00:00New York Liberty superstar Brianna Stewart is usually known for her incredible skill
00:14set on the basketball court.
00:16But let's be real, the true highlight was her pre-game outfit that had everyone talking.
00:21Stewart strutted in wearing a camouflage ensemble that looked like it was straight off the clearance
00:26rack at the Walmart hunting section, rocking a cargo jacket and pants paired with a white
00:31shirt and some shades.
00:33Despite the fashion faux pas, let's not forget why Stewart remains a fan favorite, her game.
00:38Known on the court as number 30 for the New York Liberty but undeniably number 1 in the
00:43hearts of fans.
00:44Coming off a thrilling victory against the Connecticut Sun, where the Liberty overcame
00:48a halftime deficit, Stewart credited the fans for their unwavering energy and support.
00:54The energy in Barclays has been electric all season long, she said.
00:59This resilience turned the tide in their favor, setting the stage for a decisive game 3 in
01:04Connecticut.
01:05Returning to her home state and making history as the first Liberty player to win the MVP
01:10award, Stewart couldn't hide her emotions.
01:13Goosebumps, she admitted, acknowledging the honor and the responsibility of elevating
01:18the Liberty to championship contenders.
01:21The MVP race was a nail-biter, with Stewart, Alyssa Thomas and Aja Wilson each making a
01:26strong case.
01:27It shows how incredible this league is, Stewart commented, highlighting the strength and talent
01:32within the WNBA.
01:33Reflecting on her impressive stats, Stewart's performance in New York has been nothing short
01:38of spectacular, setting records with 45 points in 30 minutes, achieving multiple 40-point
01:4410-rebound games, and averaging a career-high 23 points.
01:48Stewart's dominance is clear.
01:51When asked about the transformation from her first MVP win in 2018 with Seattle to now,
01:56she shared,
01:57Life has changed a lot from 2018 to 2023, expressing gratitude for her family's support,
02:04including her wife Marta and daughter Ruby.
02:07Stewart also drew inspiration from Coco Goff's words after winning the US Open.
02:12Goff mentioned that those who tried to dampen her spirit only fueled her fire, a sentiment
02:17that resonated deeply with Stewart.
02:20Not everybody's going to be on my side, but I'm going to still shine bright, she asserted,
02:25embodying the spirit of resilience and determination.
02:28But before she became an MVP and a household name, Brianna Stewart's journey began in Syracuse,
02:34New York, where her early years were marked by both challenges and triumphs.
02:40Brianna Stewart, born Brina Mackenzie Baldwin in Syracuse, New York, to a single mother,
02:45Heather Baldwin.
02:47Her biological father was not involved in her life, and her mother worked multiple jobs
02:51to support herself and her daughter.
02:53When Stewart was a toddler, her mother began dating Brian Stewart.
02:57She has a younger half-brother, Connor.
02:59Stewart began playing basketball at an early age.
03:02Due to her height, her coaches wanted her inside as a rebounder, but her father encouraged
03:07her to practice ball-handling skills and a perimeter shooting ability.
03:11She started a daily routine of dribbling around her block, wearing headphones, for a mile.
03:16Her routine improved her ball-handling to the point she routinely dribbled behind her
03:20back or between her legs.
03:22Even after heading off to college, she still did the routine at home.
03:26In a 2017 essay in the Player's Tribune, Stewart publicly revealed that she had been a victim
03:31of sexual abuse from age 9 to 11.
03:35She reported the abuse to her parents, who immediately called the police.
03:38The perpetrator, who was married to her maternal aunt, confessed to the abuse and ultimately
03:44served prison time.
03:45These early experiences, filled with personal trials and relentless practice, laid the foundation
03:50for Stewart's future success and unwavering spirit.
03:53Next, let's delve into Brianna Stewart's professional career.
03:57Brianna Stewart's WNBA journey began in 2016 when she was drafted first overall by the
04:03Seattle Storm.
04:05She quickly made her mark by scoring 23 points in her debut game against the Los Angeles
04:10Sparks.
04:11Stewart's exceptional performance continued throughout the season, leading her to win
04:15the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
04:18In the subsequent years, she further solidified her status as a superstar, earning multiple
04:23All-Star selections and accolades, including the 2018 WNBA MVP award.
04:29However, tragedy struck in 2019 when Stewart suffered a devastating injury while playing
04:35for Russian club Dynamo Kursk in the EuroLeague Women final.
04:39She was later confirmed to be a torn Achilles tendon, an injury known for its long and arduous
04:44recovery process.
04:46This setback forced her to miss the entire 2019 WNBA season, casting doubt on her future
04:52in the sport.
04:53Despite the challenges posed by her injury, Stewart's resilience and determination shone
04:58through as she underwent surgery and embarked on an intensive rehabilitation regimen.
05:03Her triumphant comeback came in July 2020 when Stewart rejoined her teammates at the
05:08IMG Academy for training.
05:10She not only resumed her dominant play but also led the storm to their second WNBA title,
05:16earning the 2020 WNBA Finals MVP award.
05:20With her injury behind her, Stewart continues to excel on the court, earning recognition
05:25as one of the top players in WNBA history, during the league's 25th season in 2021.
05:31Now, let's turn the spotlight to another aspect of her life.
05:36Her relationship with her wife, Marta Sargay.
05:39In the game of love, Brianna Stewart found her perfect teammate in former WNBA and EuroLeague
05:45basketball player, Marta Sargay.
05:48Their love story began on the courts of Dynamo Kursk, where sparks flew between the two athletes.
05:54After dating for some time, Stewart popped the question in May 2021, and the couple exchanged
05:59vows on July 6, 2021, in a picturesque ceremony atop Stewart's apartment building.
06:05Their love story didn't stop there.
06:08Just 48 hours after Stewart clinched an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, the couple welcomed their
06:13daughter Ruby Mae Stewart Sargay into the world via surrogacy on August 9, 2021.
06:19Their joy only multiplied when, on May 14, 2023, they announced they were expecting their
06:26second child.
06:27True to their word, on October 25, 2023, their son Theo Joseph Stewart Sargay made his grand
06:35entrance, completing their beautiful family.
06:37Brianna Stewart's impact extends far beyond her basketball prowess.
06:41Rising to become one of the most influential players in the WNBA, Stewart's achievements
06:47have solidified her status as a sporting icon.
06:50As of 2024, her numerous titles and MVP awards have contributed to an impressive net worth
06:56of $5 million, signifying not only her financial success, but also her profound influence and
07:03stature in the world of sports.
07:05Her influence transcends the court through her lucrative endorsement deals.
07:09In 2016, Stewart inked a multi-year partnership with Nike, followed by another multi-year
07:15endorsement with Puma in 2021, demonstrating her marketability and appeal.
07:21In September 2022, Stewart released the first female signature shoes in over a decade, the
07:27Stewie One Quiet Fire, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and fashion-forward approach.
07:34Stewart's illustrious career is adorned with an array of achievements, including being
07:38named to the 2022 FIBA World Cup All-Star 5 and earning the 2018 FIBA World Cup MVP
07:46and All-Star 5 honors.
07:47And that's a wrap on Brianna Stewart's incredible journey.
07:50If you enjoyed this deep dive, make sure to like, subscribe and hit that notification
07:54bell for more athlete stories and highlights.
07:57Until next time, keep ballin'!
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