Stewart heads to N.Y. in free agency
Breanna Stewart couldn’t turn down a chance to play in New York and potentially help the Liberty win their first WNBA championship.
The most coveted free agent this offseason, who won the WNBA MVP award in 2018, announced on social media that she was going to New York with a photo of her in a Liberty shirt on Wednesday. Stewart had spent her entire career in Seattle since the Storm drafted her No. 1 overall in 2016. She won two championships with the team in 2018 and 2020.
“I decided to go to New York as I wanted to continue to be great. And I wanted to go to the place where I think I can help this league become better, to raise the standard,” Stewart said in an interview on ESPN. “I feel like why not go to the biggest market in all of sports. I’m excited to go after their first championship.”
The 28-year-old wing has averaged 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in her WNBA career. She missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury.
“New York is a basketball city and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” Stewart said.
By coming to New York it brings Stewart closer to home. She grew up in Syracuse which is an hour flight from New York. It also is an easier flight to Spain to see her wife Marta’s family.
The move turns the Liberty into an instant championship contender. New York is one of the WNBAS original franchises, but has never won a championship. The Liberty already added 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones and Kayla Thornton through a threeway deal to complement 2020 No. 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu.
Wednesday was the first day that free agents could sign with teams. Other moves:
Brittney Sykes with Washington
Lexie Brown and Stephanie Talbot with Los Angeles Teaira Mccowan with Dallas Alysha Clark with Las Vegas