ZARAGOZA (Spain) - Even if she hasn't yet worn a Fenerbahce Opet jersey this season, don't rule out Breanna Stewart from having the decisive say in her team's quest to be crowned EuroLeague Women champions.
The American superstar has landed at Final Six in Zaragoza and is gearing up to make an impact in Friday's Semi-Final against Spar Girona - even if she's surprised to find herself back with the Istanbul juggernauts.
"Fenerbahce reached out to me and at first I didn't think it was a real possibility," smiled Stewart.
"But the dates and the timelines worked out, so to have another opportunity to play in Europe is something that excites me."
"It's the sense of pride of representing a club like Fenerbahce, it's huge - and also having the chance of going after another one is important," she said.
Winning the first ever, you just can't recreate that.
The forward was the driving force behind Fenerbahce ending their agonizing wait to be crowned winners of the famous competition as she poured in a record-breaking 35 points in the 2023 Final in Prague.
As soon as the call came from Fenerbahce for a potential return, Stewart quickly recalled the thrill of what had happened in the Czech capital three years ago.
She said: "I was thinking about the last time I was her here and then obviously Fener won the following year too - but this one is now about helping them to get back on top.
"My memories from Prague are that individually, I was hot from the jump. Also, knowing that there was a tremendous amount of pressure on the club having never done it before."
"Winning the first ever, you just can't recreate that. You can't redo it and that is equally special in its own right," added Stewart.
The 31 year-old was also quick to dismiss any concerns in respect of her dropping into Final Six for a team already being tipped to finish on the top step of this season's podium.
"I am not concerned because the majority of these players I have played with," she stressed.
"I have also played for Miguel (Mendez) and the one thing that I keep stressing is that I'm not here to change the dynamic. I am here to help and to do whatever the team needs me to do."
Stewart is chasing her third EuroLeague Women title and also her third Finals MVP honor, having completed that team and individual double in 2021 with UMMC Ekaterinburg, as well as in 2023 with Fenerbahce.
FIBA