The Breanna Stewart Interview

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird Episode: The Breanna Stewart Interview
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Host: Brianna Stewart
Guest: Megan Rapinoe

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird, host Brianna Stewart sits down with WNBA superstar Megan Rapinoe. The conversation delves deep into Megan's illustrious career, her experiences navigating collegiate and professional basketball, overcoming adversities, and her insights on team dynamics and personal development.

Team Performance and Undefeated Runs

The discussion kicks off with an analysis of the team's impressive 9-0 start to the season.

Brianna Stewart [01:45]: "As of today, you guys are 9 and 0."

Megan Rapinoe [02:05]: "I feel pretty good. Yeah. Strong start."

They explore historical precedents of teams starting undefeated and their chances of reaching the finals, highlighting the team's strong statistical probability of making it.

Team Dynamics and Depth

Megan emphasizes the importance of team depth in their current success.

Megan Rapinoe [03:24]: "I think for us, I think it's our depth. I think that's the biggest thing that kind of separates us."

The conversation highlights specific players contributing to the team's depth, including KB Burke, whose performance has been stellar.

Brianna Stewart [04:14]: "Kennedy Burke, for those that don't know, KB is killing it."

Player Development and Versatility

Megan discusses the evolution of her playmaking skills and versatility on the court.

Brianna Stewart [05:13]: "You're really evolving in your playmaking. You're versatile."

Megan attributes part of her improvement to playing overseas, which boosted her confidence and honed her skills.

Megan Rapinoe [04:53]: "I personally think it has to do with playing overseas. It feels like she got a lot of confidence over there and really found herself."

Early Career and College Recruitment

The conversation shifts to Megan's early years and her recruitment journey.

Megan Rapinoe [14:36]: "I loved North Carolina. When I was a kid, I didn't know that if I could have committed in 8th grade to North Carolina, I would have gone to North Carolina."

She recounts writing a letter to Sylvia Hatchell and her visits to North Carolina, ultimately leading to her commitment to UConn.

Overcoming Adversity

Megan opens up about the challenges she faced during her freshman year at UConn, including intense coaching and personal struggles on the court.

Megan Rapinoe [19:00]: "Practices were awful. He was just on me all the time."

This period of hardship taught her resilience and the importance of working through adversity.

Transition to WNBA

Megan shares her experiences transitioning from collegiate basketball to the WNBA, focusing on the increased physicality and competitiveness.

Megan Rapinoe [34:47]: "The physicality. I remember like in training camp, I was like, you know, they're just so strong and like running into people."

She also discusses her rookie season achievements, including setting a WNBA record for defensive rebounds.

Strategy and Playmaking

The duo delves into offensive strategies, particularly the team's high-speed, space-focused offense designed to counteract physical defenses.

Megan Rapinoe [37:23]: "It's all about moving the ball quickly and creating space."

They discuss how these strategies have evolved over time to enhance playmaking and scoring efficiency.

Injuries and Rehab

Megan candidly talks about her Achilles injury, the rigorous rehab process, and the lessons learned from that experience.

Megan Rapinoe [47:16]: "I learned to really appreciate any time that I'm on the court."

Her commitment to rehab and resilience underscores her determination to return stronger.

Team Chemistry and Leadership

The conversation highlights the importance of chemistry among teammates and the leadership roles that both Brianna and Megan embody.

Megan Rapinoe [61:21]: "We just build chemistry and support each other on and off the court."

They reflect on their partnership and how it has been pivotal in the team's success.

Current Season Outlook

Megan provides insights into the current season, discussing ongoing challenges, team morale, and aspirations for championships.

Megan Rapinoe [65:52]: "I'm feeling really good. Especially within the past two weeks, we've had a crazy stretch of games."

She emphasizes the importance of consistency and maintaining a strong performance momentum.

Notable Moments and Quotes

• Overcoming Adversity:
  Megan Rapinoe [20:42]: "I may have needed to transfer if we didn't win."

• Playoff Frustrations:
  Megan Rapinoe [41:10]: "Single game eliminations definitely sucked."

• Mental Resilience:
  Megan Rapinoe [60:55]: "Missing these free throws again. These are going to be the biggest free throws of my career up to this point."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Brianna Stewart reflecting on Megan Rapinoe's journey, her unwavering confidence, and the mutual respect that fuels their on-court synergy. Megan reiterates her commitment to continuous improvement and her belief in the team's ability to overcome future challenges.

Brianna Stewart [70:59]: "Young Stewie has now turned into, like, the Miyagi student becomes teacher."

Megan Rapinoe [71:02]: "Thank you."

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This episode offers a profound look into Megan Rapinoe's career, shedding light on the perseverance, strategic thinking, and teamwork that drive success in women's basketball. Listeners gain valuable insights into the mental and physical demands of professional sports, as well as the personal growth that comes from overcoming challenges.

Transcript

[Brianna Stewart]

Bring the Sabor with Modelo Chelada, a mouthwatering mix of authentic Mexican beer, bold fruit flavors and spices. Bring the heat with Sandia picante or the citrus burst of limonizal Modelo Chelada. Bring the Sabor Drink responsibly. Modelo Chelada flavored beers imported by Crown Imports, Chicago, IL. If you are a fighter, Modelo is your reward. So listen close. You put up with a lot, but you always hold it down for your people. You are strong, you are fearless. You are the baddest on the block. You are an elbow grease factory, a force of nature. You are not to be reckoned with. You are a ride or die, a powerhouse of productivity. You are a fighter and Modela is your reward. You've earned every last drop of this rich golden lager. So raise it up high. Medela, the mark of a fighter. Drink responsibly. Being reported by Crown Imports, Chicago, Illinois.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So I loved North Carolina.

[Brianna Stewart]

Oh.

[Megan Rapinoe]

When I was a kid, I didn't know that if I could have committed in 8th grade to North Carolina, I would have gone to North Carolina.

[Brianna Stewart]

Wow. Welcome to Bird's Eye View. Today I'm talking to someone who I have quite literally watched at every stage of her career. She is a three time WNBA champion, two time WNBA Most valuable player, four time NCAA national champion, and honestly the type of player with a list of accolades so long it would take half the podcast for me to list them all. So let's get to it. My interview with Brianna Stewart up next. You're, you know, you're in like an elite category where reading your bio in front of you is just awkward. No.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. It's embarrassing.

[Brianna Stewart]

I actually feel that way. I. The same way sometimes people like, they want to get it all in and I'm like, just. Yeah, we can just skip all of it. Be like, she was really good.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. At the events. I'm like, all right, please stop.

[Brianna Stewart]

She won a lot. She was really good. And here we are. Okay, so we are recording this on June 11th. As of today, you guys are 9 and 0.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

You know this. Do you know the history of teams that have started undefeated and gotten to.

[Megan Rapinoe]

9 and 0 that they go to the finals?

[Brianna Stewart]

Yes. Do you want to know the history?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Well, I know like Minnesota. Minnesota, Louisiana.

[Brianna Stewart]

And so I just, I actually just talked about this last week and the week before. So Minnesota has the record at 13 and 0. They got to the finals but lost.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Awkward.

[Brianna Stewart]

But they lost to LA, who started that same season, 2016, at 11 and 0.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Okay.

[Brianna Stewart]

So that's also like. That's number two.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Close to the record.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, close to the record. And they won the title. So if you go 11 and 0 or 13 and 0, it's finals. You may or may not win.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Perfect.

[Brianna Stewart]

Love that. 10, 0, Minnesota links again. You get to the finals and you lose, but you lose.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Dang.

[Brianna Stewart]

But if you go nine and. Oh, there's a team of the four teams that have done nine and zero and now your team five, Minnesota's team six, you basically have like, a 75% chance of getting to the finals. There's only one team, Connecticut, last year that didn't.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Oh, my gosh.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. So Connecticut Last year started 9, 0 and lost in the semis, but the other three got to the finals. How do you feel about this?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I feel pretty good. Yeah. Strong start.

