Before the second half of the 2024 WNBA season tipped off on Thursday night, ESPN released its midseason top 25 rankings.
The Worldwide Leader had reigning league MVP Breanna Stewart ranked at No. 2, trailing only current MVP frontrunner A’ja Wilson.
This second-place ranking is more than reasonable for the New York Liberty forward, but some language used in justification of Stewart’s ranking raised some eyebrows.
ESPN contributor Kevin Pelton suggested Stewart may be “aging out of her prime.”
“Ahead of her 30th birthday, it could be the first sign of Stewart aging out of her prime. The decline can be traced to a 3-point slump dating back to the postseason. Stewart shot just 18% beyond the arc in May before warming to 33% in June,” Pelton wrote.
This description caught the attention of Stewart’s wife/former WNBA guard Marta Xargay.
“STOP WITH THE DISRESPECT!!!! Aging out? She’s the reigning MVP on best team in the league! Do your homework Kevin Pelton!” Xargay wrote on X.
The Liberty chimed in with a response as well.
“LET ‘EM KNOW MARTA,” the team wrote.
Stewart is fresh off her third Olympic gold medal as a member of the United States women’s basketball team. The league’s reigning MVP and her Liberty squad will resume their 2024 WNBA season with a matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks
