The WNBA free agency started with a bang. Forward Breanna Stewart, who was the league MVP in 2018, decided to leave Seattle Storm and will sign with the New York Liberty.
Stewart was the most prominent free agent in WNBA this offseason and was aggressively recruited by several franchises, including Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics. However, the Liberty presented the best case and managed to add another superstar to its already star-studded roster that includes All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu and 2021’s MVP Jonquel Jones.
Speaking with ESPN’s Malika Andrews about her decision, Stewart said that she decided to go to New York because she wants to “continue to be great” and “continue to help this league become better”.
“I feel like, why not go to the biggest market in all of the sports, and I’m really excited to go after their first championship,” Stewart added.
Breanna Stewart was selected by the Storm as the first overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft out of UConn. During her six years in Seattle, she helped the franchise win two WNBA championships, earning the WNBA Finals MVP on both occasions. Stewart also received four All-WNBA First Team nods and was selected to the WNBA All-Star games four times. Her career averages include 20.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
Stewart also built an accomplished career overseas. She played in China, Russia, and Turkey, and has EuroLeague regular season MVP award and EuroLeague championship on her resume.
