The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup crowned Breanna Stewart its MVP. In the WNBA, A’ja Wilson has dominated the MVP awards, winning it three times since 2022. However, following Stewart winning her second World Cup MVP, and everything she has achieved in her career so far, NBC Sports’ Owen Pence asked if Stewart feels overlooked.
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In response, Stewart explained that she didn’t need accolades to make up her mind about what she thought of her abilities.
“Honestly, I know that I’m the best. I feel that every time I step on the court. Nobody can do what I do. I’m detaching from judgment,” Stewart told Owen Pence.
Stewart had the best season of her career since 2023, her first season with the Liberty. During her time with the Seattle Storm, she was in the conversation for the best player in the world. In the last few years, that conversation has been largely dominated by Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and for some, even Caitlin Clark is showing early signs.
Meanwhile, the New York Liberty star has kept her head down and worked. In fact, this season Stewart recorded her best offensive season in three years. She averaged 20.8 points while shooting 47.4% from the field, along with 3.3 assists. But her elite season wasn’t limited to just one end. She also recorded 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 42 appearances.
While she had one of her best seasons, after early success, the Liberty found themselves sliding down in the rankings. New York finished 8th in the standings and faced the best team in the league in the opening round.
Yet a week later, Stewart led her team to stun the regular-season leaders, the Minnesota Lynx, as New York swept them 2-0.
“Don’t bet on anybody else other than her. It’s been like that since she was 15 years old, when I first saw her play.”
Stewart’s UConn head coach Gino Auriemma said on Thursday at Big East Media Day.
“When you do look at her career, you look back, and you realize there’s a regular-season Breanna Stewart and then there’s a postseason Breanna Stewart,” Auriemma said, per the New York Post.
“And Breanna Stewart probably plays in the playoffs as good as anybody I’ve ever seen, except maybe [Diana Taurasi] in terms of winning when you have to win, winning in knockout games.”
The Liberty were counted out against the Lynx. The narrative of the Liberty being the underdog only fueled the two-time MVP. In Game 1, New York beat Minnesota 91-75. Stewart led all players with 34 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
In the next game, the Liberty completed a 2-0 sweep with an 87-71 win. Stewart recorded 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Her carrying the Liberty to the second round has the same script as the FIBA World Cup last month. Without A’ja Wilson and the loaded French team dominating the World Cup, there were questions about whether Stewart would be able to lead Team USA with a mix of young debutants and veteran players to the top of the world.
As Auriemma said, it is always a bad idea to doubt Stewart when there is a medal or a trophy at stake. Stewart struck again, leading all players with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, leading Team USA to its fifth consecutive gold medal in the World Cup.
In the next round of the playoffs, Stewart and the Liberty will face the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals. The five-game series will start on Sunday in Atlanta. The Liberty are again underdogs, and Stewart will be ready to prove her doubters wrong.