New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
UConn great Stewart lands in New York: ‘Can you believe it?’
Former UConn women's basketball star Breanna Stewart traveled to her introductory press conference Wednesday morning in Brooklyn with Courtney Vandersloot, who also signed a free agent contract with the WNBA's New York Liberty.
The two friends reflect on the drive about their decision join the Liberty together.
“It's like ‘Can you believe it?' ” Stewart said in front of a gathering of reporters at the Barclays Center. “We can't believe that it's actually here. We actually are able to make it happen.”
They've made is a super team in Brooklyn, as Stewart and Vandersloot join Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones to form one of the most talented rosters in the league. It's a significant move for Stewart, the 2022 WNBA scoring leader and former MVP who has spent her entire career with the Seattle Storm since being drafted first overall out of UConn in 2016.
Stewart emerged as a star in Seattle, sharing the court with another Husky great, Sue Bird. The duo helped the Storm win two WNBA titles and Stewart was named WNBA Finals MVP in both years (2018, 2020).
When Stewart had an opportunity at free agency after the 2021 season, she decided to stay in Seattle. The reason? Because Bird was returning for another season.
The dynamic changed this offseason after Bird retired.
“I don't think last year I was ready to completely leave Seattle, especially with Sue coming back, wanting to really enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to play with the one of the greatest to ever play,” Stewart said.
With Bird retiring, Stewart began to consider her options. Taking free agency more seriously this go-around brought the four-time NCAA champion back to her college days
Stewart was the No. 1 recruit coming out of CiceroNorth Syracuse High 11 years ago. She of course chose UConn.
This winter, Stewart also talked to the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx before choosing between the Liberty and remaining with the Storm.
“I think the recruitment process, it's wild to have
done it two years in a row,” Stewart said. “Because it brings me back to just college recruiting, just the way it goes like that meeting people seeing organizations,”
Stewart did have some fun through this recruiting process. Knowing she was the most talked about players on the free agent market, Stewart thought she would give the public more to decipher on social media.
Cue emoji-gate.
Stewart began tweeting ambiguous emojis for fans and media to overanalyze as they searched for free agency clues. She said that some of the emoji crumbs made sense while others didn't.
“I just really enjoyed the ‘emoji time.' I thought of a way to bring in some playful opportunities and situations,” Stewart said. “Some of them did make sense. The equal sign was just like perfectly placed in the middle. It wasn't an equation, just for equality, but the way it was lined up was different.
“But I think some made sense and some didn't, but continuing to just advocate the things that we need, airplanes, charter (flights) equals equality, money, obviously everyone knows what that means.”
As she alluded to with her emojis, Stewart began advocating during free agency for improved travel in the WNBA through the use of charter flights.
“We're fighting to elevate the standard and I think I've said this before, but it's something that hopefully it's not just a no to a maybe and then hopefully eventually can turn to a yes in regards to charter flights,” Stewart said. “We're never going to stop working and trying to be better. I talked about
greatness before and I found this organization but also beyond.
“I want to make sure that when I'm done playing, which hopefully isn't for a while, but the next generation that comes in and the waves after that, they're going to be set up to have success and not have to worry about tedious things and they just can only try and be better and more great.”
The Liberty, owned by Yale graduate Joseph Tsai, showed a willingness to support Stewart's endeavors. New York was also appealing geographically for the New York state native and the team is poised to be a title contender.
“What ultimately helped me decide on New York, obviously, closer to home. I had roots here. but I want to be surrounded by greatness,” Stewart said. “When you look at these people up here (on the podium), and the many people that are a part of the Liberty organization, everybody wants to be better. Everybody wants to continue to raise the standard and move the needle.”
The Liberty acquired 2021 MVP and four-time WNBA All-Star Jones from the Connecticut Sun last month. Ionescu, New York's first overall pick in the 2020 and already a WNBA All-Star, helps complete a strong starting lineup.
The Liberty roster also includes guard/forward Betnijah Laney and another former UConn star, forward Stefanie Dolson. And the team is coached by Sandy Brondello, who led the Phoenix Mercury to the 2014 WNBA title.
New York has not had a professional basketball title since the Knicks won the 1973 NBA championship. The Nets, who share
the Barclays Center with the Liberty, have dismantled their star-studded team by trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
So Stewart and the Liberty pose the best chance of bringing a championship for New York.
“It's gonna be really exciting just because we have a ton of talent. You can look at the roster from top to bottom and it's tough to find any holes in it just from what players can do,” Stewart.
Vandersloot is fourtime WNBA All-Star who spent the last 11 seasons with the Chicago Sky. She won a title in Chicago and has been one of the league's best point guards.
Stewart and Vandersloot have been friends for years and played overseas together. Then they hit the free agent market together.
And on Wednesday, they shared the podium in Brooklyn.
“We were in conversations very early on. We were in constant communication and we both expressed that we wanted to play together. But I think, of course, we had to make the best decision for ourselves,” Vandersloot said. “Our goals aligned and we both saw our futures being really bright here in New York.”
Said Stewart, “We both wanted to play together in the WNBA and go after a WNBA championship together. It's much better to be on her side than than fighting against her. And we're really excited with the opportunity . ... We have all the pieces to go after a championship and now it's just getting ready for that and getting ready for the season.”