Stewart set to return for Team USA in exhibition vs UConn

Breanna Stewart is set to return to competition when she leads USA Basketball against her alma mater at the end of month.

Stewart and the women’s national team will play exhibition games against UConn in Hartford on Jan. 27 and against Louisville in Kentucky on Feb. 2.

Her return would come about nine months after she ruptured her right Achilles tendon while playing in the Euroleague Women’s championship in April. Stewart, who won four NCAA titles at UConn, missed the WNBA season after winning league MVP and a championship with the Seattle Storm in 2018.

“I’m trying to be back to play in February,” Stewart told The Associated Press at the WNBA All-Star Game last summer. “Even if I can’t play, I want to be there to work out and be with the team.”

Also returning to face UConn will be former Huskies stars Sue Bird, Tina Charles and Diana Taurasi. And Angel McCoughtry will face her former school when USA Basketball takes on the Cardinals.

USA Basketball said Wednesday that Bird, Stewart and Taurasi will compete in both games, while Charles is available only for the UConn game and McCoughtry only for the Louisville matchup.

The U.S. already has secured a spot in next summer’s Tokyo Games by winning the World Cup last year.

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