Breanna Stewart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Breanna Stewart

Stewart with the New York Liberty in 2024
No. 30 – New York Liberty
Power forward
Personal information
Born	(1994-08-27) August 27, 1994 (age 32) Syracuse, New York, U.S.
High school	Cicero – North Syracuse (Cicero, New York)
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
College	UConn (2012–2016)
NBA Draft	2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Seattle Storm
Pro career	2016–present
League	WNBA
Career history
2016–2022	Seattle Storm
2016–2018	Shanghai Baoshan Dahua
2018–2019	Dynamo Kursk
2020–2021	UMMC Ekaterinburg
2022–2023	Fenerbahçe
2023–present	New York Liberty
2025–present	Mist BC
2026	Fenerbahçe
Career highlights and awards
3× WNBA champion (2018, 2020, 2024) 2× WNBA Finals MVP (2018, 2020) 2× WNBA MVP (2018, 2023) 8× WNBA All-Star (2017, 2018, 2021–2026) 6× All-WNBA First Team (2018, 2020–2024) All-WNBA Second Team (2016) 3× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2022–2024) 4× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2016, 2020–2021, 2025) WNBA Rookie of the Year (2016) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016) 3× WNBA Commissioner's Cup champion (2021, 2023, 2026) 2× WNBA Commissioner's Cup MVP (2021, 2026) WNBA scoring leader (2022) WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021) Unrivaled champion (2026) Unrivaled Finals MVP (2026) 2× FIBA Women's World Cup MVP (2018, 2026) Olympics MVP (2021) 3× EuroLeague champion (2021, 2023, 2026) EuroLeague Regular Season MVP (2019) 2× EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2021, 2023) All-EuroLeague First Team (2023) Turkish Super League champion (2023) Russian Premier League champion (2021) Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2020) 4× NCAA champion (2013–2016) 4× NCAA Tournament MOP (2013–2016) 3× Naismith College Player of the Year (2014–2016) 3× Honda Sports Award (2014–2016) Honda-Broderick Cup (2016) 3× USBWA National Player of the Year (2014–2016) 3× AP Player of the Year (2014–2016) 2× John R. Wooden Award (2015, 2016) 2× Wade Trophy (2015, 2016)
Medals Women's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team 2020 Tokyo Team 2024 Paris Team World Cup 2014 Turkey 2018 Spain 2022 Australia 2026 Germany Pan American Games 2015 Toronto Team

Breanna Mackenzie Stewart (born August 27, 1994), widely known by her nickname "Stewie", is an American professional basketball superstar. She plays as a power forward for the New York Liberty in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She also competes for Mist BC in the professional league called Unrivaled.

Stewart is celebrated as one of the greatest athletes to ever play the game of basketball. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall with a huge 7-foot-1-inch wingspan, she can score from far away, pass like a guard, and block shots near the hoop.

Before joining the pros, Stewart put together one of the most legendary runs in college sports history. She led the University of Connecticut Huskies to four national championships in four years. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament every single year. In the WNBA, she has won multiple championships and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards with both the Seattle Storm and the New York Liberty.

Stewart has also shone brightly on the world stage. Playing for the United States women's national basketball team, she has won three Olympic gold medals and four FIBA World Cup titles. Alongside fellow basketball star Napheesa Collier, she co-founded Unrivaled, an exciting 3-on-3 league created to give top women players more opportunities to play in the United States.

Early Life and Basketball Foundations

Growing Up in Upstate New York

Breanna Stewart was born in Syracuse, New York. Her mother, Heather Baldwin, worked long hours at multiple jobs to support the household. When Breanna was a young child, Heather married Brian Stewart, who adopted Breanna and became a loving, supportive father. The family later grew with the arrival of her younger brother, Connor.

From an early age, it was clear that Breanna was going to be remarkably tall. When she first picked up a basketball, youth coaches immediately wanted to place her right under the basket. In traditional basketball, tall players usually stay near the rim to grab rebounds and make short layups.

Mastering Ball Handling and the One-Mile Drill

Brian Stewart wanted his daughter to have a complete set of basketball skills. He believed that even tall players should be able to run fast breaks, shoot outside jump shots, and dribble smoothly through traffic. He encouraged Breanna to develop the abilities of a point guard.

