Since her college days, Brenna Stewart has consistently proven herself as one of the most talented female basketball players in the game. She’s shattered records, won championships, and advocated for social change—all in an eight-year professional career. So, here are 15 fascinating facts about this extraordinary athlete that every basketball fan should know.
An Unstoppable College Career
Breanna Stewart had a highly decorated college career in the NCAA. While at the University of Connecticut, she guided the Huskies to four straight national titles from 2013 to 2016, earning the NCAA Most Outstanding Player award each year. No other player in the NCAA’s history could ever compare.
Number One WNBA Draft Pick in 2016
In 2016, Stewart was the Seattle Storm’s first overall pick in the WNBA draft. She was already a household name at the time, so expectations were sky-high. Fortunately, the young player did not disappoint as she bagged a rookie award in her first season with an average of 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.
Played in the U16 Olympics at 14
At just 14 years old, she played for Team USA in the U16 FIBA Americas Championship as the youngest player on the team. Despite her age, Stewart held her own against older competition, helping the team secure the gold medal. This early international experience paved the way for her future success on the Olympic stage.
Two-Time WNBA Champion
With Stewart on the team, the Storms finally bagged their first WNBA championship win since 2010, crushing the Washington Mystics 3-0 in 2018. Another title followed this in 2020, where they equally routed the Las Vegas Aces 3-0. In both title runs, she was Finals MVP, which proved her ability to deliver when it matters most.
A Global Star in the EuroLeague
Aside from her WNBA success, Stewart has also made her mark internationally. She has played in Russia and Turkey for top European clubs, becoming a two-time EuroLeague champion in 2021 and 2023. Her stints overseas not only helped her hone her craft but made her one of the most recognizable faces in women’s basketball worldwide.
Coming Back Strong After an Achilles Injury
In 2019, Stewart faced a significant setback when she tore her Achilles tendon while playing overseas. Many wondered if she could return to her dominant form as she was unavailable for that season. But in 2020, she proved her doubters wrong by returning stronger than ever, leading the Storm to another WNBA title and earning another Finals MVP award.
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist
As a key player in Team USA, Stewart has represented the States at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, securing gold medals in both events. Four years after Tokyo’s win, she participated in the French Summer Olympics, where the USA won 67-66. As expected, Stewart left France with a third gold medal and a FIBA All-Star honor.
Dominating on Defense
While Stewart is known for her impressive scoring abilities, she is also a phenomenal defender. She consistently ranks among the top players in blocks and rebounds, with a career-high 1.8 blocks and 9.6 rebounds per game. Such remarkable figures clearly demonstrate her versatility as a player.
Breaking the WNBA Defensive Rebounding Record
Speaking of rebounds, in 2016, Breanna Stewart was the WNBA’s record holder for most defensive rebounds in a single season. The star grabbed 277 rebounds, surpassing the previous record set by Lisa Leslie in 2004. Despite this achievement, Stewart lost the rebounding title to Tina Charles, who outdid her with the most rebounds per game.
A Passionate Advocate for Social Justice
Off the court, Stewart uses her influence to fight various forms of social injustice. She has been vocal about gender equality, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter protests, she was one of the league’s leading voices, highlighting how athletes can be changemakers in society.
The WNBA Accolades Keep Piling Up
Each time Stewart steps on the court, she delivers a stellar performance, so don’t be surprised by the number of awards she’s earned. Beyond her national titles, she has five All-WNBA First Team nominations and two All-Defensive Team selections. She’s also a six-time WNBA All-Star team member and was the league’s scoring leader in 2022.
A Wife and a Mother
Though a shelf full of accolades is impressive, we’re glad to hear Stewart has equally won in love. She is married to retired basketball player Marta Xargay Casademont, whom she met during a stint with the Russian Dynamo Kursk from 2018 to 2019. They’ve been happily married since 2021 and have two kids, Ruby and Theo.
An Athlete and a Business Woman
This WNBA champion is worth $5 million, but sports is not her only source of income. Like other famous athletes, Stewart has signed brand deals with Nike and Puma and even inspired Puma’s 2022 shoe line Stewie 1 Quiet Fire. She has also founded a female basketball league called Unrivaled, which will launch in 2025.
Stewart is Not Her Maiden Name
Although she is widely known as Breanna Stewart, her birth name is Breanna Baldwin. After her mother married Brian Stewart, he adopted her and gave her his surname. Breanna has since claimed Brian as her father, crediting him for her success in the sport as he encouraged and guided her basketball training early on.
A Legacy Still Being Written
At just 26 years old in 2021, Breanna Stewart was listed among the top 25 WNBA players since the league’s inception. She continues to dominate the WNBA, and her legacy only grows with each passing season. Fans should probably expect more awards or activism, as her impact on and off the court will be felt for years.
15 Fascinating Facts About Breanna Stewart Every Basketball Fan Should Know