Breanna Stewart Returns to Fenerbahçe to Chase Third EuroLeague Title
Three years later, superstar Stewart is back with Fener’ Photo Credit: FIBA
Breanna Stewart couldn’t resist the call from Istanbul. Announced in February, her return to Fenerbahçe for the EuroLeague Final Six immediately establishes the Turkish club as the absolute favorite in Zaragoza. Fresh off a perfect domestic campaign with 27 wins and zero defeats to claim the Turkish championship, the Istanbul-based team enters the final tournament from April 15-19 in optimal form.
The teammates of Gabby Williams and Iliana Rupert were already considered heavy favorites for this Final Six even before recruiting one of the world’s best players. With her immense experience as a three-time Olympic champion, Stewart is perfectly accustomed to these high-pressure knockout matches. The reinforcement proves even more valuable given her familiarity with part of the roster, having previously played alongside Emma Meesseman, Kayla McBride, and Gabby Williams during her first stint with the club.
A Balanced French Duo Leading the Charge
The Istanbul roster is anchored by a well-balanced French tandem. Iliana Rupert has emerged as the team’s offensive leader, averaging 15.9 points on 56.2% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Meanwhile, Gabby Williams dominates on the defensive end, listed as a candidate for EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year once again, posting 13.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.0 steals.
Oyuncumuz Breanna Stewart, İstanbul'da! 💛💙
Breanna Stewart has landed in Istanbul! 🛬Welcome to your FENER family, @breannastewart! 👋#PotanınKraliçeleri #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/Ps6QOmXd0V
— Fenerbahçe Opet (@fbkadinbasket) April 6, 2026
Already crowned EuroLeague champions in 2023 and 2024, Fenerbahçe’s players will now attempt to follow their male counterparts’ example by bringing another European trophy back to Turkey.
This isn’t a leap into the unknown for Stewart. The 31-year-old American has built her European club resume step by step. In 2021, she won the EuroLeague with UMMC Yekaterinburg, capturing her first Final Four MVP trophy. Two years later, wearing Fenerbahçe colors, she delivered a 25-point performance in a nearly 40-point victory over Mersin, earning her second Finals MVP award and joining the exclusive circle of players honored twice with this trophy. She could become the first three-time recipient.
Following her arrival in Istanbul, Stewart immediately conducted an individual training session at Metro Enerji Hall, accompanied by Andrew Wade, assistant coach and player development director for the New York Liberty. Her choice to return to Europe carries significance in the current context, as the Final Six concludes on April 19th, coinciding with the originally scheduled opening of WNBA training camps and ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.
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