To turn this vision into reality, Breanna created a famous practice routine in her neighborhood. Every day, she put on her headphones, grabbed a basketball, and dribbled all the way around her neighborhood block. The full loop measured about one mile.

She did not just bounce the ball normally. She practiced difficult dribbling tricks, bouncing the ball behind her back, between her legs, and switching speeds continuously. This daily dedication gave her exceptional control of the ball. It allowed her to play with great agility, making her a unique match-up problem for any opponent later in her career.

Rising Above Childhood Challenges

Growing up was not always easy, and Stewart faced serious personal hardships as a young child. With the help and guidance of her parents, she learned how to speak up, find justice, and rely on her family for strength.

Through hard work and patience, she channeled her energy into school, family, and athletics. Later in life, she shared parts of her personal journey to encourage other young people facing adversity to stay strong, believe in themselves, and always seek help from people they trust.

High School Basketball Dominance

Breaking Records with the Northstars

Stewart attended Cicero – North Syracuse High School (C-NS) in Cicero, New York. Her talent was so obvious that head coach Eric Smith invited her to join the high school varsity team when she was still an eighth grader. Her teammates quickly gave her two nicknames: "Bean" and "6–10," referring to her enormous arm span that made it difficult for anyone to shoot over her.

Even as an eighth grader competing against older players, she started in most games. She averaged nine points, nine rebounds, and seven blocked shots each night. By her freshman year, her scoring average surged to 17 points per game. She led her team to an impressive 21–3 record and a spot in the regional championship game.

Championship Glory and First Dunk

During her sophomore year, Stewart scored 22 points per game, carrying the Northstars to an 18–4 record. As a junior, she led her school to the New York State Class AA public school championship with a 22–3 record. During that championship season, she averaged 24 points and 15 rebounds per game.

While in her junior year, Stewart made headlines across the nation by announcing that she would attend the University of Connecticut to play for legendary coach Geno Auriemma. The very next day after her announcement, she electrified the home crowd by performing her first in-game slam dunk against Baldwinsville. On January 31, 2012, Stewart passed the 2,000 career point milestone during an astonishing 31–0 scoring run by her team.

National High School Showcases

Because the Northstars were so talented, they were invited to play in major tournaments across the country. In December 2011, the team traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, for the Nike Tournament of Champions. This tournament featured 96 of the best high school teams in the United States.

C-NS faced Bolingbrook High School, which was ranked number one in the country by USA Today. Even though experts predicted Bolingbrook would win by 30 points, Stewart scored 15 points to lead her team to a shocking 43–40 upset victory.

In the quarterfinals, she scored 29 points and collected 19 rebounds to beat Florida powerhouse Dr. Phillips High School. She capped off the tournament with a 33-point game in the semifinals. Her brilliant play earned her the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.

A month later, at the 2012 Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts, Stewart scored 22 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, and blocked seven shots in only three quarters. She outscored the entire opposing team by herself in a 60–20 victory.

By the end of her senior year in 2012, Stewart swept every major national award. She was named the Naismith High School Girls' Player of the Year, the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year, and the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year across all high school sports.

The Historic UConn Huskies College Dynasty

Freshman Year and the 2013 National Title

Stewart enrolled at the University of Connecticut in the fall of 2012. She made an immediate splash, scoring at least 20 points in three of her first four college games. She scored 169 points across her first ten games, breaking the UConn freshman record previously held by the great Maya Moore.

As the long season wore on, Stewart hit a mid-season slump where her scoring dropped below ten points per game. Instead of getting discouraged, she began meeting early in the morning with associate head coach Chris Dailey. Together, they worked on new footwork, hook shots, and perimeter shooting techniques.

The extra practice paid off immediately. In the Big East Conference tournament, she scored 51 points to match Diana Taurasi's freshman tournament record. In the 2013 NCAA Tournament, she was unstoppable. She scored 105 points over five games, leading UConn to the national championship. She became the first freshman in 26 years to be named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Sophomore Year: Becoming National Player of the Year

During her sophomore season in 2013–14, Stewart stepped into a primary leadership role. Her coaches noticed she was playing with greater confidence and actively calling for the ball in crunch time.

