Tag: Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart on the WNBA’s new playoff system, her signature shoe and NBA 2K

Breanna Stewart talks dunking on NBA 2k, signature shoes and more

Breanna Stewart is a woman of many talents, the biggest of which is obviously basketball. She just wins MVPs and championships at every level she’s at.

On the WNBA side, the Seattle Storm are lucky to have her. Stewart is an unrestricted free agent but says she plans on being back with the team this year and adding to the two championships they already have together. She’s only 27 years old and has a lot more winning to do.

But that’s on the court. Off the court? She’s got the goods, too.

Stewart’s got plenty of partnerships to go around, including with NBA 2K. Stewart is partnering with 2K Sports and American Express to bring digital elements from the game into the real world from December 10 to December 12 in Downtown Los Angeles.

She was kind enough to chat with For The Win about this, and much more, via e-mail.

We talked about the fan experience she’s part of with NBA 2K, the sneaker history she’s about to make with Puma, and, of course, some good ole WNBA basketball.

Below is our conversation.

Breanna Stewart’s basketball resume just got a little wilder with the Storm’s WNBA Commissioner’s Cup win

This is greatness we’re watching.

Breanna Stewart is the Thanos of basketball. She’s really just out here collecting trophies and accolades like they’re Infinity Stones.

She added another one to her gauntlet on Thursday with the Seattle Storm’s 79-57 win over the Connecticut Sun for the WNBA’s very first Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

So, for those of us out of the know, the Commissioner’s Cup is a new in-season tournament the W put on for its 25th anniversary.

Throughout the season, prior to the Olympic break, there were 10 games per team that were designated as Commissioner’s Cup tournament games sprinkled throughout their schedule.

The two teams with the highest winning percentages in those games played for the championship. It ended up being the Sun and the Storm. The winning team got a $500,000 prize fund.

Obviously, the Storm won. And it was behind a dazzling 17 point performance from Stewart where she shot 6-8 from the field and 3-4 from deep. She was a +27 on the night.

That was all while knocking down shots like this.

And dominating on both ends like this.

Fresh off of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, too. She absolutely dominated. And with that, she won MVP of the Commissioner’s Cup — which is, apparently, a thing.

And that adds yet another stone to the infinity gauntlet that is Breanna Stewart’s resume. It just keeps growing despite the fact that she tore her Achilles in 2019.

It looks a little something like this now.

Just insane. She’s only 26 years old with all of that. This is absolutely the best basketball player in the world.

If she keeps this up, by the end of her career she’ll certainly be the most accomplished, too.

Watch this week’s episode of our sneaker unboxing series, Special Delivery

Breanna Stewart is getting a signature shoe with Puma and here’s why that’s so important

Breanna Stewart is Puma’s newest signature athlete.

Breanna Stewart is Puma’s newest signature athlete. The WNBA superstar announced that she inked a deal with Puma on Wednesday on The Boardroom with ESPN’s Nick DePaula.

It’s not just any old sneaker deal, though. She’ll be the only athlete on Puma’s current roster to have a signature shoe.

Players like LaMelo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and others have had player exclusive colorways, but not an entire signature model. Stewart will be their first and only signature athlete so far.

On top of that, and more importantly, she’ll be the 10th WNBA player to have a signature shoe model in league history. She’ll also be the first WNBA signature athlete in 10 years.

“Anytime you hear signature, I think that’s jaw-dropping. Eye opening. There haven’t been many — especially on the women’s side. The Air Swoopes, a while while back. So for Puma to be able to kind of put the signature element out there, respect me enough where they think that I deserve a signature shoe is super exciting.” 

This is just incredible on a number of levels, but let’s get to the big one. This is Breanna Stewart making history.

There just haven’t been many signature athletes that have come from women’s basketball. Big names like Cheryl Swoopes, Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker have had joints. Parker’s TS Ace Commander that dropped in 2010 was the last.

Stewart’s signature shoe will be the first one since. There’s really no good explanation for that gap — especially considering how much the WNBA has grown already both from a fiscal standpoint and a popularity standpoint.

It doesn’t just stop there, though. Stewart is about to get a spotlight that no Puma athlete in recent years has gotten.

J Cole is Puma’s current “signature athlete” and he’s a rapper. They’ve never had an athlete in that signature space — Stewart will be the first. And as the first, she’s going to be the headline for the brand. And that’s a big deal.

Puma rightfully believes in Stewart. Her resume is impeccable. She’s just 26 years old and has every possible award and accolade you could want a signature athlete to have. Women’s sports are also growing at an insane rate — particularly the WNBA.

