First-time Olympian Stewart makes mark in drive for gold
At 14 years old, RIO DE JANEIRO Breanna Stewart received an invitation to try out for USA Basketball’s under-16 national team.
“My dad said no. I said, ‘Dad, I have to go to this,’ ” Stewart said. “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. We had tryouts, and I made the team. It was a huge deal, because I hadn’t played a national level.”
Stewart, who won four national titles at Connecticut and is a rookie this season for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, has been a part of USA Basketball ever since, often playing in older age groups.
Stewart, 21, won a FIBA Americas championship on the Under-16 team in 2009, a world championship the next year on the Under-17 team, a world championship on the Under-19 team in 2011, a FIBA Americas championship in 2012, a FIBA Under-19 world championship in 2013 and a FIBA world championship in 2014.
No other American female basketball player has won as many international championships as Stewart at this age. She wants to add an Olympic gold medal to her impressive USA Basketball résumé.
“Playing on the international stage, I have a comfort level with that. I know what it’s about,” the 6-4 forward said.
The youngest player on the Olympic team by four years, she has been one of the last players to check in in the USA’s three lopsided victories.
“I don’t feel as bad not playing Stewie, because I know she’s not going to come up to me and start moaning and groaning about why she’s not playing. She’s too young,” U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said. “Four years from now if I’m coaching Stewie, she’ll be complaining. ‘How come I’m not getting enough playing time?’ ”
But when she plays, she produces. Stewart has scored 40 points in 40 minutes and is shooting 75% from the field in three games. In a 110-84 win Wednesday against Serbia, she had 17 points and five rebounds.
“One thing is for certain is I’m not afraid to use Stewie in any situation,” Auriemma said. “She’s proven she can handle that.
“Now, moving forward, everything she does will be the first time she’s done it in the Olympics. I just want her to gradually grow into it.”
After winning four consecutive titles at U-Conn and earning Most Outstanding Player honors in each Final Four, Stewart has made an exceptional transition to the WNBA.
She is fifth in scoring (19.2 points per game), second in rebounds (9.3), third in blocks (2.1) and first in minutes (35.2).
The biggest adjustment for Stewart? Dealing with losing.
The Storm have lost 15 games this season — more than Stewart lost in high school, college and USA Basketball combined.
“I haven’t lost like that in a while, I don’t think ever,” Stewart said. “You have to get used to that. It’s been a process and a learning experience. I have to constantly remind myself we have a young team and haven’t played together a lot. In the WNBA, you don’t have a lot of prep time.
“We’re getting better every day. Every game except a few, we’ve been in and had a chance to win.”
“I’m not afraid to use Stewie in any situation. ... I just want her to gradually grow into it.” Geno Auriemma, U.S. women’s coach, on first-time Olympian Breanna Stewart