​NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press paid tribute to Breanna Stewart before the New York Liberty faced the Dallas Wings on Tuesday night, recognizing her as one of the greatest women’s college basketball players of the Top 25 poll era. The ceremony coincided with the AP’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the women’s basketball poll, highlighted during last season’s events. To honor the achievement, a 13-member panel selected the top players from the past five decades, crowning Stewart and Cheryl Miller as the era’s standout stars.
The UConn alumna achieved four consecutive national championships and earned the Most Outstanding Player honor at the Final Four in each of those title runs. Stewart’s trophy was presented at center court by AP Global Sports Editor Josh Hoffner moments before the Liberty took the court against the Wings, marking a memorable moment on game night. Hoffner’s presentation underscored the AP’s recognition of Stewart’s enduring impact on college basketball and her status as a defining figure of her generation.
Cheryl Miller, meanwhile, accepted her award during the Final Four in Phoenix last April at the “AP Top 25 Fan Poll Experience,” an event held at Arizona State University’s First Amendment Forum, in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Miller’s presence at the ceremony underscored the AP’s effort to honor a century-spanning roster of collegiate greatness, even as Stewart was unable to attend that particular celebration.
The Top 25 poll era has been a point of pride for the AP, reflecting decades of voting by a panel of media members who examine team performance, player impact, and lasting legacies. The awards ceremony, now part of the broader celebration of the poll’s history, highlights players who have shaped the landscape of women’s college basketball through the years. Stewart’s recognition serves not only as a nod to her extraordinary collegiate career but also as an acknowledgment of the ongoing influence she continues to exert in professional basketball and beyond.
As the AP marks half a century of ranking the nation’s best college teams, the acknowledgment of Breanna Stewart’s place among the all-time greats reinforces the league-wide respect for players who excel at the highest level and leave an indelible mark on the sport. The ceremony before the Liberty’s game against the Wings added a ceremonial spark to the night, allowing fans to reflect on the rich history of women’s college basketball and the stars who have propelled the game to new heights.