Is Breanna Stewart the Best Ever?

Breanna Stewart's legacy to women's college basketball has already been etched in stone.

With two more wins, the latest and perhaps greatest star from Connecticut could claim another title: The greatest player ever.

After winning the last two national player of the year awards, being named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons, the 6-foot-4 senior who has turned double-doubles into part of her game-day routine has a chance to do something even more special — win her fourth national championship.

"What Breanna Stewart has done during her four years at Connecticut and what she's especially done in the NCAA Tournament, the way she's competed, the way she's played in the Final Four, that's never been done," coach Geno Auriemma said. "Does that make her the greatest player ever in the history of college basketball? You know what, that question is going to be answered 10, 15, 20 years from now."

Auriemma has gotten a firsthand view of some of the best to play the sport. That may explain why he doesn't separate them.

But if the Huskies extend their winning streaks, which currently stand at 73 games overall and a record 22 straight in the NCAA Tournament, in Indianapolis, those who have mostly watched Stewart from afar will be hard-pressed to find anyone who has ever played the game better.

The quest continues Sunday night when the Huskies face Oregon State, which is making its first Final Four appearance.

"I would certainly have her at the top of any argument that I was a part of," said Washington coach Mike Neighbors, whose team faces Syracuse in the second national semifinal Sunday. "If they are able to complete a historic four-year run, it would be hard to debate that she's not."

Of course, Stewart isn't the only UConn player bringing star power to the Circle City this weekend.

She's joined by guard Moriah Jefferson, who like Stewart was named a first-team All-American earlier this week, and redshirt junior Morgan Tuck, who Auriemma called UConn's most consistent player.

But all the game plans will focus on Stewart as she tries to write yet another chapter in the record books.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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