As the summer approaches, most New Yorkers swap their winter coats for their favorite pair of sunnies and race to Central Park. But whenever the treacherous winter turns to summer sun, I have something else in mind: I start dreaming of fresh arena popcorn, a large Pepsi with light ice, flashes of seafoam green, and a dancing elephant that knows how to start a party. To me, summer in New York is synonymous with basically living at Barclays Center to watch the New York Liberty compete. And one of my favorite players among the reigning WNBA Champions? Breanna Stewart, of course.
Whether you’ve been around women’s basketball your whole life or are just now tuning in, chances are you know and love Stewie (a common nickname for the star) and are familiar with her very impressive resume. The eight-year WNBA veteran has won three total WNBA championships—one in 2024 with the Liberty, and two in 2018 and 2020 with the Seattle Storm. In those two series, Stewie was named Finals MVP for both. And when she was a starter at UConn, arguably the holy grail of women’s college basketball, she literally won the NCAA National Championship Every. Single. Year. she was there. I mean, rings don’t lie, right?
Most recently, she just wrapped a heavily successful first season of Unrivaled, the brand new three-on-three league—that Stewie co-founded along with fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier—as an alternative to playing overseas in the off season. She also just launched the fourth iteration of her signature Puma shoes, the Stewie 4 Prisms, which are kind of like a mirror of herself, she says. “I wanted the shoes to be reflective of me and who I am,” she says.
I had the pleasure of catching up with Stewie ahead of the upcoming WNBA season, which tips off on May 17. As a former collegiate basketball athlete myself, it has been a joy to witness the shift in perception of women’s sports, especially women’s hoops. Below, Stewie talks about life this past off-season (hello Spanish getaway!), the highly-anticipated drop of the Stewie 4 Prisms, ring night with the Liberty, and so much more. Keep scrolling for a deeper look on one of your favorite WNBA superstars.
You’ve been everywhere this off-season, especially after winning the WNBA Championship and Unrivaled’s first season. Has there been any time to unwind?
After we won the WNBA championship, my family and I went to Spain for two months. We were just chilling and living the European lifestyle. On a typical off day, I’m probably going out somewhere in Brooklyn with my wife, Marta, and doing something like go shopping, to the movies, or out to lunch. We’re lunch people right now more than dinner because we prioritize sleep too, but you can always do something in New York and that’s what we love about the city. I like to read. Actually, I finished a Colleen Hoover book at the Final Four in Tampa. I like fiction, one that’s just going to lock you in where I can be like, all right, next page.
Okay, yes two months in Spain! What are some of your travel must-haves, especially when you’re gone for a long time?
When I was in Miami for Unrivaled for about three months, I had to bring my Prada loafers because I never knew if I needed to dress up or dress down, my cargo jeans, and my Iseey Miyaki. I just love it. Now I’m just thinking about my closet. I need candles. Whether bring ’em or buy, I got to go to Target for my eucalyptus candles.
Unrivaled had such a successful first year! How do you want to see it grow?
Unrivaled was nothing short of incredible. I think something that we’ll build on is making sure that we continue to create more space for all these incredible players. Like, for example, having the injury reserve pool a little bit more dialed in. And then hopefully just a way to interact with the fans a little bit more. I’m so excited about that and just getting after it.
I know the Stewie 2s were named after your daughter, Ruby. Do the Prism 4s have any personal meaning?
There are simple nods. On the very front tip of the shoe it says, “Tell your story” just as a way to encourage people to be themselves and know that everybody’s story and journey is a little bit different; that no one way is right or wrong. Overall, I wanted the shoe to have these electric, eye-popping colors and a little bit of iridescent sparkles. I wanted it to be a shoe that everybody sees and is like, ‘Oh, what is that? How can I get that?’
How do you see your shoes evolving?
We’re well in the works for the Stewie 5s, so I can’t really give you too much just yet. But I can say that the next one is kind of…futuristic.
Speaking of the future, this is your second year with your camp Stewie 30. I love what you’re doing for the next generation. What does it mean to you to give back to women’s basketball, especially in the crucial years of recruiting?
I had this panel a few weeks ago and one of the questions I was asked was, ‘How are we going to prioritize giving back to the elite-level players?’ I’m trying to do it through my camp. There’s a lot of giving back to just the overall girls’ basketball and younger kids’ camps, but I want the best of the best—the top 20 juniors and top 10 sophomores—to be able showcase their skill, yes, but also take things with them to their high school season, AAU, or the next level, and bridge the gap. I realized when I was in high school that I didn’t have a pro that I could ask questions. Those young women that are coming to my camp, I want them to be able to connect with me, obviously in person, but also whenever they need me from afar too.
It’s so important to bridge that gap. Heading back into The W after winning the championship last season, what are you most looking forward to about Ring Night at the Barclays?
Being with our fans. I can’t wait to get the rings and see them, but the one thing that I’m really missing is goosebumps—that feeling when the arena is full and just knowing that everybody is there supporting us. Getting our rings, seeing that banner drop—the first one ever for the Liberty—it means a lot to the organization, but to the City, too.
I loved seeing all your tunnel fits this last season. What can we expect from your look that night?
Throughout the season, I’ll trickle in some fancier fits, especially Opening Day and Ring Night, just to make sure that that ‘fit is one to remember. I also want to make sure that I’m wearing stuff that I can rewear. I don’t want to just have all these clothes and then I don’t have a big enough closet for that. My style is definitely sporty chic. If I’m going to go out to dinner, I want to make sure I’m comfortable, but also that I look good. It’s important that I’m looking good and feeling good, so that I can play good!
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