Stewart started all 40 games, leading the Huskies with 19.4 points and 2.8 blocks per game. She also pulled down 8.1 rebounds per contest. UConn completed a perfect 40–0 season, crushing their opponents on the way to a second straight national championship.

Her remarkable consistency earned her the Associated Press Player of the Year award. She was only the third sophomore in women's college basketball history to win this prestigious honor. She was also named the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year.

Junior Year: Chasing Three in a Row

As a junior during the 2014–15 season, Stewart continued to raise her level of play. During UConn's nine-game postseason run, she played some of the finest basketball of her life. She averaged 18.1 points, shot 53.3 percent from the field, and grabbed 10.7 rebounds per game. She also made 42.1 percent of her three-point shots during this stretch.

Behind Stewart's all-around play, UConn captured their third consecutive national championship. She was once again named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, joining basketball legend Cheryl Miller as one of the few players to win the award three times.

By the end of her junior year, she had climbed into the top ten on UConn's all-time lists for scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots.

Senior Year: The Four-Peat and College Immortality

Stewart entered her senior season (2015–16) with one final goal: to win four national championships in four years. No women's college basketball team had ever achieved this feat.

She turned in career-high averages in rebounds (8.7 per game), assists (4.0 per game), and blocks (126 total), while shooting 57.9 percent from the floor. She swept every single major individual trophy, including:

• The Naismith Trophy
• The Wade Trophy
• The John R. Wooden Award
• The Associated Press Player of the Year (becoming the first three-time winner)
• The USBWA National Player of the Year

In the 2016 NCAA Championship Game, UConn defeated Syracuse 82–51, completing an undefeated 38–0 season. Stewart made history by earning her fourth Final Four Most Outstanding Player award.

During her four years at UConn, Stewart's teams won an astonishing 151 games and lost only five. She became the first player in NCAA history to collect at least 400 assists and block 400 shots. She finished her collegiate career with 2,676 points, 1,179 rebounds, and 414 blocked shots.

Professional Basketball Career in the WNBA

Seattle Storm Era (2016–2022)

Rookie of the Year and Playoff Return

In April 2016, the Seattle Storm selected Breanna Stewart with the number one overall pick in the WNBA draft. She joined veteran superstar point guard Sue Bird, forming one of the most effective guard-forward duos in basketball history.

Stewart scored 23 points in her very first WNBA game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Later that season, she erupted for 38 points against the Atlanta Dream, setting the second-highest single-game scoring mark in Storm history.

Stewart averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in her debut season. She also set a WNBA single-season record with 277 defensive rebounds. She won every single Rookie of the Month award and easily took home the WNBA Rookie of the Year trophy. Her play helped Seattle reach the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

Reaching MVP Status and the 2018 Championship

By 2018, Stewart had established herself as one of the premier players in world basketball. She was voted to her second WNBA All-Star Game and led Seattle to a league-best 26–8 regular season record.

She averaged 21.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting over 52 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from the three-point line. At the end of the regular season, she received the 2018 WNBA Most Valuable Player Award.

In the playoffs, Stewart was dominant. In Game 1 of the semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, she scored 28 points and hit a career-high six three-pointers. After Seattle won the series in five games, they swept the Washington Mystics 3–0 in the WNBA Finals.

Stewart averaged 25.7 points and 6.0 rebounds during the Finals to win the WNBA Finals MVP award. She became only the sixth player in league history to win both the regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same year.

Overcoming a Major Injury and the 2020 Championship

In April 2019, while playing in a European championship game, Stewart suffered a torn Achilles tendon. This severe injury forced her to miss the entire 2019 WNBA season. Many wondered if she would ever regain her elite speed and jumping ability.

Stewart spent months in physical therapy, working tirelessly to rebuild strength in her leg. During her recovery, the WNBA appointed her as an official league ambassador.

She returned to the court in July 2020 inside the WNBA's quarantined competition bubble in Bradenton, Florida. Stewart played as if she had never been hurt, averaging 19.7 points and 8.3 rebounds during the shortened 20-game season.

In the 2020 WNBA Finals, she led Seattle to another three-game sweep, this time over the Las Vegas Aces. She averaged 25.7 points per game in the Finals and captured her second WNBA Finals MVP trophy. For her inspirational comeback and community advocacy, Sports Illustrated named her one of their Sportspersons of the Year.