This is less of a risk for Puma and more of a calculated investment. They’re letting one of the best basketball players in the world steer their basketball line as they move forward. And when it works, the rest of the industry will follow suit.

Watch our new Sneaker Unboxing video series, Special Delivery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf1ugultSr8

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‘Sports Illustrated’ Names 2020 Sportsperson of the Year: ‘The Activist Athlete’

‘Sports Illustrated’ Names
2020 Sportsperson of the Year:
‘The Activist Athlete’.
‘Sports Illustrated’ has announced
multiple prominent athletes as honorees for their
2020 Sportsperson of the Year. .
The honorees are
LeBron James, Breanna
Stewart, Patrick Mahomes,
Naomi Osaka and Laurent
Duvernay-Tardif. .
In an announcement for the honor, ‘SI’ said 2020
was the year of “The Activist Athlete.”.
If there is brightness in this dark year, it’s the
leadership — and sorely needed optimism —
shown by some of the nation’s top athletes
in facing down our many challenges, ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement .
James led the Lakers to the NBA title and worked
“tirelessly” to end voter suppression and ensure
“equal access to the polls.”.
Stewart led her team to
a WNBA title and “spoke
loudly” for women’s equality
and against racism.
Mahomes, who was named Super Bowl MVP, used his
platform to “push” the NFL to recognize the
Black Lives Matter movement. .
U.S. Open tennis champion Osaka “found her
voice” and fought against social injustice. .
Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the 2020 NFL season to return
to serve as a doctor on the front lines against COVID-19. .
Our Sportspersons of the Year set an
example of how to face and one day fix
[the issues and challenges of 2020].
With principle. With passion. And with
an athlete’s optimism—the belief that no
matter the obstacles, better days are ahead. , ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement

‘Sports Illustrated’ Names
2020 Sportsperson of the Year:
‘The Activist Athlete’.
‘Sports Illustrated’ has announced
multiple prominent athletes as honorees for their
2020 Sportsperson of the Year. .
The honorees are
LeBron James, Breanna
Stewart, Patrick Mahomes,
Naomi Osaka and Laurent
Duvernay-Tardif. .
In an announcement for the honor, ‘SI’ said 2020
was the year of “The Activist Athlete.”.
If there is brightness in this dark year, it’s the
leadership — and sorely needed optimism —
shown by some of the nation’s top athletes
in facing down our many challenges, ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement .
James led the Lakers to the NBA title and worked
“tirelessly” to end voter suppression and ensure
“equal access to the polls.”.
Stewart led her team to
a WNBA title and “spoke
loudly” for women’s equality
and against racism.
Mahomes, who was named Super Bowl MVP, used his
platform to “push” the NFL to recognize the
Black Lives Matter movement. .
U.S. Open tennis champion Osaka “found her
voice” and fought against social injustice. .
Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the 2020 NFL season to return
to serve as a doctor on the front lines against COVID-19. .
Our Sportspersons of the Year set an
example of how to face and one day fix
[the issues and challenges of 2020].
With principle. With passion. And with
an athlete’s optimism—the belief that no
matter the obstacles, better days are ahead. , ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement

‘Sports Illustrated’ Names 2020 Sportsperson of the Year: ‘The Activist Athlete’

‘Sports Illustrated’ Names
2020 Sportsperson of the Year:
‘The Activist Athlete’.
‘Sports Illustrated’ has announced
multiple prominent athletes as honorees for their
2020 Sportsperson of the Year. .
The honorees are
LeBron James, Breanna
Stewart, Patrick Mahomes,
Naomi Osaka and Laurent
Duvernay-Tardif. .
In an announcement for the honor, ‘SI’ said 2020
was the year of “The Activist Athlete.”.
If there is brightness in this dark year, it’s the
leadership — and sorely needed optimism —
shown by some of the nation’s top athletes
in facing down our many challenges, ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement .
James led the Lakers to the NBA title and worked
“tirelessly” to end voter suppression and ensure
“equal access to the polls.”.
Stewart led her team to
a WNBA title and “spoke
loudly” for women’s equality
and against racism.
Mahomes, who was named Super Bowl MVP, used his
platform to “push” the NFL to recognize the
Black Lives Matter movement. .
U.S. Open tennis champion Osaka “found her
voice” and fought against social injustice. .
Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the 2020 NFL season to return
to serve as a doctor on the front lines against COVID-19. .
Our Sportspersons of the Year set an
example of how to face and one day fix
[the issues and challenges of 2020].
With principle. With passion. And with
an athlete’s optimism—the belief that no
matter the obstacles, better days are ahead. , ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement

