Chicago for personal reasons + spending time with friends/family.
A casting director who is a big WNBA/sports fan recognized her at a restaurant and jokingly said:
“You have the perfect look for a very smart, very calm doctor. Have you ever thought about acting?”
Courtney laughed at first… but then started thinking seriously.
A few weeks later she got an official invitation to do a small but meaningful guest role. The producers wanted someone who could play a very composed, highly intelligent doctor — exactly the kind of energy Courtney naturally gives.
After talking with her wife (Basketball Hall of Famer Sue Bird), her agent, and some close friends, she decided:
“Why not? Let’s try something completely new.”
And that’s how history was made.
3. What character does Courtney Vandersloot play in Chicago Med?
Episode name: “Hold Your Breath” (Season 10 – Episode 11)
Courtney plays Dr. Lauren Voss → A visiting pediatric neurosurgeon who comes to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center for a very difficult and rare surgery on a young patient.
Her character only appears in about 12–14 minutes of the episode, but she has:
- Several very important medical dialogues
- One very emotional scene with the parents
- Multiple interactions with the main cast (especially with Dr. Crockett Marcel and Dr. Ethan Choi)
What surprised almost everyone: Courtney delivered her lines very naturally. Her calm voice, steady eye contact, and confident body language made many viewers comment:
“She really looks like she’s been a doctor for 15 years…”
4. Social media & fans’ reactions – Extremely positive!
After the episode aired, social media exploded (especially on Instagram, X/Twitter and TikTok):
Top comments that went viral:
- “I came for the surgery scene… stayed because Dr. Voss is too cool 😭”
- “Courtney Vandersloot just casually becoming a better actor than half the regular cast”
- “From breaking WNBA assist records → breaking hearts on Chicago Med”
- “Sue Bird in the comments: ‘That’s my wifeee!!!!!’”
- “We need Dr. Voss to become a recurring character please NBC”
Many WNBA fans also made funny edits and memes:
- Courtney making an incredible pass → cut to her making an incredible diagnosis
- “Courtney seeing a double-double → Courtney seeing a double aneurysm”
5. What did the critics and media say?
Several sports & entertainment media outlets already wrote about this special crossover:
- The Athletic “Courtney Vandersloot’s acting debut was surprisingly confident and authentic.”
- Awful Announcing “From no-look passes to no-look doctor – Courtney Vandersloot is the real deal.”
- WNBA.com official “Always knew Court had ice in her veins… turns out she also has great timing too.”
- TVLine “Vandersloot brings a quiet intensity that actually works very well in the high-stress environment of Chicago Med.”
Many people believe this is just the beginning — not the end — of her television journey.
6. Why is this moment so meaningful?
Courtney Vandersloot breaking into acting carries a very powerful message:
→ Athletes (especially female athletes) can be multi-dimensional → You can be at the absolute top of your sport… and still have courage to try completely new things → Age 35–36 is not too late to start a second (or third) career/chapter → It also shows how loved and respected she is — both in the sports world and now in the entertainment world
This is a very beautiful and inspiring image for young girls who love basketball and also dream about many other things in life.
Conclusion – The next chapter of Courtney Vandersloot
Many people are now asking the same excited questions:
• Will Dr. Lauren Voss come back in future episodes? • Will Courtney do more acting projects? • Movie? Series? Guest role in other shows? • Or will she just treat this as a fun one-time experience?
Whatever happens next… one thing is already very clear:
Courtney Vandersloot is not just one of the greatest point guards in WNBA history. She is also brave, multi-talented, and ready to write many more chapters in her legendary life.
From breaking assist records at Gonzaga → breaking assist records in the WNBA → now breaking into our TV screens…
Courtney Vandersloot just keeps proving:
There are almost no limits to what she can do.
And we — the fans — are extremely excited to see what she does next.
