When Breanna Stewart races down the court in transition, she can count on Sabrina Ionescu to find her. The deep connection between the two, forged through nearly 70 games with the New York Liberty and 17 games with Team USA, is evident in their seamless play on the court. Their intuitive understanding of each other’s movements and preferences is a product of countless practices and games together.
This innate chemistry is giving Team USA a significant edge as they aim for their eighth consecutive gold medal in women’s basketball. U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve praises this synergy, noting how Ionescu’s awareness of Stewart’s positioning enhances their gameplay. “It’s really helpful,” Reeve said. “When Sab is running the floor, she’s looking for Stewie. Her eyes are up, she knows when Stewie’s cutting to the basket.”
Breanna Stewart and Ionescu’s synergy is not an isolated case. The Las Vegas Aces’ quartet of Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and A’ja Wilson also exemplify how strong WNBA connections are translating to international success. In their opening pool play game, a decisive 102-76 victory over Japan, Gray’s 13 assists included four to Wilson, highlighting their well-established rapport. Reeve emphasized the value of having a point guard like Gray, who excels under pressure and has a deep connection with Wilson. “She settles A’ja. They have this connection … they’re both very good for each other.”
The impact of these relationships is clear in the early stages of the Olympics. Wilson and Stewart, considered two of the best all-around players globally, have delivered stellar performances. Wilson is averaging 23.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game, while Stewart contributes 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game.
The success of Breanna Stewart and Wilson is partly due to their familiarity with teammates they’ve played alongside for years. Their established connections with their point guards are proving crucial as Team USA navigates the Olympics. Their collective experience and deep-rooted chemistry are significant factors in the team’s strong start and ongoing quest for gold.
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