[Brianna Stewart]

The numbers are with you.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. The math is mathing so far.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay, so what is it about this team that you guys are on this run?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I think for us, I think it's our depth. I think that's the biggest thing that kind of separates us. Even from last year, this year. And then the way that we're moving the ball and just really playing and getting into. It's funny because I just saw Emre the other day and he was like, you guys look amazing. Whatever. And I. I was like, I feel like we're finally in that, like, flow state that we were in in Seattle, you know, in 2018, where it's just like, ball's moving, things are clicking, you know, where someone's going to be and play off that.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Do you think that's like a product of just time, or do you think that because you guys had some new additions this year, do you think that roster changes allowed for that? Which do you think it is?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Definitely time. You know, between me, Sab, JJ, but also KB. Niara Leo, like, KB's what crushing it right now.

[Brianna Stewart]

Kennedy Burke, for those that don't know, KB is killing it.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. She just did a record for three consecutive games with no three point missed.

[Brianna Stewart]

I know.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And you have to shoot at least three, so that means she made at least nine for nine.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. A friend of mine texted me, like, when did she turn into Reggie Miller? I was like, I don't know. She's. I mean, it's really been impressive to watch her. I personally think it has to do with playing overseas. It feels like she got a lot of confidence over there and really found herself. Cause she was always. She always had the ability. We saw that. We played with her in 20, 21. She always had the ability, but it's like you always wanted a little bit more, and now you're getting a little bit more.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And that's, and that's what she said last night, like playing overseas, giving, building that confidence, like getting into the gym and really getting her shot up. And I think it was just a difference of, like, she used to have this one second of hesitation, and now she's just like, I'm going to shoot it or drive it.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Actually, I'm really, really happy for her.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Um, you mentioned just how your team is playing, the flow of it all. You guys are passing the ball really well, finding each other. I complimented you a couple weeks ago. Oh, you got the goggles out. I compliment, by the way, I checked your stats. Your assist numbers are like, basically the same. I was really disappointed. Cause I was hoping, like I said.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I seems like they're good.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Well, no, I complimented you, you know, a couple weeks ago when you came on a touch more live about your playmaking, which still is true, but I was hoping, you know, if you cross your fingers, like, oh, maybe she's averaging like two more assists or something, they're pretty much the same. But honestly, the playmaking I was talking about has nothing to do with a number. It's just the way you're playing, the way you have your head up, finding your teammates. So what I do want to talk a lot about today, we're going to go back a little bit, but I do want to talk about just your evolution in that playmaking. And, you know, you're quote unquote, a post player, but you're really not. You're versatile.

[Megan Rapinoe]

You're.

[Brianna Stewart]

You're doing a whole bunch of stuff out there. Do you know what it says in your Wikipedia page about your dad, Brian.

[Megan Rapinoe]

That he made me dribble around the block?

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, it's in your Wikipedia page. So I'm just gonna read it really fast. Stewart began playing basketball at an early age due to her height. Her coaches wanted her inside as a rebounder, but her father encouraged her to practice ball handling skills and a perimeter shooting ability. She started a daily routine of dribbling around the block wearing headphones for a mile. Her routine improved her ball handling to the point she routinely dribbled behind her back and between her legs. Even after heading off to college, she still did the routine at home. Can we get a fact check here? This is college.

[Megan Rapinoe]

No.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

No.

[Brianna Stewart]

So they can take that out.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. Okay. When I was like 18, I pretty much Stopped that.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay, what were you listening to in your headphones? This is pre podcast days.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, there was no podcast. Like, I had the. The ipod with the wire tucked into my sports bra. You know, I don't know. Probably like Rihanna.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay. Shout out Fenty.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay. But in all seriousness, when you think back to those, let's call them the high school days. But even before that, first things first. When did you hit your growth spurt or were you just like, always tall?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I think I was like, always tall. So when I was in eighth grade, I was 6:2.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And I'm 6:4 now. So, like, I was always.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, you're just a tall. Yeah, you grew. You grew. Like with. Yeah, you always, Always tall. You grew out. Because I was curious. Just. It is true. We. We've seen it. Whether it's teammates, you're probably going to see it with your daughter, Ruby. When someone is tall at that age, they get put in the post. And I'm curious just like, what was it like to have to fight that?

[Megan Rapinoe]

In a sense, yeah, it was hard. I remember, you know, especially like aau and in the beginning, the coaches were like, go to the block, go to the block, go to the block. And my dad was like, begging me to shoot threes, like in high school. My junior senior year in high school. Not my senior, but my junior and sophomore. He was like, I'll pay you if you shoot a three. Like, I will give you money if you shoot a three. Because it just was so, like, unorthodox and out of the ordinary and eventually, you know, you look to now and it's like, that's a huge part of my game is the versatility.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. It's the norm. So was it. Did you have to, like, was it a conversation with a coach? Did you just do it and then the more success you had, they didn't say anything.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, well, I think my high school coach, Eric Smith, he. He was definitely open to it, especially when I would rebound and then like, push it in transition. And then it's like, even from. From college to. To now and now even now with the Liberty. Like, I'm initiating offense more often than not when Tosh and SAB are getting pressured or guarded and.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, where was that a couple years ago?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Oh, you were doing just fine. You didn't need. You didn't need help. You were fine. I just set you screen.

[Brianna Stewart]

Actually, speaking of screens, this is something I've always been curious about. From a post player standpoint, how much of a toll does, like, you're Setting pick and rolls constantly. How much of a.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Constantly being told that we're not screening good.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, I know. Well, you all lay it a lot.

[Megan Rapinoe]

You're never hitting. You never hitting.

[Brianna Stewart]

You guys olay. A lot you think you're hitting but at the last minute you go olay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Well, it's probably your fault because you guys leave too soon and then I'm going to get a moving screen.

[Brianna Stewart]

I don't know about that, but. No, seriously, how much of a toll does it take on your body?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Honestly, I think now there's so many different ways to screen. Right. They're talking about like a flat screen, a regular screen, a touch and go to try and keep them on your back, a ghost screen, like a slip screen. So like when you're slithering out of the screens, it's not that bad. But you know when you have like a big hit that hurts you just as much as it hurts them.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, I always thought that because remember those days where for the most part it was we were joking but we would switch. There were some times in Seattle where the post players in practice would play the guard spots and the guards would pay the post player spots. And I loved it. I thrived at the 4, but the screens, I was like, okay, I get it now. I'm like, I didn't love that part. You're just getting hit.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. And you're gonna get hit like in the face probably.

[Brianna Stewart]

Well, yeah, I'm a bad, I'm at a bad height. Yeah, we'll get to that later.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, sorry.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, you're talking about. Yeah, yeah, we'll get to that later. So something else that I've kind of noticed in my own. Not outside of you, just like watching post players who through their career are versatile, more so are shooters. Right. There's a versatility, yes. But like they can shoot. And so interestingly, when you're young, it's hard to get out. Like it's hard to get out of the block. Right. But then I notice when you get older there's like a tendency to just like fade away from it naturally. What is the balance to making sure your versatility, the fact that you can shoot outside doesn't take away from getting into the paint. Does it take away from your post ups?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, well right now like my threes are like sucking. So hopefully we're gonna figure that out.

[Brianna Stewart]

That's up here.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Whatever, it's gonna come. But I think with, with that, like for the, for us, for example, like we're totally doing this five out offense, you Know, like basically wanting to create space, wanting to keep, you know, even the post players outside the three point line, so then there's more space for driving and cutting lanes and stuff like that. But I've. In the beginning I was like, I need like a happy medium because I don't want to just be out here all the time.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Like, I want to rim run and then circle out to the corner or I want to, you know, dive in and post up my mismatch. So I think still getting down there and putting pressure on the rim and also knowing that they're going to have to defend this action if they don't do it well, you know, like, I don't like to be like, only out on the perimeter.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay, good. Don't lose that.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Because it's definitely something I've seen with other players. It's just kind of like over time. And I was curious, honestly, similar to the screens, like, the toll on your body from having to bang down there. Does it just like, I can just shoot it out here now?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, but it's like. Yeah, I mean, definitely can. Can always shoot and shoot over them, but especially like getting to the block that I want to get to and trying to get to the. The right shoulder fade. Like, you know, those shots are money and you just feel so confident in them. You could do them with your eyes closed.

[Brianna Stewart]

You also get beat the hell up on your way down there.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, dude. I mean, freedom of movement is wild.

