A total of 11 games have been played in the WNBA so far this season, and Storm rookie Breanna Stewart’s 23-point performance represents the 10th highest scoring output. On opening weekend, Stewart ranked first in points among rookies, tied for fourth with six rebounds and tied for second with three assists.
But how did her WNBA debut compare to those of previous No. 1 draft picks?
Among all first-year players, not just the top draft selections, Stewart’s 23 points rank third all-time. Compared to just the other No. 1 picks, her debut was outdone by only Candace Parker, the player Stewart battled in the post last Sunday. Parker scored 34 in her first WNBA game for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008. The only other rookie debut that featured more points than Stewart’s was Cynthia Cooper in 1997 (25 points).
Most Points in Rookie Debut
1) Candace Parker, 2008: 34 points
2) Cynthia Cooper, 1997: 25 points
3) Breanna Stewart, 2016: 23 points
Here is a look at how some of the past No. 1 picks fared in their first games, dating back to Sue Bird’s debut with the Storm in 2002.
No. 1 Pick Debuts
- Jewell Loyd, 2015: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
- Chiney Ogwumike, 2014: 13 points, 5 rebounds
- Brittney Griner, 2013: 17 points, 8 rebounds
- Nneka Ogwumike, 2012: 9 points, 3 rebounds
- Maya Moore, 2011: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
- Tina Charles, 2010: 17 points, 10 rebounds
- Angel McCoughtry, 2009: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
- Candace Parker, 2008: 34 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists
- Lindsey Harding, 2007: 12 points, 3 rebounds
- Seimone Augustus, 2006: 21 points, 5 rebounds
- Janel McCarville, 2005: 2 points, 6 rebounds
- Diana Taurasi, 2004: 22 points, 3 assists
- LaToya Thomas, 2003: 8 points, 4 rebounds
- Sue Bird, 2002: 18 points, 6 assists