This WNBA season has certainly been eventful for Brianna Stewart, with injuries, shooting struggles, and challenges for the Liberty team overall.
Still, former Husky coach Geno Auriemma isn’t overly concerned about her. He expressed confidence in her performance during crucial games at Big East Media Day on Tuesday. He also hopes the Liberty can find a strong coach and build a solid team around her, noting that she’s an outstanding person in the city.
The season had its share of difficulties for the Liberty. Even though they welcomed back key players, the absence of Bethnia Laney Hamilton (due to knee surgery) and Kayla Thornton (from the expansion draft) was felt significantly.
The Liberty had a remarkable 9-0 start to the season, a franchise record, as they aimed to defend their title. Unfortunately, injuries hampered their progress, leading to an early exit in the playoffs.
From a personal viewpoint, Stewart’s performance dipped below her usual standards this season. She led the team with an average of 18.3 points per game, the lowest since her rookie year in 2016.
Her shooting percentage from deep also took a hit, dropping to a career-low of 24.1 percent—5 percent less than the previous year—and she attempted fewer three-pointers per game than ever before.
Auriemma highlighted Stewart’s struggles, stating that she missed more jump shots this season than he had seen in the past seven years. He compared it to a baseball player who suddenly drops in performance after consistently hitting well. It happens, he remarked; it’s simply part of the game.
Even with her challenges, Stewart remained the Liberty’s most dependable player, ranking second in rebounds (averaging 6.5) and third in assists (3.5).
She played a crucial role in the playoffs, particularly in Game 3. Battling through a knee injury, Stewart scored a team-high 30 points, along with nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. However, it wasn’t enough to prevent an early playoff elimination.
Auriemma understands the difficulty of winning consecutive titles and acknowledged some of the Liberty’s challenges were beyond their control.
He remarked on the misconception that it should be easy to repeat success because of a similar core roster, asserting that many elements must align for it to happen. If injuries hadn’t plagued the team, things might have turned out differently, he suggested, and emphasized that being in the Final Four gives any team a chance at success.
He also commended Stewart for her efforts in the playoffs, despite her knee injury sustained during Game 1.
Auriemma recalled being surprised by Stewart’s performance last year, particularly during the finals. He noted that it was the first time he’d seen her struggle in such significant moments. Yet, her determination shone through, especially when expectations are matched with the talent on the floor, he added.