[Brianna Stewart]

I saw it firsthand. But yeah, the other part of this offense, the other part that I've noticed really in the last couple years, and this is back to your playmaking a little bit. You're coming off ball screens now. And I'll be honest, when I. When you started to do it a little bit in what was, I think my last year.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

So 2022, you started to do a little bit. Then you go to New York. 2023, I'm really starting to see it more. But you were like, in that, like, growing pain phase.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

And now you fast forward and you seem a lot more comfortable. What was that like? What was that evolution like for you?

[Megan Rapinoe]

That was. I remember, like, I remember in 2023, like doing it and it was against D.C. and I remember this exact game because it was like they had Cloud and Sykes.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

In all the ball screen actions and. But they're the ones that are, like, making it tough for the guard. So then Sandy was like, stu, you just like get in a high ball screen. So it's me and JJ, me and JJ. Me and JJ. But then fast forwarding to 20, 24, and now, like, those off seasons of really practicing it. And I feel like the biggest thing for me was finding, like, my spatial awareness between my defender. You know what I mean? Because if I'm too close, I can't dribble, and I can't, like.

[Brianna Stewart]

Well, it's creating the space that you need.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And, like, if they're coming close to me, like, back up and that type of thing, like, that's something that I definitely noticed was very, very helpful.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, I know. Because it is. I've always seen this with you. The times you have come off the ball screens, when it's a guard who's screening that's now a guard jumping out.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

And that's a whole different. You know, you have to. You've done a really good job, I think, of. Of. I think you just said it. Adjusting to that space and understanding. Okay, we all know you grew up in Syracuse. Shout out.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Shout out.

[Brianna Stewart]

Shout out. Shout out.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Shout out to Syracuse.

[Brianna Stewart]

Pretty much dominated high school basketball. Ultimately chose Yukon. I do love a recruitment story. So what was your recruitment like? Not just there, but the other schools that you looked at.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So I loved North Carolina.

[Brianna Stewart]

Oh.

[Megan Rapinoe]

When I was a kid, I didn't know that I could have committed in 8th grade to North Carolina. I would have gone to North Carolina.

[Brianna Stewart]

Wow.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I wrote a. I. I wrote a letter to Sylvia Hatchel.

[Brianna Stewart]

Really?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I was obsessed. I don't know if it was the colors or what, but I had, like, jerseys and everything.

[Brianna Stewart]

Man.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And when I was younger, I actually went on a visit because I wrote the letter. She let me come on a visit.

[Brianna Stewart]

What did the letter say?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I don't know. Just that I hope that I can play for her one day, whatever.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

But it was, like, one year before I blew up.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So it must have been when I was in seventh grade.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And they, like, did all the nice things or whatever. And then it was like, eighth grade. They were like, come back, come back, come back, come back. So that was.

[Brianna Stewart]

I love it. It went from like, they thought they were doing you a favor to now, like, begging.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I know. I would have done. I would have committed to them right there on the spot, and it wouldn't have meant anything. Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

You would have taken it right back.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I know. Yeah. Probably. College visit story. When I was at Yukon, I. I don't know. I think I was just, like, so, like, overwhelmed with what was happening. I remember going in. It was college game day, and it was like, Yukon probably versus I don't even know Notre Dame or something. Maya was playing, and it was just like, bananas. And Coach Rainbow was nice, and CD Was caring about my things. And then.

[Brianna Stewart]

And then you get there.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And then you get there.

[Brianna Stewart]

It's the exact opposite. But. So you was UConn like, a foregone conclusion. You knew pretty much right away.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Basically, once. Once I went there, and then I went to. I visited some other schools. It was like, these schools are amazing. You know, they. Incredible. And they have all this stuff, but you can't get from a player perspective what players get from UConn, and that's from, like, the coaches and just the players that have gone there before. Like, that championship mindset and mentality doesn't happen everywhere. Yeah. And I want it to be the best.

[Brianna Stewart]

How much of a role did who you went with play? Like, Morgan Tuck, Mariah Jefferson.

[Megan Rapinoe]

A huge role. Morgan and Mariah, like, we. I think at one point we all visited together, and we were like, are we gonna do it? Like, are we gonna all commit? And then I had one more visit. Tuck was like, I'm gonna commit right now. And then I went on one more visit, and then I committed, and then Mo committed as well. And just from, like, knowing each other with USA Basketball and AAU and all these things, like, we had a lot of fun together, and we wanted to do what was never done before, which is crazy. Honestly, even saying it now, I'm like, that was wild.

[Brianna Stewart]

Honestly, it is one of my favorite stories. Just, like, asking you, like, you know your famous quote, which is your freshman year, prior to your freshman year, like, yeah, we want to win four national championships in a row. And when I asked you, I was like, why'd you say that? You were just like, what else was I supposed to say?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Exactly. What was I supposed to say?

[Brianna Stewart]

And I was like, yeah, good point. Well, we just want to win one.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Two for four.

[Brianna Stewart]

Maybe lose one, win one next year. Get motivated. That's actually one of my favorite. My favorite things. But your freshman year, I find this so interesting. I know. I love your face. It tells the story, which is the story I'm trying to get to when you look back on it. Okay, so as we were preparing for this interview, one of the things that was recommended was like, oh, my God, she scored 169 points in the first 10 games at UConn, breaking Maya Moore's record. She won, obviously, four national championships. Four most outstanding player at the final four in a row. And so, yeah, it'd be natural to be like, why was the adjustment. So seamless. And I was like, actually, that wasn't tough. The case. So take us through your freshman year.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, my freshman year started off great.

[Brianna Stewart]

Clearly, you broke my wars record.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Clearly broke records. Was doing all the things was playing, and then all of a sudden, we got to, like, midway through the season or, I don't know, conference play, and coach was just on me.

[Brianna Stewart]

It was too easy.

[Megan Rapinoe]

It was. It was too easy. So he had to, like, press all the way and. And did he press all the buttons at the same time? Yes, he did. And I struggled to, like, catch my feet and. And figure out what direction was the right way to go at that point.

[Brianna Stewart]

But what was he doing? Like, what do you remember about it?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I just remember, like, in practice, like, practices were awful. Like, he was just on me all the time. Like, it wasn't doing this, wasn't doing that. Wasn't this. Run the stadiums. Missed a rebound, do all this. He made me run stadiums when I missed a rebound in practice.

[Brianna Stewart]

Wow.

[Megan Rapinoe]

One rebound, one rebound. And. And he. He literally just left me there. CD had to tell him, like, hey, she's still going.

[Brianna Stewart]

Still running tough.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. Then it became a mental thing.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Well, I mean, I feel like it's safe to assume that that year probably shaped you in ways, but I want to hear you. You talk about it. Like, how do you think it shaped you?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, I think in that moment, I was like, I hate this. I probably would have transferred if we didn't win. I probably would have transferred because I'm like, I'm not going through this shit again. Like, what. But what it taught me later was, like, working through adversity, you know, when things are difficult, when I can't, like, figure out how to do a layup, getting in the gym and, like, building that confidence back up through just reps and then translating it to games and that type of action. And I think that's what I did. You know, there's, like, a big middle portion of that my freshman year that just was, like, terrible. Like, I had, like. I had, like, zero points. Yeah. And I don't usually have zero points.

[Brianna Stewart]

I've never seen it. I have personally never seen that score by accent. You're actually the opposite. You're the person that, when you go, obviously, Megan and I have courtside seats at the Liberty games. And it's hilarious because, you know, three quarters will have gone by and you'll be like, oh. Like, it's not that you don't notice you. You obviously notice you, but you're like, oh, what's Stewie's line tonight? You look like 25. You're like, the exact opposite. You score, like by Osmos.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. So then I was really just not scoring. Yeah. And I don't know, I just. At one point, I. It was the Big east tournament. I remember, like, the Biggies final, and, like, I snapped out of it. I was playing confident, and we actually lost the game. It was at Exo Center. We lost a game. And I remember Coach Orema coming into the locker room, like, I'm going to show you guys how to win. And from there we went.

[Brianna Stewart]

He loves a. He loves to break you down, to build you up moment.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I know. I tell them now.

[Brianna Stewart]

I was like, are you like, thank you. Are you like, I didn't need that.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I'm like, thanks, but there's other ways.