In 2021, Stewart helped Seattle win the first-ever WNBA Commissioner's Cup tournament and was named the game's MVP. That same season, the WNBA celebrated its 25th anniversary by naming her to "The W25," honoring the top 25 players in the league's history.

New York Liberty Era (2023–Present)

Bringing Energy to New York and Winning 2023 MVP

In February 2023, Stewart made the major decision to sign as a free agent with the New York Liberty. Her arrival transformed the Liberty into an immediate championship contender.

In her first regular season home game at the Barclays Center on May 21, 2023, Stewart gave fans an unforgettable show. She scored 45 points against the Indiana Fever, setting a new Liberty franchise record for the most points scored in a single game.

Over the 2023 regular season, she averaged 23.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. She was named the 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player, making her just the eighth player in league history to win the award multiple times. She also guided the Liberty to the 2023 Commissioner's Cup championship and an appearance in the WNBA Finals.

The Historical 2024 Championship Title

During the 2024 season, Stewart continued to serve as the heartbeat of the Liberty lineup. Teaming up with star guard Sabrina Ionescu and center Jonquel Jones, she led New York to the best record in the WNBA.

In the postseason, Stewart averaged 19.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game. On October 20, 2024, the Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling five-game series.

The victory delivered the first WNBA Championship in New York Liberty franchise history. For Stewart, it was her third WNBA championship ring.

International Basketball Career

Success Across Europe and Asia

Like many top women's basketball players, Stewart has spent parts of the WNBA offseason playing for elite international clubs. These leagues allow players to sharpen their skills and compete against top talent year-round.

• Shanghai Baoshan Dahua (China): Stewart spent her first two professional offseasons in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA), leading the league in scoring.
• Dynamo Kursk (Russia): In 2018, she moved to Europe and led Dynamo Kursk to the EuroLeague final, earning the EuroLeague Regular Season MVP award.
• UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia): Playing alongside international stars, Stewart won the 2020–21 EuroLeague Women championship and was selected as the Final Four MVP. She also won the Russian Premier League title.
• Fenerbahçe (Turkey): In 2022, Stewart signed with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe. She carried the team to the Turkish Super League title and the 2023 EuroLeague championship, scoring 35 points in the championship game to take home another Final Four MVP trophy. In early 2026, she returned to Fenerbahçe, winning her third career EuroLeague crown.

Co-Founding and Winning in Unrivaled

In July 2023, Stewart and her close friend, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, announced the creation of Unrivaled.

Unrivaled was designed as a player-first, professional 3-on-3 basketball league based in Miami, Florida. The league provides top female players with high salaries, equity ownership, and the opportunity to train and play in the United States during the winter months.

Stewart suited up for Mist BC and scored the very first basket in league history. In the 2026 championship game, she put on a masterclass performance, recording 32 points, five assists, and two blocks. She drained the game-winning shot in the final seconds to win the title, taking home the 2026 Unrivaled Finals MVP award.

United States National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Stewart began wearing the red, white, and blue of USA Basketball when she was just 14 years old. In 2009, she was the youngest player selected to the USA Under-16 national team. Despite her youth, she started every game and helped the team capture gold at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Mexico City.

The following summer, she started all eight games for the USA Under-17 team, helping them sweep their way to a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship in France. She averaged 12.8 points and led the tournament with 18 blocked shots.

In 2011, she was selected for the USA Under-19 team at just 16 years old. She led the squad in scoring with 11.2 points per game as the United States won the FIBA U19 World Championship in Chile. That same year, she became only the second high school player in history to be selected for the senior USA Pan American Games team. Because of these accomplishments, she was named the 2011 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.

In 2013, she returned to the Under-19 team as team captain in Lithuania. She led Team USA to an undefeated 9–0 tournament run, won her second Under-19 world gold medal, and took home tournament MVP honors.

Senior National Team and Olympic Gold Medals

Stewart made her full senior national team debut at the 2014 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, where she was the only college player on a roster full of WNBA veterans. She earned a gold medal as the United States dominated the tournament.

2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics

Stewart was named to the 2016 U.S. Olympic team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Playing an important role off the bench, she helped the United States breeze to an undefeated record and claim the gold medal. With that victory, she joined an elite group of women who have won an NCAA championship, a WNBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal.

