It was in 2013 that two revolutionary talents of the WNBA first became roommates. At the time, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson were both unaware of the history they would create together. During the regular season, Stewart and Wilson battle for pride, as they did in the 2023 WNBA Finals, to be termed the ‘best player’. However, the Olympics presents a rare opportunity for former roommates and friends to unite, fighting for the same cause. But how do they manage to establish coordination when both of them are so supremely skilled?

Stewart is a multiple-time league MVP, 2x champion, and a perennial All-Star. A’ja Wilson is on the doorstep of unprecedented history. Yet, they can easily put aside their distinguished rivalry when they don the Team USA jerseys. How is that possible? In an Exclusive interview with EssentiallySports’ correspondent in Paris, Grant Afseth, 2x Olympic gold medalist Breanna Stewart unraveled the core reason behind the splendid partnership with Wilson on the court.

“I think both of us are trying to give each other space to work. And make sure we are always looking for each other, whether it’s in transition, high-low and the same goes defensively. Just have each other’s back,” the New York Liberty star said.

It’s easier said than done, though. It’s rare to see two competing pillars blending and working seamlessly on the basketball court. Nonetheless, it’s not hard to believe that a lot of it comes from their time spent during Youth basketball. Since they first played together for the U19 US Team in 2013 and won Gold, Stewart and Wilson have been part of multiple Gold-winning teams together: the 2018 FIBA World Cup, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and another FIBA World Cup in 2022.

Before all the fame, legacy, and acclaim, the dangerous tandem were merely two good friends sharing a keen love for the sport of basketball. Without that experience together, it’s hard to tell whether they would have mixed so well together. Furthermore, they are also aware of their pivotal role in the growth of the sport as two of the pioneers carrying the torch.

A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart consider Team USA as their team

Pit them in a league game against one another and Breanna Stewart and Wilson will push each other to the brink of their abilities. Hang the Team USA silhouette on top of them and they become an unstoppable tandem, taking charge from the front. In the two games so far, the veterans have seized their opportunity and outright dominated.

In their first game against Japan, the 27-year-old Wilson took the helm. She supplied 24 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 4 assists in the lob-sided win in their Paris Olympics opener. Stewart then had 22. Then yesterday against Belgium, the Liberty star propelled Team USA to their second straight win, pouring 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks behind another double-double from Wilson.

The duo is simply designed to destroy opponents in USAWB’s pursuit of an eighth straight Olympic gold medal. And the Stewart-Wilson tandem is well-informed of their position as the leaders of the national team.

“I think A’ja and I can really just take ownership of this team and what we want to do. We have this opportunity to really work together and have this tandem that is unstoppable, and play into that and have a lot of fun with it,” Stewart told ESPN.

Despite their persona as arch-rivals in the WNBA, both A’ja Wilson and Stewart share a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s game. They not only acknowledge the other but are also willing to share the spotlight as the two faces of women’s basketball. Both being under 30, the tandem has a long road of success and triumph ahead of them. Luckily, they aren’t intimidated by the herculean duties that rest on their wide, secure shoulders.