[Brianna Stewart]

No, you actually remind me of something that happened. It was actually my sophomore year because I didn't really. My freshman year, I got hurt. I didn't play that many games. So it was my sophomore year and very similar. What do point guards always do on a shot? They're the ones that have to get back. You're the ones protecting. You gotta get back. You gotta get back. We were playing half court. We were running our offense half court. And we're having a little bit of a tough day. You know, whatever play we're running, we can't get it. Yada, yada. Finally we, like, figure it out. We score. I happen to be in the corner because, like, that's where I ended up in this offense at this moment. Right. Somebody shoots at scores. Yay. Bleep. Super. They just got a layup and transition. I was like, no, they didn't. We're playing half court. Like, you didn't get back. So it was basically like whatever momentum we had just started to build, immediately got, you know, swept away. We had to, like, start over, whatever we were doing. And I always think about that moment because to me, what always separates UConn players, especially right when they get out of college, because it's so fresh, is this, like, pursuit of perfection. Like, because he coaches and. And the whole staff expects that every single. You can't miss a rebound. God forbid you miss a layup. I don't even want to know what you had to do if you missed a layup. I always joke that they have adult tantrums on the sideline when these things happen, but that feeds into the players because we do. We have this idea that perfection can be met, like, reached. And we play that way. We have expectations around it and that to me is always what's been kind of like the biggest separator culturally. What do you think, UConn? Like, what do you think that experience taught you about how teams are built?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I think that we can have the best, but not the best. Players don't always like gel together and mesh together. And the fact that were able to just trust one another and give people opportunity and room to kind of grow but also be themselves on the court is something that's so special. I think when you look at, I don't know, I feel like with my teams we had probably the best team, like compared to all the other teams that year. But you have to work to make that, that, that happen and to be able to play well. And we just respected one another's game. And sometimes when you put all the best together, it doesn't.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, it doesn't click.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Doesn't do that.

[Brianna Stewart]

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[Megan Rapinoe]

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[Brianna Stewart]

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[Megan Rapinoe]

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[Brianna Stewart]

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[Megan Rapinoe]

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[Brianna Stewart]

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[Megan Rapinoe]

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[Brianna Stewart]

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[Megan Rapinoe]

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[Brianna Stewart]

Adobe Express, the quick and easy app to create on brand content. Learn [e-mail] Express Business. When did you know? Listen, I, I get it. You wanted to win four national championships. We already joked about it, but when did you actually know? Like, guys, we could do this?

[Megan Rapinoe]

After my first one, okay, so my first one was the year that Shoney Schimmel beat Baylor. That, like, wild whatever shot. And I remember we were like, we have a chance. Like, now. This is ours. This is our way in.

[Brianna Stewart]

You play them in the regular season and it was tough. I think I was there. Yeah, it was tough.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So after we won that one, it was like also all the. That we went through that season, especially me, Morgan, Mariah, we could learn from that. And then sophomore year was like, we smoked everybody.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And then junior year, we lost one game and he'll never let us forget that. And then senior year, we beat everybody again.

[Brianna Stewart]

That's amazing.

[Megan Rapinoe]

He was like, you guys will be 100 and something, you know? Yeah, it wasn't for that. I'm like, whatever.

[Brianna Stewart]

So actually, that, that kind of sparks the thought here. A lot of players, I always say the best thing about my college experience and anybody who wins their senior year is you don't really look back and, like, have regret. Even if there's moments or games you lost, you won, you ended on a high note. I think about college, I'm like, this is amazing. Do you have any, like, shoulda, coulda, woulda's Any regrets? Is it that. Does that game stick out? Or you're like, nah, I'm good.

[Megan Rapinoe]

From college.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

No, I mean, I would like to fix my freshman year, I guess, but.

[Brianna Stewart]

You kind of needed it.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I kind of needed it.

[Brianna Stewart]

I think you needed it.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So, yeah, I'm good. I never had to do spring workouts. I never had none of that.

[Brianna Stewart]

I know you're off. You're. I mean, we didn't call it an off season in college, but your summers.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I heard those were so awful. If you lose and then you have, like, a few weeks, you have to practice again. Nope, we didn't do that.

[Brianna Stewart]

I really only had one, though, because we. My freshman year, I was like, I want to play. We lost. Since we're 16. I was like, what was it made? So, yeah, your class finishes as one of the most men's, women's. Doesn't matter. Successful classes. And now we're on to the wnba. Do you have any memory of, like, where you were when you heard.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yes.

[Brianna Stewart]

That Seattle. You do. So draft lottery happens. Hit me.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Draft lottery is happening. I'm in my apartment.

[Brianna Stewart]

They're gonna be like. I was in Physics 101, apartment in.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Hilltop, and I was watching it, and I was like, please, not Connecticut, please. Just because I've been there. I've been there for four years, and I wanted to leave 100. So then it was, like, between. It was. I think. I don't even remember Connecticut. San Antonio and. Yeah, Connecticut, San Antonio and Seattle. There wasn't a fourth, because.

[Brianna Stewart]

Oh, did somebody have Twice.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I don't know, but it was me, Morgan and Mariah. One, two, three.

[Brianna Stewart]

I know. Who went fourth?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I don't know, but we went 1, 2, 3.

[Brianna Stewart]

Keep talking.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And love it.

[Brianna Stewart]

I don't know.

[Megan Rapinoe]

When it was Seattle, I was like, yes, this is great. I've never been to Seattle, but let's go.

[Brianna Stewart]

So you were happy?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I was happy. I was excited. I was like, let me go see someone. Something else. I'll be with Sue. She did a rehab with me. We're, like, friends. So.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, so we did. So actually, I think we first met. I like Viv. Not vividly.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Sorry.

[Brianna Stewart]

Vaguely remember this. Which is to say we didn't spend time together, but I think I was at a UConn game. When you were on one of those. Sounds like you visited, like, 10 times a lot. Yeah. You on one of your visits. I think we were in, like, the Civic Center. The XL Center. Yeah. I just remember. I remember, like, your limbs. I remember being told, like, oh, that's Brianna Stewart. Like, she's going to be the next best thing. And then I remember your hair. Yeah, yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Nobody. Nobody told me about Hairspray. I don't know.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, we all have a journey, you know, all of an evolution. But, yeah, but I did. I did rehab a couple times at school, so obviously spent a little bit of time with you there. I remember I got your phone number from Steph Dulson, and so forever, you were saved in my phone as Stewie, because that's the contact she sent me. But. Yeah. So Seattle gets the number one pick. I know where I was. I've told this story a billion times, but I was in Bellevue randomly with some friends. But, like, at, like, a restaurant bar. It was midday ish. On the west coast, and I asked them to put the TV on because this was, like, a really pivotal moment for me.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, because you were gonna leave.

[Brianna Stewart]

I don't know that I was gonna leave.

[Megan Rapinoe]

You were thinking about it, but I.

[Brianna Stewart]

Was kind of like, I'll be honest. This was the question that Coach Auriemma posed to me. And it. It just, like, sat. It just sat there. And 2015 was a tough year. We had just gotten Jewel, so we're, like, rebuilding. All of, like, my friends and people my age are gone because, like I said, we're rebuilding. And Coach Auriemma said as this free agency was kind of looming, he was like, do you ever want to play in a meaningful basketball game again? And I was like, damn. And then he was like, do you ever want to be in the playoffs again? I was like, damn. I just hadn't thought of it that way.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Was he just, like, hitting you with these one liners?

[Brianna Stewart]

Yes.

[Megan Rapinoe]

In person or. Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

No, it wasn't in person. It was, like, on text.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

I was like, damn. I felt. I, like, really felt that because I hadn't thought of it that way. I. I thought of, like, rebuild Seattle. I want to be here forever. I'm in. I'm good. Blah, blah. And then he hit me with those bangers, and I was like. So anyways, I wasn't, like, almost gonna leave, but that was a big day for you. It was a big day for me because as we were watching, I had them put it on tv. I don't even remember if there was volume. I just remember seeing Jenny stand there and, like, all these things. There must have been volume. All these things were happening. And then it was like. And with. And the second pick goes to whoever the hell it went to. I don't even remember San Antonio.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

And then, and then I was like, to my friends, I was like, guys, I'm staying. I'm staying. Guys, I'm staying. So you coming to Seattle was a very pivotal moment for me as well as, you know. So when you first get out there, like, what are your first thoughts? Not just basketball, like the city, everything. You'd said. You've never been there.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, I mean, I felt like it was so big because I'm just coming from stores, so I'm like, so many things. And so the weather's nice and it's grass and trees and water. I don't know. It's crazy because I remember like my apartment, it. And it was like a one bedroom, basically a studio. I had like a God.

