Former UConn Great Breanna Stewart Joins Elite WNBA Company While Winning Rookie of the Year Honors

STORRS, CT — Former University of Connecticut great Breanna Stewart, has been named the 2016 WNBA rookie of the year.

Stewart, now of the the Seattle Storm, led all first-year players in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots this season, the WNBA announced Thursday.

Stewart, a 6-fo0t-4 forward, and Seattle guard Jewell Loyd – the 2015 winner – make the Storm the first team in WNBA history to have the Rookie of the Year in consecutive seasons.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Stewart received 38 votes from a national panel of 39 sportswriters and broadcasters.

San Antonio Stars guard Moriah Jefferson, Stewart’s UConn teammate, was the only other player to receive a vote.

Stewart topped all rookies with 18.3 points (sixth in the WNBA), 9.3 rebounds (second) and 1.9 blocks (third).

She became the sixth player in WNBA history to reach all three of those averages in the same season, joining Sylvia Fowles, Yolanda Griffith, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker.

Photo Credit: WNBA