Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Breanna Stewart

Discover the career path of Breanna Stewart, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Breanna Stewart, nicknamed "Stewie", is a highly accomplished American professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. Recognized as one of the greatest in women's basketball history, she has achieved significant success both domestically and internationally. She also co-founded the Unrivaled basketball league with Napheesa Collier.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: Storm's Last Finals Appearance

In 2018, the Storm advanced to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

2011: Commitment to UConn

In 2011, after a campus visit to UConn, Breanna Stewart committed to the University of Connecticut and signed her commitment letter.

January 31, 2012: Scored 2,000th Point

On January 31, 2012, Breanna Stewart achieved a milestone when she scored her 2,000th point during a 31–0 run against Auburn.

March 2013: Big East and NCAA Tournament Success

In March 2013, after starting early morning sessions to improve her shooting, Breanna Stewart performed strongly in the Big East tournament and continued her success in the NCAA tournament, earning the award of the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

2013: Continued Stellar Play

In 2013, Breanna Stewart was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

2014: American Athletic Conference Player of the Year

In 2014, Breanna Stewart earned American Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors for the second straight year.

2014: AP Player of the Year

In 2014, Breanna Stewart was named AP Player of the Year.

2014: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

In 2014, Breanna Stewart won a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup as a member of the U.S. women's national team.

2015: Continued Excellence in Postseason

In 2015, Breanna Stewart continued to elevate her game during UConn's postseason run, averaging 18.1 points and 10.7 rebounds.

2016: Signed with Shanghai Baoshan Dahua

During her rookie season, Stewart signed with Shanghai Baoshan Dahua of the WCBA for the 2016–17 Chinese season.

2016: WNBA Debut, Rookie of the Year, and ESPY Awards

In 2016, Breanna Stewart was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm, made an immediate impact, won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, broke the WNBA record for most defensive rebounds in a season, and won two ESPY Awards including Best Female Athlete.

2016: First Overall WNBA Draft Pick and Rookie of the Year

In 2016, Breanna Stewart was the first overall pick in the WNBA draft and was named the 2016 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Breanna Stewart won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. women's national team at the Olympics.

August 5, 2017: Season-High 32 Points

On August 5, 2017, Breanna Stewart scored a season-high 32 points in an 87–80 overtime loss to the San Antonio Stars.

2017: Re-signed with Shanghai Baoshan Dahua

In 2017, Stewart re-signed with Shanghai Baoshan Dahua for the 2017–18 WCBA season.

2017: WNBA All-Star Selection

In 2017, Stewart was named an All-Star.

June 2018: Signs with Dynamo Kursk

In June 2018, Breanna Stewart signed with Dynamo Kursk of the Russian Premier League.

August 6, 2018: Season-High 32 Points against the New York Liberty

On August 6, 2018, Breanna Stewart scored a season-high 32 points in a 96–80 victory over the New York Liberty.

2018: Second FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

In 2018, Breanna Stewart won her second gold medal at the FIBA World Cup as a member of the U.S. women's national team.

2018: WNBA MVP and Championship

In 2018, Stewart was named the WNBA MVP, and led the Storm to a championship. She also received the WNBA Finals MVP award.

2019: Torn Achilles Injury

In 2019, Breanna Stewart missed the entire WNBA season after suffering a torn Achilles while playing for Dynamo Kursk in the EuroLeague Women final on April 14. She later became a paid ambassador for the league.

February 2020: Signs with UMMC Ekaterinburg

In February 2020, Breanna Stewart signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the remainder of the 2019–20 European season.

July 2020: Return to Playing

In July 2020, Breanna Stewart returned to playing, rejoining her teammates at the IMG Academy for training.

November 2020: Re-signs with UMMC Ekaterinburg

In November 2020, Breanna Stewart re-signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2020–21 European season.

2020: Second Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Breanna Stewart won another gold medal as a member of the U.S. women's national team at the Olympics.

2020: Second WNBA Championship

In 2020, she led the Storm to their second championship.

2021: Named to The W25

During the WNBA's 25th season in 2021, Breanna Stewart was named to The W25 as one of the top 25 players in league history.

July 2022: Signs with Fenerbahçe SK

On July 1, 2022, Breanna Stewart signed with Fenerbahçe SK for the EuroLeague Women season.

September 2022: Releases Stewie 1 Quiet Fire

In September 2022, Breanna Stewart released Puma's first female signature shoes in over a decade, called "Stewie 1 Quiet Fire".

2022: Third FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

In 2022, Breanna Stewart secured her third gold medal at the FIBA World Cup with the U.S. women's national team.

2022: WNBA All-Star Selection

In 2022, Stewart was named an All-Star.

February 1, 2023: Signed with the New York Liberty

On February 1, 2023, Breanna Stewart signed with the New York Liberty in free agency.

2023: WNBA MVP and All-Star Selection

In 2023, Stewart was named the WNBA MVP and was named an All-Star.

June 2024: Named to Olympic Team

In June 2024, Breanna Stewart was named to her third US women's Olympic team to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, alongside fellow Liberty teammate, Sabrina Ionescu.

July 9, 2024: Announced to play in Unrivaled league

On July 9, 2024, Breanna Stewart was formally announced to play in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by herself and Napheesa Collier in July 2023. She also scored the first basket in league history.

July 2024: Signs with Team Ally

In July 2024, when Ally Financial was announced as Unrivaled's first and founding brand partner, Breanna Stewart also signed with and joined Team Ally as an athlete.

October 20, 2024: New York Liberty Wins First WNBA Championship

On October 20, 2024, the New York Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart, secured its first-ever WNBA Championship in franchise history by defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a 3-2 Finals series.