‘Sports Illustrated’ Names
2020 Sportsperson of the Year:
‘The Activist Athlete’.
‘Sports Illustrated’ has announced
multiple prominent athletes as honorees for their
2020 Sportsperson of the Year. .
The honorees are
LeBron James, Breanna
Stewart, Patrick Mahomes,
Naomi Osaka and Laurent
Duvernay-Tardif. .
In an announcement for the honor, ‘SI’ said 2020
was the year of “The Activist Athlete.”.
If there is brightness in this dark year, it’s the
leadership — and sorely needed optimism —
shown by some of the nation’s top athletes
in facing down our many challenges, ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement .
James led the Lakers to the NBA title and worked
“tirelessly” to end voter suppression and ensure
“equal access to the polls.”.
Stewart led her team to
a WNBA title and “spoke
loudly” for women’s equality
and against racism.
Mahomes, who was named Super Bowl MVP, used his
platform to “push” the NFL to recognize the
Black Lives Matter movement. .
U.S. Open tennis champion Osaka “found her
voice” and fought against social injustice. .
Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the 2020 NFL season to return
to serve as a doctor on the front lines against COVID-19. .
Our Sportspersons of the Year set an
example of how to face and one day fix
[the issues and challenges of 2020].
With principle. With passion. And with
an athlete’s optimism—the belief that no
matter the obstacles, better days are ahead. , ‘Sports Illustrated,’ via statement

LeBron James named a Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the year as an ‘activist athlete’

The Los Angeles Lakers star player was one of several athletes named as the Sportsperson of the Year for being ‘activist athletes.’

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The Los Angeles Lakers have been back in the gym as players finally began full-speed team workouts on Sunday.

Before the weekend, the Lakers brought back Quinn Cook, a key member of their team chemistry. On the same day the Lakers began team workouts, their star player was honored as one of the sportsworld’s people of the year.

Sports Illustrated announced its Sportsperson of the Year on Sunday, which focused on a type of athlete: The Activist Athlete. James was honored along with others, such as Breanna Stewart, Patrick Mahomes, Naomi Osaka and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

James, of course, has long been an activist in his sport, but he carried out his efforts this past season while winning his fourth NBA championship. James started a non-profit called “More Than A Vote” this past year to help make it easier for citizens, particularly Black citizens, to exercise their right to vote.

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LeBron James one of many NBA players to support WNBA tip-off

LeBron James was one of many NBA players to support the official start of the WNBA season on Saturday.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was one of many players across the NBA who sported WNBA-branded gear on Saturday in honor of the start of the WNBA.

The WNBA season kicked off for real on Saturday morning as No. 1 pick Sabrina Ionescu made her WNBA debut in an 87-71 loss at the hands of the 2018 WNBA champion Seattle Storm, who welcomed back 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart and veteran point guard Sue Bird after both missed the entirety of the 2019-20 season due to injury. James and the Lakers played in a scrimmage on Saturday against the Orlando Magic and James pulled up to the scrimmage with the orange WNBA hoodie that many other players wore on Saturday.

In addition to James, players around the league such as Oklahoma City’s Chris Paul and Portland’s Carmelo Anthony, posted photos of them in their WNBA hoodies to show support for the ladies who started their season this weekend.

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WNBA announces return in Florida with ‘commitment to social justice’

While everyone is waiting on the NBA to finalize a plan to return the WNBA announced their plan to play in Florida on Monday.

While the NBA and the NBPA continue to finalize details about their own return to play later this summer, their WNBA counterparts announced on Monday a commitment to a return to play with a focus on ‘social justice,’ including full salaries paid to every player in the shortened season, which will be played on the IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Florida, which is near Tampa.

“In our discussions with the league, we emphasized and they agreed that a strong commitment to a 2020 season will give the WNBA the chance to show the world that it’s taking the steps needed to secure our livelihood and well-being, while also providing the opportunity to amplify our collective voice,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike in a press release from the WNBA.  “We have always been at the forefront of initiatives with strong support of #BlackLivesMatter, #SayHerName, the LGBTQ+ community, gun control, voting rights, #MeToo, mental health and the list goes on.  This is not only necessary from a humanitarian perspective, but it may be one of the biggest opportunities that this league has and will ever have.”

There were reports that some WNBA players were part of Kyrie Irving’s phone call on Friday questioning the merits of a restart, it appears that the union has agreed with the league to move forward with the 2020 season. Just like with the WNBA, a season doesn’t mean that every player will play and we’ve already seen Minnesota Lynx star Maya Moore forego multiple seasons in committing her life to focus on freeing Jonathan Irons, a man she believes was wrongfully convicted, prior to the current political climate.

Per the WNBA’s release, the 12 WNBA teams will report to Bradenton for training camp in early July.

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