[Brianna Stewart]

What building were you in at that point?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Expo. No, Expo.

[Brianna Stewart]

Expo.

[Megan Rapinoe]

No.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, the one next to the arena.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, Expo. I was at Expo and I was like, this is great. I love it. So much space. Now I'm like, I could never live there again. I could never. Too much.

[Brianna Stewart]

So what do you mean? You have too many people.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. I mean, even human. Yeah. Way too many.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Like too many clothes, too many shoes. That's hilarious. You thought your apartment was big. I love that. Okay, so after basically, you know, being dominant your whole career. Right. And of course, in college, what was, as you get into the wnba, what was like your biggest adjustment?

[Megan Rapinoe]

The physicality.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I remember like in training camp, I was like, you know, they're just so strong and like running into people and like running through them and like they hit you one time and it's like, hello? And then I was like, am I going to make the team? Like, I. Like, I got to make the team.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, I hope so. The whole offense is built around you. Fucking hope you make it. That's amazing. Did you know you broke the WNBA record for defensive rebounds in a season your rookie year?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I feel like I knew that.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. With 227. Did that. Does that surprise you, knowing that physicality is the biggest adjustment? I was surprised.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yes. Yes and no.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay, so what. How about this? What did translate? What were you like? Okay, so physicality is adjustment. All the banging, whatnot. But what were you like? Oh, I'm still able to do this.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. I think it was like running the floor.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

You, you passing it ahead out in transition. I feel like that was pretty much what we did that year was like, run, run, run, run, run, run. We're down 20. Let's run and see if we can somehow get back into the game. So, yeah, that. I mean, I Guess the defensive rebounding, because I was just, like, running after the ball.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, you're all over the place. Yeah. That's interesting. Which players did you have the hardest time against? Like, who was the biggest challenge?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Oh, well, I think in 2016, I was, like, guarding the fives.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And I remember, like, one time with Jenny, I was like, I'm just so tired. Something along those lines. I remember exactly where it was, and I know you remember, too.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So it was like guarding sue, guarding BG and then guarding Elena and Candace and then Maya. Like, it was just like one after another after another. It was like, here, guard another one of the best. And another one and another one.

[Brianna Stewart]

And being asked, too, because we did. We played very up tempo. The whole thing was paced, not just in the full court, but in the half court, too. So then on top of that, being asked. But I am curious about the offensive part too. Like. Like, I loved playing that offense. And I'm curious just, like, what you remember about first learning it, because it is very much. Jewel actually said this when I interviewed a couple weeks ago. Like, I forget exactly said it, but Controlled chaos.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

We knew what we were doing. Kind of.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, kind of.

[Brianna Stewart]

But it was also, like, chaotic. Did you. Did you enjoy playing in that?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, I mean, I liked it. I think it was, like, because we were moving at such a high speed, it was like, you got to do something, whether it's the right or wrong thing or, like, what you're expecting or not. Like, cut to the basket, set a screen, do something. Um, but it was the way to get open.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

You know, and the way to kind of move them around. And, like, defensively, people just wanted to blow you up. Like, blow us up and make it tough. So if we were faster than them, it was a little bit easier. Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

That was the one way to counteract the physicality. Because, like, you. I wouldn't say you don't like physicality. It's just like, you're constantly getting beat up. It's just like a constant.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Anytime I have, like, a rip screen.

[Brianna Stewart]

Oh, my God, you're just getting Chuck Chucked. I don't like physicality. So here we have, like, two, you know, players of the quote, unquote, big three, where it's like, we'd rather just get away from it.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Right.

[Brianna Stewart]

We'd rather play in space. So I always thought it worked. What from, like, you're the number one pick. You have all this hype, the whole, like, expectation of it all. Like, how was that your first year mentally? Did did you feel it? Was it. Was it too much? Did you not notice it?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I don't think I, like, noticed too much about the number one pick. Like, I knew I was the number one pick and I knew that people were like, like gonna come after me or whatever, but I was. I felt like I was holding my own pretty well.

[Brianna Stewart]

Game one, I remember right away.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Me too. I thought we were playing la.

[Brianna Stewart]

Really?

[Megan Rapinoe]

And we got smoked.

[Brianna Stewart]

Oh, my God.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I was like, oh, we're gonna.

[Brianna Stewart]

I think it was the worst play. Like, one of the worst. I literally looked in the mirror after that game, like, is this it? Elena Beard, like, snatched my soul that day. And I was like, is this it? But it wasn't. But it really caught me off guard. But I remember you played great. You had, like, a very strong showing. Like, forget the stats. I could just tell you had, like, a presence about you. So when you look at, like, young players now and just like, the expectations, the hype, what advice would do you give them based off your own experience? I mean, you had a great experience, it seems like.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. I mean, the advice I would give younger players would just be a sponge. Like, learn as much as you can. Thankfully, like, I had you as a vet and Lang was there and just able to, to kind of understand why we were doing all the things. Because you don't get into the nitty gritty and like, all the details in college about, like, you're doing this and if they, if they ice like this, you're gonna go like this and if you're gonna slip and all that. So just, just kind of learning how to read and react because it is so important and you can tell when people don't know how to do it. Yeah, like, it's. It's really tough. So slowing down and then having this motor, you know, like, if your team isn't good, you still have to keep moving because you're going to wear down these other teams because they constantly have to chase you.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, very true. So we make the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, but we don't win. Shout out to the single elimination games. Rip on those. What was that like, given your success prior? Like, was it really frustrating to. To get to the playoffs after this insane success and. And lose? It's like your first time losing in playoffs.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, Well, I think what was harder was like, we were just losing all these games. We were like, I don't even know, 17 and 16 or 16 and 18.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, we, like, we like, you know, squeaked in. You know, we were like 507 and eight seeds.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So that was an adjustment of just, like, dealing with the loss and then figuring out, like, oh, what are we doing after? And I'm like, I don't know. Should we just, like, go be sad or something? Think about it. But the single game eliminations definitely sucked.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Like, because I felt like for us, it was like, well, we have a chance because you had to wear teams down. We could wear teams down and, like, maybe we could beat a team. But then just like that, your season's done.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

All that. And it's abrupt.

[Brianna Stewart]

It's abrupt. I feel like that off season, though, like, 2017, going in 2018 is big for you. You went overseas. You'd been going to China.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

So real quick, just like, what role did China play? And what did you change in that particular off season to then have your first MVP season in 2018?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Well, isn't that when I did Susan? Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

I was leading the witness there.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So I went back to China, which was great because I was comfortable with where I was. Same club, like, knew all the things. But the biggest adjustment was starting work with Susan.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Susan Borchard, who was. Is your trainer. And I feel like that was. The thing is, like, I was like, well, what would you do if you were me, like, right now? And you said to, like, focus on your body?

[Brianna Stewart]

I was like, hire Susan immediately.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I remember you were like, hire Susan. But, like, if you're going to hire her, like, you have to do it for.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Like, because it's. It's going to be, like, it's not going to be some big jump, but it's going to be, like, a little bit more than anybody else is doing. And I'll never forget that because it's like you're signing yourself up to do so many things, which at that point, I was like. I was like, I don't know how I'm going to do all this. No, I don't.

[Brianna Stewart]

Very quickly, if you work with. To work with Susan is to know she's going to plan out your day, and there's going to be obviously, the chunk of it, which is like a workout. It's called the off season. There's also going to be a recovery, and every now and then, it would be like, I'm not joking. It would be like, take a nap. Like, it could be like, that much of a detailed schedule. There was always normatecing on there.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

So, like, 20. Every 20 minutes in the NormaTec. Get your 20 minutes in the Normatec. At one point, Stewie Told me that there would be times where she maybe would like skip a day OR2 of NormaTec and then on the third day she would just add all the minutes up. So if it's 22, she'd be like doing 60 minutes in one day of Norma Tech. I was like, I don't know if it works that way. But you're. I knew you were locked in at that point. I was like, I had.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I have greatness. Guilt.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Even still, when I, like have to miss something, I'm like, I feel like. I feel terrible about this.

