Free attacker Brian Stewart is returning to Seattle Storm for a one-year Super Max deal, a source told ESPN Monday, confirming an earlier report.
The WNBA free agency signing window officially begins Tuesday, and the 2022 supermax’s salary is $228,094.
Stewart, who was the WNBA Regular Season MVP in 2018 and WNBA Finals MVP that year and in 2020, returns to the team that selected her as UConn’s first overall draft pick in 2016. Stewart, born in Syracuse, New York, visited New York Liberty as part of the His free agency process, but he’ll play at least one more season with fellow Seattle teammate Sue Bird.
Bird, 41, announced on social media in early January that he would be returning for his 19th career. 2022 season. The duo was a major component of WNBA titles in Seattle in 2018 and 2020; Bird also helped lead Storm to the WNBA Championship in 2004 and 2010.
Stewart, who turns 28 in August, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has won four NCAA titles at UConn. He married during his last WNBA season, and with his wife had a baby girl through surrogacy.
But Stewart injured his left foot on September 7 against the Washington Mystics and hasn’t played in his last two games of the regular season and playoff game. Storm was eliminated by Phoenix Mercury, 85-80, in overtime in the second round of the WNBA Playoffs.
Stewart underwent a minor repair and strengthening of the Achilles tendon in his left leg in October. She missed the 2019 WNBA season due to an Achilles tendon injury she sustained while playing abroad.
Stewart averaged 20.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in all five WNBA seasons.
Stewart’s decision to return to the Storm was first reported on Yahoo! Sports.