2020 Tokyo Olympics

At the Tokyo Olympics, Stewart took on a central leadership role for Team USA. She posted outstanding numbers throughout the tournament, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. She was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and led the Americans to another Olympic gold medal.

2024 Paris Olympics

In 2024, Stewart traveled to Paris, France, for her third Olympic Games. Teaming up with Liberty teammate Sabrina Ionescu, Stewart anchored the defense and provided steady scoring. In a heart-pounding final against the host nation France, the United States held on for a dramatic 67–66 win. The victory gave Stewart her third straight Olympic gold medal and earned her a spot on the Olympic All-Star Five team.

World Cup Victories

Stewart has also dominated the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. She led the United States to gold medals in 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026. She was named tournament MVP in both 2018 in Spain and 2026 in Germany.

Life Off the Court

Family Life

Breanna Stewart is married to Marta Xargay Casademont, a former professional basketball player who competed in the WNBA and for the Spanish national team. The two met while playing as teammates for Dynamo Kursk in Russia. Stewart proposed in May 2021, and the couple married later that summer.

The couple has two children: a daughter named Ruby Mae, who was born in August 2021 shortly after Stewart won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and a son named Theo Josep, who was born in October 2023.

Business and Shoe Deals

Off the basketball floor, Stewart is an active entrepreneur. In 2021, she signed a major partnership with the athletic shoe company Puma.

In September 2022, Puma released the "Stewie 1 Quiet Fire," making Stewart the first female basketball player in more than a decade to have her own signature basketball shoe. The shoes were designed with personal touches that represent her playing style, her family, and her path to success. She has continued to release popular new editions of her signature shoes.

In 2025, Time magazine named Stewart to the prestigious Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world, celebrating her groundbreaking work in launching Unrivaled and creating fair business models for women athletes.

Career Statistics

WNBA Regular Season

College Statistics (UConn)

Major Awards and Achievements

WNBA and Professional Honors

• 3× WNBA Champion (2018, 2020, 2024)
• 2× WNBA Most Valuable Player (2018, 2023)
• 2× WNBA Finals MVP (2018, 2020)
• 8× WNBA All-Star (2017, 2018, 2021–2026)
• 6× All-WNBA First Team (2018, 2020–2024)
• WNBA Rookie of the Year (2016)
• 3× WNBA Commissioner's Cup Champion (2021, 2023, 2026)
• 2× WNBA Commissioner's Cup MVP (2021, 2026)
• Named to The W25 (Top 25 players in league history) (2021)
• Unrivaled Champion and Finals MVP (2026)
• 3× EuroLeague Women Champion (2021, 2023, 2026)
• 2× EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2021, 2023)
• EuroLeague Regular Season MVP (2019)

National Team Honors

• 3× Olympic Gold Medalist (2016, 2020, 2024)
• 4× FIBA Women's World Cup Gold Medalist (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
• 2× FIBA Women's World Cup MVP (2018, 2026)
• Olympic Tournament MVP (2020)
• 3× USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (2011, 2013, 2018)

College and High School Honors

• 4× NCAA Division I National Champion (2013–2016)
• 4× NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2013–2016)
• 3× Consensus National College Player of the Year (2014–2016)
• 3× Naismith College Player of the Year (2014–2016)
• 3× Wade Trophy Winner (2015, 2016)
• 2× John R. Wooden Award Winner (2015, 2016)
• Honda-Broderick Cup Winner (Top Female Collegiate Athlete) (2016)
• Naismith High School Player of the Year (2012)
• Gatorade National High School Athlete of the Year (2012)

Images for kids

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  Breanna Stewart receiving the Most Outstanding Player plaque at the 2012 Hoophall Classic

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  Stewart holding the prestigious Wade Trophy during her time at UConn in 2015

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  Stewart shooting a free throw for the Seattle Storm in 2017

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  Stewart meeting with activist Colin Kaepernick following a 2024 WNBA playoff victory

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  Ariel Massengale and Breanna Stewart after earning All-Tournament Team honors at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship

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  Stewart celebrating with fans at the New York Liberty championship parade in 2024

Related Pages

• List of WNBA career scoring leaders
• List of WNBA career rebounding leaders
• List of WNBA career blocks leaders
• UConn Huskies women's basketball