[Brianna Stewart]

You're far from retirement. But that's one of the things that. That, that really takes its time dying is that guilt of like missing something.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Oh, man, that cracks me up. I will. I bet your frog pulses are a lot better now though. Those.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Honestly. Yes. I don't do them that much.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

They're not programming probably. So, like, she doesn't. She doesn't do well with these, but.

[Brianna Stewart]

Your 2018 season was amazing. I mean, that team was so fun. We finally figured it out, you know, running around all over the place. But you're obviously the. The core of that. You did break my nose in the playoffs. It's okay. It set us up. It set, it set a whole story up without. If I don't wear. If I'm not wearing a mask, it doesn't end as good. But you averaged 25, 6 and 3 in the finals. You already talked about Susan, but what else in your game, like, clicked for you this year? It's actually, I think looking back at your three point shooting percentage, you shot the best this year.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. I think it was the confidence in that and like shooting without hesitation. You know, I feel like when in doubt, when we had a struggle, we ran. Horns flare.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And we. It was either the read was either like a slip by Tosh or I was gonna get it and just shoot it. And just finding those openings, you know, knowing that you or Jewel or somebody was gonna create and not always kind of like letting things develop.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And just figuring out where I was going to get my best shot.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. It's funny how it's so true. This, like, it's not cliche, but a lot of people do say, like, when things start to click, the game actually slows down. I feel for you that year, like, you knew, like, everything was done with purpose, with an intent. I knew we were going to win. I mean, I feel like I knew we were going to win. I knew we had a good chance of winning going into the playoffs. I was like, okay, like, we could probably do this. Phoenix series was tough. When we got to the finals, it wasn't like a foregone conclusion, but I will say, game three, we've won game one and two. Game three, you and Tash come out just like, blazing. You two hit, like, all your three. I was like, oh, my God, we're gonna win. I was like, this is it. It's a wrap. You know, you're always thinking, worst case scenario, this is like, oh, it's over. Even though they made a little bit of a comeback, Honestly though, when I think back to that, outside of being just like a dream for me to even be in the finals, I'm still mad at Sasha Howard for texting the group chat prior to, like, that trip.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yes.

[Brianna Stewart]

We're going to dc. We win one game, we're good. We went. She's like, hey, guys, don't worry. I got the champagne goggles. And we're like, cool. Tasha's got it. Reset. I walked in the locker room. I don't know. She went to Target. She went to Walmart and bought some, like, toddler swim goggles. I was like, and you had your Red Bull ones on, so you're the only one that looked cool. The rest of us look like we're getting ready for our five year old swim lesson. Our first swim lesson ever. I couldn't believe.

[Megan Rapinoe]

It's probably, like, why the WNBA provides the goggles.

[Brianna Stewart]

Thank God 2020. We had good goggles. I couldn't believe it. I was like, but you know what? You have to put them on because the champagne hurts. It stings and it's getting in your eyes. I was so pissed. The other thing I'm properly pissed at is we never get to run it back in 2019.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I know.

[Brianna Stewart]

We both get hurt. That one. I look back and I'm like, damn, I know.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Me too.

[Brianna Stewart]

And it would have been, I believe, obviously, a whole season has to play out well. Yeah, could have been three in a row. But also we would have played DC in the finals and we were like, pretty, like, similar. That would have been like a really. I think, yeah, I think that would have been a great series. But you tear your Achilles, which is also, I feel like your freshman year in college. Pivotal moment, Achilles tear, pivotal moment. What did you learn from that rehab process that sucked?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I think what I learned is just like, really appreciating any time that I'm on the court. Because, you know when you do something like that where you're. You lose all your Independence. It's like, God, what am I going to do? How am I going to function? Like, even normally walking or walking my dog or things like that and just coming back with a. With a vengeance. You know, it took me a while because I was like, this rehab process is long and like, is it going to come back normal? Is it going to come back the same? But I showed up every day and did the rehab and I think that was because, you know, I was, by then I was so regimented with Susan. You know, I remember calling her when I was in Chopran, Hungary right after I did it and I was like, let's go. I just did it.

[Brianna Stewart]

Those are the worst calls.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I just, I just messed it up.

[Brianna Stewart]

Those are the ones where the reality like truly sets in. It sets in when. When you're like, yeah, when you know something is not right. But then when you have to say it, it sets it in a different way. Luckily, Ed Marta with you too though.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, that's when she started talking story.

[Brianna Stewart]

But we won't get into. That's more of a touch more topic.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, yeah. That's not basketball related. Support for the show comes from Mercury. What if banking did more, more? Because to you, it's more than an invoice. It's your hard work becoming revenue. It's more than a wire, it's payroll for your team. It's more than a deposit. It's landing your fundraise. The truth is, banking can do more. Mercury brings all the ways you use money into a single product that feels extraordinary to use. Visit mercury.com to join over 200,000 entrepreneurs who use Mercury to do more for their business. Mercury Banking that does more.

[Brianna Stewart]

Support for this show comes from Smartsheet. Do you ever wonder how many times a day you toggle between different screens, applications and windows on your computer? Maybe 20 times. Okay, maybe 50 on a bad day. Try 1,200 times a day in a second single day. Now multiply that by all the days you work in a year and that's 9% of your time spent toggling. That is so much wasted time simply clicking back and forth. Imagine what you could do with all that extra time. Smartsheet is here to help you take all that extra time back. Smartsheet is the work management platform that helps your team remove roadblocks, ease friction, and cut those back and forth clicks down to a number that doesn't make your head hurt. With tools that allow your team to manage their workflow all in one place, you'll spend less time toggling and more time driving results, fostering creativity and scaling to new heights. Smartsheet Work with flow. Learn [e-mail] Vox Summer's here and Nordstrom has everything you need for your best dress season ever. From beach days and weddings to weekend getaways. In your everyday wardrobe, discover stylish options under $100 from tons of your favorite brands like Mango Skims, Princess Polly and madewell. It's easy, too, with free shipping and free returns in store order, pickup and more. Shop today in stores [e-mail] or download the Nordstrom app. But. Yeah, but you obviously rehab. You rehab. Well, we go into the 2020 season, the bubble season, obviously, so much is happening very quickly. Two things I want to talk about with. With the. With the 2021, I asked you all this to 2018 or 2020.

[Megan Rapinoe]

2018.

[Brianna Stewart]

2018.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Interesting. I know. I think just the fans. Oh, no, no, no. I meant like the team. Oh, not the experience. No, the experience.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. 2018.

[Brianna Stewart]

You think 2018. Yeah, I think if 2020, it could have. Because we were deeper piff. Yeah, yeah. But 2018, we were online. The other thing that I think starts in 2020, not. I think it does, is you and Asia now, like, emerge as, like, this is it. These are the top two players. And then from literally that point on, it's like, each year, who's going to get the mvp? What I'm curious about is it's like a testament to the two of you, but it must also be a little bit of, like, a drain or just like an exhaustion that's connected to it. Constantly having to hear the talk and then honestly waiting for the end of each year to be like, well, who's going to get it? So, like, what? From like, a mental standpoint, obviously, you guys are friends. You respect each other. It's not about that. People hypes. That's not about that at all. But just like, what is that experience like for you?

[Megan Rapinoe]

It's. I think it's just like a little bit. It's stressful because it's like, you know, you do all these things and you want to be great, and then it's like, well, she's doing this and Stewie's doing that and this and this. She should be doing this and she should be doing that and this and. And it's just kind of like enough, like, at this point with the voting, it's like people are going to do whatever they want, you know, they're going to believe who they think is the person based on their opinions and sometimes not based on fact based. But yeah, I mean, Asian, I have like tons of respect for one another. Like, her game is incredible. And there's just always like a story trying to be written about us being like, yeah, yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Well, I'm. I'm actually more curious less about that, which is more like, how has it motivated you? Right. Like, you two are basically always setting the bar.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

So is that, like something that's been a motivator?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, just knowing, like, every year getting better. You know, I think even the way that Asia's game had developed since, you know, when she first entered the league to not where she is now, but even the bubble season.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And how she continues to kind of add things to her game and, you know, knowing that players like us with that versatility, there's so many things you can constantly add. And it's like in the off season, sometimes it's like, well, which one do I pick? Like, which one do I focus on the most?

