Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart: biography

Breanna Stewart is an American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the WNBA, who is widely regarded as one of the best women's basketball players in the world.

Childhood and youth

Breanna Stewart was born on August 27, 1994, in Syracuse, New York. Growing up, she displayed a passion for basketball from a young age and quickly emerged as a talented player. Stewart attended Cicero-North Syracuse High School, where she played for the school's basketball team, the Northstars.

During her high school career, Stewart garnered significant attention and accolades for her exceptional skills on the court. She led her team to three consecutive New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class AA championships from 2010 to 2012. Stewart's dominance and versatility as a player were evident, as she could score, rebound, and defend at a high level.

Her outstanding performances in high school earned her several prestigious awards and recognition. Stewart was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year in 2012, given to the top high school basketball player in the United States. She was also selected as the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2012.

Stewart's success in high school attracted the attention of college basketball programs across the country. Ultimately, she chose to attend the University of Connecticut (UConn) and play for the legendary head coach Geno Auriemma. Her time at UConn further solidified her status as a basketball prodigy, as she achieved remarkable success, including four consecutive NCAA championships and numerous individual accolades.

Overall, Breanna Stewart's childhood and youth were marked by her early passion for basketball, her exceptional skills, and her remarkable achievements on both the high school and college stages, setting the foundation for her future success in the sport.

Basketball career

Breanna Stewart's basketball career has been nothing short of extraordinary. From her dominant collegiate years to her remarkable success in the WNBA and on the international stage, she has consistently displayed exceptional skills and an unrivaled competitive spirit.

Stewart's college career at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is legendary. From 2012 to 2016, she played for the UConn Huskies and led the team to an unprecedented four consecutive NCAA championships. Her contributions to the team were invaluable, and she consistently showcased her versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Stewart earned the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award in each of the four Final Four tournaments, making her the first player, male or female, to achieve this feat. She was also named the Associated Press (AP) Player of the Year three times and received numerous other honors during her collegiate career.

After her college success, Stewart entered the 2016 WNBA Draft and was selected as the first overall pick by the Seattle Storm. She made an immediate impact in her rookie season, averaging 18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. Stewart's outstanding performances continued throughout her WNBA career, as she consistently established herself as one of the league's elite players. In 2018, she led the Seattle Storm to a WNBA championship, earning the Finals MVP award for her exceptional contributions.

Stewart's achievements in the WNBA are numerous. She has been named an All-Star multiple times and has received the WNBA MVP award in 2018. Additionally, she has been recognized as the WNBA Finals MVP twice, in 2018 and 2020. Her skill set, which includes scoring prowess, rebounding ability, shot-blocking, and perimeter shooting, has made her a nightmare for opponents to defend.

On the international stage, Stewart has represented the United States national team with great distinction. She has won gold medals at several major international tournaments, including the FIBA World Championship in 2014, the Rio Olympics in 2016, and the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Stewart's contributions to Team USA have been invaluable, and she has consistently performed at a high level against the world's best competition.

Breanna Stewart's basketball career is characterized by her exceptional talent, unmatched versatility, and numerous accolades. Her impact on the game and her ability to consistently perform at the highest level have solidified her status as one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time.

Personal life

It’s known that Stewart has been in a long-term relationship with Marta Xargay, a professional basketball player from Spain. The couple has shared glimpses of their relationship on social media, expressing their love and support for each other. Their relationship has been widely celebrated, and Stewart has been vocal about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in sports. They got married in July, 2021.

On August 9, 2021, shortly after Breanna Stewart earned an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, an exciting event unfolded in their personal life. Within 48 hours of her triumph, Stewart and her partner Marta Xargay welcomed their daughter, Ruby Mae Stewart-Xargay, into the world. The couple chose surrogacy as the method to bring their child into their lives, embracing the joy of parenthood.

Adding to their growing family, Stewart and Xargay shared another special announcement on May 14, 2023. Through a joint statement posted on their respective Instagram profiles, they revealed that they are expecting their second child. The couple expressed their excitement as they anticipate the arrival of their newest family member, who is expected to join them in October.

In addition to her activism, Stewart has a strong presence on social media, where she engages with her fans and shares insights into her basketball journey. She often uses her platforms to inspire and motivate others, sharing her own experiences and encouraging others to pursue their dreams.

Awards and honors

International:

• FIBA Women's World Cup MVP (2018)
• FIBA Under-19 Women's World Cup MVP (2013)
• USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2011, 2013, 2018)

WNBA:

• The W25 (top 25 players in league history) (2021)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2020)
• Commissioner's Cup MVP (2021)
• Commissioner's Cup Champion (2021)
• 2x WNBA Finals MVP (2018, 2020)
• 2x WNBA Champion (2018, 2020)
• WNBA MVP (2018)
• 2x WNBA All-Star (2017, 2018)
• All-WNBA First Team (2018, 2020, 2021)
• All-WNBA Second Team (2016)
• WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2016)
• WNBA Rookie of the Year (2016)
• ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete and Best Female College Player (2016)

Overseas:

• EuroLeague Women Regular Season MVP (2019)
• EuroLeague Women Champion (2021)
• EuroLeague Women Final Four MVP (2021)

College:

• 4x NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• 3x Naismith College Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
• 3x USBWA Women's National Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
• 3x Associated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
• 3x American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
• 2x Wade Trophy (2015, 2016)
• 2x John R. Wooden Award (2015, 2016)
• Senior CLASS Award (2016)
• 3x Honda Sports Award, basketball (2014, 2015, 2016)
• Honda-Broderick Cup and Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year (2016)
• James E. Sullivan Award, basketball (2015)
• Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (2014)

High school:

• Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2012)
• USA Today Player of the Year (2012)
• Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year (2012)
• Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year (2012)
• McDonald's All-American (2012)
• Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year (2011)
• USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2011)
• ESPN Rise All-America second team (2010)
• Parade All-America fourth team (2010)