Stewart Leads USA Basketball Amid Pressure to Extend World Cup Dominance
Veteran forward Breanna Stewart says the U.S. women's team must embrace the pressure as they chase a fifth straight World Cup title.
Breanna Stewart, now 32, leads a U.S. women's basketball squad that aims to win a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup. After a historically low offensive showing, Stewart opened the latest game against the Czech Republic with 11 points, helping the team build a 29-15 lead. She emphasized embracing, not fearing, the pressure and urged teammates to focus on the effort rather than the outcome.
Rookie Caitlin Clark recalled Stewart’s pep talk in the weight room after a tight win over Italy, while Angel Reese praised Stewart’s veteran leadership. Coach Kara Lawson highlighted Stewart and Napheesa Collier as essential veteran presences as the team prepares for a quarter-final matchup against the winner of Hungary versus Japan.
Related stories
3 in this thread