[Brianna Stewart]

That's a different problem from, like, the rest of us must be nice. But then, like, amazing talent should I use now?

[Megan Rapinoe]

But then like, implementing it into. Into the game. And yeah, I feel like at that point, especially in 2020, we knew, like, we're the ones that are going to be, like, pushing this thing forward. Like, really from a skill level standpoint of, like, you got to be here with us and that's what we did.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. No, you guys have definitely been carrying that to finish out a little bit. You know, 2021, tough year for us. You get injured at the end. 2022, tough year. Yeah, it was a tough year because of how it ended. And I feel like we, you know, we all believe we could have, but I am just, like, so thankful for our time that we played together. It really was so special.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

I actually go to, like I said, this is, you know, we're recording this the week of June 11th. I go to the hall of Fame, so you might get a shout out my speech. We'll see. We'll see. We'll see how the rest of this interview goes. So now free agency comes and goes. You're off to New York. Looking back on the decision to come to New York, did you anticipate just, like, how much of a phenomenon this organization was going to become? Was there any way to, like, see it?

[Megan Rapinoe]

No. Like, I don't know. I don't know. I think it's been.

[Brianna Stewart]

It's happened fast and it's been, like, crazy.

[Megan Rapinoe]

It's bananas.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

In Barclays. Like, it's crazy, but it's incredible. I think that, you know, between knowing that I was ready to leave Seattle and start a new chapter, and then going with JJ and Sloot, we already were bringing, like, a championship mindset and mentality to New York. And from there on, it was, you know, 20, 23. We were working with what we had and trying to gel as quickly as possible. And still, it was an incredible season, you know, like, but the way that the fans are. Are behind us, too. Like, that's what's the most exciting, because now it's like they're so locked in every single night. We played Connecticut and we were winning by, like, a lot.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, I saw.

[Megan Rapinoe]

But they were all still there. You know, they're. They're chanting. They're chanting for, like, one more. Three.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Yeah. Because you guys almost broke your own record.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

But it's like, you know, they're. They're in lockstep with everything that we're doing, no matter, you know, if we're up by a lot or up by a little.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, you brought up JJ and Sloot real quick with jj. Do you think playing overseas with her helped you guys click? Like, you had already had an understanding.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah, I think because you're both, like.

[Brianna Stewart]

MVP post players, you're not in the same position, but you're, like, occupying. Occupying the same space on the floor.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I think for sure, playing overseas helped. And then even the first year, because it's. Sometimes we were in each other's space. Yeah. And. And that's, like, on me and also on her, just creating more space for each other to have room to work and then figuring out how to have such a great tandem together.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. And then slu. I was, like, tore up when I heard that news. Just talk about, like, how great it's been playing with slu. Obviously, for those that don't know, I don't imagine, and I can't imagine anybody doesn't know, but sadly to her acl, she's out for the year. Yeah. Just. Just. What are your thoughts on sleep?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I love Sloot. I think that once I played with her in Russia, in Ecat as well, I was like, well, I want to do more of this.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Like, I wanna. I wanna figure this out more. And for her to honestly really shout out to Sloot, for her to be able to come to New York, like, that wasn't where she was initially wanting to go, but she wanted to do something special and win championships and. And the way that she can read and react and get downhill and have these insane, like, no look passes. Those. Those practices. In the beginning, it was like, get hit in the head, get your eyes up and your hands, like, ready, because that thing is flying at you. But really cool to be her teammate for two seasons. And I was happy for her to go back home, you know, to Chicago. Annoying. You know, baby Jenna was coming and is here now. It's just tough. Life sometimes is really tough because it's like you have these highs, and then you have these lows. But her circle is. Is bigger with. With the baby, and I know that she'll help her through the whole rehab process, and we'll see her back next year.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, I know.

[Megan Rapinoe]

They're the worst. Injuries suck.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. I mean, acls, it's not like a death sentence by any means, but what it automatically does mean, similar to an Achilles, although Achilles is much longer. It's just time. It just takes time. She will likely come back and be fine.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

It's just a lot of time. And we all know. Yeah. That first day is like, oh, God, I have, like, months and months ahead of me, so I just felt so bad. Speaking of the highs and the lows, you already brought up 2023 and losing in the finals.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yep. Missed a shot.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. I mean, listen, these things happen. You're not used to that, though, so that's actually what's interesting about 2023. This is probably the first time you've lost in a Finals.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Every. Every other time, to my knowledge. I don't know, like, high school stuff, but every other time, to my knowledge, that you've gotten to a Finals, you've won.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yep.

[Brianna Stewart]

Except maybe when you tore your Achilles overseas.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Which.

[Megan Rapinoe]

That doesn't count.

[Brianna Stewart]

That doesn't count.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Right?

[Brianna Stewart]

So, like, man, I actually talked to Sabrina about this and how obviously it was a motivator. Of course it is. I'm. I'm a. I've said this time and time again, a big believer. No team wins without some devastating loss prior. But for you specifically, you've never lost in the finals. What did that do to you? Oh.

[Megan Rapinoe]

That was hard. You know, I think because that season, like, everything was going great, and then the postseason, things just got a little bit harder, like, physically, mentally, on the court, off the courts, like Marta and her dad, that whole situation. But I was like, I wasn't my best in the finals, and that's what really frustrates me. But I can, like, acknowledge that wholeheartedly, and I know that, like, I want to be taking that shot And I'm talking about the shot that was missed in game four to, like, for them to win. But it was motivating for me to come back, you know, and, and wanting to be better and wanting to make sure that, you know, I had.

[Brianna Stewart]

A.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Chip on my shoulder of getting back to the finals and doing more and still having that same confidence. Because I believe, like, anytime I'm on the court, like, we can win.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, you do. You do have that.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Like, it's.

[Brianna Stewart]

It's the Stewie shrug. Sometimes it'll be like, oh, like, I don't even know what the question would be to prompt. You'd be like, yeah, you just like, yeah, there's like a irrational confidence that you've always had that you don't ever lose. Yeah, don't ever lose.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Calling me crazy. Crazy.

[Brianna Stewart]

No, no, not crazy confidence. It's. You're just like, yeah, we're gonna win.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

And you say it in a way that's like. And everyone else around you, myself include, I was like, okay, yeah, we're gonna win. That's like, that's special. I think that is a part of your confidence that. That separates you. What's been the. Just like, you know, you're teamed up with Sabrina. Obviously, 20, 23 is the first year, but then moving on, like, what has those three years been with the two of us teammates?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I think for us, we just build chemistry. Obviously showing her how to be a leader in her own way and kind of embracing that because, you know, she's not a rookie, she's well into the league at this point and finding her game through a number of different ways. You know, knowing that people are going to try to blow her up, they're going to top block her, they're going to make things difficult. And how can we make things easier for one another? Because I feel like in a two man game, there's always going to be something. And I felt that with me and you and me and Jewel, it's like eventually they have to give something.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And then you just keep taking advantage of that until they take that away. But I think her, like, obviously she's an incredible shot maker, but even this year, like, just her. Her reads, her playmaking, her finding people on backdoor passes, like, it's been a lot of fun. And she, she loves the. The energy and especially in Barclays, loves to. To kind of get him hype.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah, she got hype on that one review against Connecticut. That was hilarious. I know. I'm sure some. I feel like something was said between her and Marina, like an lol. You don't need to tell me, but unless you can.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Well, I think it was just that she hit her hair.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

She. She was like, look at my pony. Look at my pony.

[Brianna Stewart]

Like my pony. Okay. You win in 2024. Congratulations. That series was insane. I don't want to talk about the end. We've talked about it enough.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yes.

[Brianna Stewart]

Just the series overall. What. How tiring was that series?

