Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever: A Highly Anticipated WNBA Matchup

Breanna Stewart, born August 27, 1994, in North Syracuse, New York, is a professional basketball player known as "Stewie," currently a forward for the New York Liberty in the WNBA.[1][3][4][6] Standing 6'4" and weighing 170 pounds, she was the No. 1 overall pick by the Seattle Storm in the 2016 WNBA Draft after a storied college career at the University of Connecticut.[1][2][4] At UConn, Stewart led the Huskies to four consecutive NCAA national championships from 2013 to 2016, compiling a 151-5 record that included two undefeated seasons; she became the first player in NCAA history to win the Women's Final Four Most Outstanding Player award four times and the first four-time champion.[1][2][5] She ranks second all-time in UConn scoring (2,676 points), first in blocks (over 400), and is the only player with at least 400 blocks and 400 assists; she earned three Naismith and AP College Player of the Year honors.[1][2][5] In the WNBA, Stewart won Rookie of the Year in 2016 and secured two championships with Seattle in 2018 and 2020, earning Finals MVP both times; she claimed league MVP awards in 2018 and 2023, along with five All-Star selections, five All-WNBA First Team nods, and two All-Defensive First Team honors.[1][3][4] After leaving Seattle, she signed with the Liberty in 2023 in a high-profile free agency move.[3][4] Internationally, Stewart has five Olympic and FIBA World Cup gold medals, including Rio (2016), Tokyo (2020), and 2022 FIBA, and was the youngest U.S. Olympian in Rio.[1][3][6] In 2021, she became a mother while maintaining elite performance, signing a landmark PUMA deal as the WNBA's highest-paid endorser with a signature shoe.[3] As of mid-2024, she led the Liberty in scoring (19.9 ppg), rebounding (9.8 rpg), and steals (1.9 spg), helping them contend for playoffs amid strong league standings.[1][4] Stewart remains active and influential in women's basketball.[1][3][4]

**Teaira McCowan** is a professional basketball player who was born on September 28, 1996, in Brenham, Texas[2]. She plays the **center position** in the WNBA and is known for her rebounding prowess and defensive abilities. McCowan attended Mississippi State University, where she established herself as one of the most dominant rebounders in college basketball history[1]. During her senior year in 2018-19, she led the SEC in career rebounds and ranked second in NCAA Division I with 1,474 career rebounds[1]. Her exceptional college performance made her a highly sought-after prospect for the professional level. In the 2019 WNBA Draft, McCowan was selected in the first round as the third overall pick by the Indiana Fever[2]. She spent her first three seasons with Indiana from 2019 to 2021, establishing herself as a reliable presence in the league[2]. Following her time with the Fever, McCowan joined the Dallas Wings, where she played for four seasons from 2022 to 2025[2]. Beyond basketball, McCowan demonstrated athletic versatility during her high school years. She competed in volleyball and shot put, winning a silver medal at the Texas state championship as a senior[3]. This multi-sport background contributed to her overall athleticism and competitive drive. As of early 2026, McCowan's most recent professional affiliation was with the Dallas Wings, where she concluded her tenure in 2025[2]. Throughout her WNBA career, she has maintained her reputation as a skilled rebounder and defensive player, continuing the excellence she demonstrated during her college years at Mississippi State. Her journey from a multi-sport athlete in Texas to a professional basketball player represents a significant achievement in women's professional basketball.

Kelsey Marie Mitchell, born on November 26, 1993, in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, is a renowned Canadian track cyclist. She rose to prominence in a remarkably short period, transitioning from a university soccer player to an Olympic champion in cycling. Mitchell's early life was marked by involvement in various sports, including gymnastics, ringette, soccer, and basketball, but she never felt technically strong in any of them. However, she possessed a natural athleticism that would eventually serve her well in track cycling[5]. Mitchell's journey into professional cycling began after attending the RBC Training Ground event in 2017, where she impressed with her physical abilities, despite not owning a bike at the time[1][2]. This led to her recruitment by Cycling Canada, and she quickly adapted to the sport. By May 2018, she was training with the national team, and just a year later, she became a triple medallist at the 2018 Canadian Championships, including a national title in the sprint[1][2]. Kelsey Mitchell's achievements are notable. She won gold in the women's individual sprint and silver in the team sprint at the 2019 Pan American Games. She set a world record at the 2019 Pan American Track Cycling Championships, which laid the groundwork for her Olympic success[2]. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Mitchell claimed the gold medal in the sprint, marking only the second Olympic gold medal for a Canadian track cyclist[1]. Her success has made her a role model, inspiring aspiring athletes with her determination and resilience[3]. Currently, Mitchell continues to be a prominent figure in Canadian track cycling, celebrated for her incredible transition from soccer to becoming an Olympic champion. Her story serves as a testament to the power of hard work and the potential for athletes to excel in new disciplines when given the right opportunities[3][4].