[Megan Rapinoe]

It. Exhausting. And I. And I feel what's, like, one of the biggest pain points and one of the things that needs to be kind of figured out is, like, between game four and game five was one day.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. No, it was tight.

[Megan Rapinoe]

You know, like, literally one day in between game for you to, like, rest and recover your body and your mind and get back out. And it's game five, winner take all.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

But it was hard because it was, like, drama.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And everything.

[Brianna Stewart]

Not everything.

[Megan Rapinoe]

On the court, off the court. Game winners here, game winners there.

[Brianna Stewart]

Controversial.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Controversial calls. Game four, same situation. But I remember, like, being in game five and knowing, like, first of all, we were down, like, 15 points or something, but you could feel that we were going to come back, and we were going to come back, and we needed to keep our cool when we were down and, like, fight through it, because eventually you're going to have an opportunity to, like, get back in there. And we did.

[Brianna Stewart]

What's the moment between missing free throws and then making free throws?

[Megan Rapinoe]

How?

[Brianna Stewart]

How? Yeah, no, that's not. A lot of people can overcome that. Yeah, I know it's easy to think, like, I just missed these fruit even now. But the fact that you came back, had to step up and then made them.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

That's what you should take from that. So I'm curious if you have taken.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I'll, like, think back to the game one, where it was like, yeah, I had the free throw to win the game, and I only made one, and we went to overtime, you know, so then it's like you go to game five, and it's like, here we are again at the free throw line.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yep.

[Megan Rapinoe]

30 seconds prior. Just missed two in a row. Just like, not normal.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And when I get those free throws again, it's kind of like all the things are running through your mind. How the finals went last year.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Missing these free throws again. These are going to be the biggest free throws of my career up to this point. And I remember just, like, thinking about, all right, I'm gonna just do my routine. I'm gonna make the first one, and then I'm gonna make the second one. And like, it was so quiet in that gym. It was so quiet.

[Brianna Stewart]

It was.

[Megan Rapinoe]

But I was like, I'm gonna just do my routine and shoot the ball confidently and whatever's gonna happen is gonna happen. And I'm gonna know, like, I did everything that I. I could have done. And they went in.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. It worked out.

[Megan Rapinoe]

It worked out. Stressful.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Which brings us current. You are having a great year. Your team is having a great year. I am curious, like, how are you feeling just in your game? Because there are some interesting numbers. We already kind of mentioned the three point shooting. That to me is a mental thing that eventually great shoes are great shoes.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Like, it comes around, it's gonna work.

[Brianna Stewart]

But you are shooting a low percentage in three point, but you're shooting high from your twos.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

Career high. And field goal percentage overall. So that's kind of weird thing. Yeah. You're actually shooting a career low in attempts, but you're still averaging 19 points. So it's like, it's kind of all these fluctuations, which of course, attempts especially speaks to just like, how much talent. The way you guys are playing. No one has to be the one all the time. You have so much to spread around. But overall, just like, when you think about your development, you know, becoming even more of a playmaker, like, how are you feeling in your game right now?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I'm feeling good. I'm feeling. I'm feeling really good. Especially like now, like, within the past two weeks, we had like a crazy stretch of like four and six days. And that was a little bit tough just because, like, you're working back rehab wise. But also, you know, you're not used to playing like, this many games this quickly.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. So rehab wise, just very quickly. Stewie had off season knee surgery. You've been. You're good now, but great now. But, like, what's coming back from that?

[Megan Rapinoe]

Exactly. So it's like finding my groove, figuring out, getting back into it. Like, in the beginning of the season, I wasn't rebounding as well. So that was something that was frustrating to me.

[Brianna Stewart]

I was going to bring that up. You.

[Megan Rapinoe]

I had one rebound, one game.

[Brianna Stewart]

I know last year you averaged eight and a half, which isn't even the most, but just last year, this year, this year, averaging 5.4.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Okay, well, it's going to come up.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Just like my three point percentage.

[Brianna Stewart]

Okay, great.

[Megan Rapinoe]

It's all going to come up.

[Brianna Stewart]

I mean, I was like toying with. I want to say it, but it's fine. Okay.

[Megan Rapinoe]

CD Already text me. You had one more rebound than a dead person.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

CD but just being efficient. I think obviously, you know, I'm going to be more and more aggressive, like shot taking and stuff like that. But like you said, the playmaking, like, getting downhill, knowing that they're coming. They're always coming, and trying to spray to the corner, especially opposite corner, when I can, like, go like this.

[Brianna Stewart]

Look at you. A different kind of hook shot these days.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Exactly. And. And really just taking what the defense gives me. And I think, you know, like you said, we have a team right now where nobody has to do too too much. And obviously there's going to be nights where there's more on my plate or more on sab's plate. But to really work in and implement the depth of this team is going to be so special, especially building everybody's confidence for the run that we want to make later.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. When you look around the league, what stands out? Other teams?

[Megan Rapinoe]

I think, obviously Minnesota, like the fact that they're. They're playing well, and that's to no surprise either. But I think everyone else is kind of like, working out the kinks, if you will.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah.

[Megan Rapinoe]

And it's early. It's hard to. To really kind of see what's going to happen. But, like, half the league has, like, a bad record already. But those are the most dangerous teams. Like, those are the ones that you're like, I got to be on my P's and Q's. Like, I have to be, like, ready to go now.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. Don't let records. Not you like the General. You can't let a record for you because they're good. Not only are they good, when they do figure out the kinks, they're going to be like, weather tested.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

They're going to be like, oh, I've already been through the shit.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Yeah.

[Brianna Stewart]

This means this game's nothing. You know, those are the tough ones.

[Megan Rapinoe]

So I feel like we're. You can't decide anything yet. Like, we're nine games in, and there's so many more games to come. But just for us, like in New York, we're just trying to be consistently great. And I think from what we were last year, like, there was moments where we would, like, dip down or lose two games in a row, and then it was like, the world is imploding. You know, what's going to happen next, and now just, you know, imposing our will, like, on a nightly basis.

[Brianna Stewart]

Yeah. All right, so I know it's championship or bust. This Year. Of course, it's probably that every year for you, but I know it's championship or bus for you this year. Where would going back to back stack up in your career highlights?

[Megan Rapinoe]

The. The opportunity to go back to back. I don't know. Like, I just. I want to feel that feeling again of, like, celebrating with the city and in New York, because that celebration was like no other. But I also think back to what you said is like, and this was when we were in Seattle, winning is so hard. You know, you win once and you're like, oh, we're gonna be right back there the next year. And then it's not for, like, years later, you know, so not losing sight of that and knowing that at some point throughout the season, there is going to be adversity, and how are we going to overcome that to. To continue to where we want to go? So it'll be. It'll be interesting. There's going to be something that happens for sure, but we'll work through it.

[Brianna Stewart]

Young Stewie has now turned into, like, now you're Miyagi people. Now you're the Miyagi student becomes teacher. I love it. This is amazing. Thank you for coming on.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Thank you.

[Brianna Stewart]

All right, everybody, Hope you enjoyed that conversation with Stewie. I love, for me, it just. It really left a mark on how much she's been through and how each moment of adversity has really shaped her. Whether it's the early days, her freshman year of UConn, the injuries and the playoff losses that she had to deal with in Seattle, and how even now, she knows on a team that is going undefeated, adversity is gonna come. And obviously my favorite part is knowing that I had even the smallest, tiniest amount of influence in that. She knows winning is hard. She knows it's not guaranteed. But the fact that she's able to take on these moments of diversity, that's what's impressive about Stewie. This episode is a co production of two GetHer and Vox Media. Our producers are Tommy Alter, Jason Gallagher, Richie Bozek, Harry Krinsky, Jess Clarendon and Jasmine Ellis. Support for this show comes from pure leaf iced tea. When you find yourself in the afternoon.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Slump, you need the right thing to.

[Brianna Stewart]

Make you bounce back. You need pure leaf iced tea.

[Megan Rapinoe]

It's real brewed tea made in a.

[Brianna Stewart]

Variety of bold flavors with just the.

[Megan Rapinoe]

Right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. You're left feeling refreshed and revitalized so.

[Brianna Stewart]

You can be ready to take on what's next. The next time you need to hit the reset button. Grab a pure leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a pure leaf.