MIES (Switzerland) - Already on a pathway to senior stardom and tipped by some at a young age to be one of the most iconic players ever, Breanna Stewart showed why that claim was destined to come true on the day she famously secured a spectacular third global youth title.
An unprecedented acheivement, as well as being so typical of an amazing player who would go on be an iconic figure in women's hoops.
Stepping out at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2013 in Lithuania, the baller affectionately known simply as 'Stewie', completed the feat as USA won the famous trophy once again.
Capturing this third gold medal on the global stage, the forward was on fire for the champions and capped a superb tournament in real style by taking deserved MVP honors.
Stewart was unstoppable and after opening up with a 26-point salvo against the hosts in her first outing, she never looked back. It culminated in USA powering past and shutting down France 61-28 in the gold medal game and the forward claiming a near double-double of 16 points and 9 boards.
Standing on the top podium step in Klaipeda came after she had played as one of the youngest ballers in the entire tournament at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2011 in Puerto Montt, Chile.
But this didn't stop her winning a second global gold and still making the prestigious All-Star Five lineup at the event after leading the title winners in scoring during the competition.
Although this second major youth event did provide something highly unusual - the only loss of Stewart's entire FIBA youth career after they went down in a shock defeat to Canada en-route to being crowned champions.
The first global title for Stewie came at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2010 in France as USA conquered the first-ever edition of the tournament with an 8-0 record. It was the first time that everyone had seen her on the world stage and the excitement was sparked by those who got to see her up close.
Fast-forward back to Lithuania and that day she made it three golds - it was a launch pad to a glittering senior career that has witnessed more titles, medals and individual honors cascading onto her phenomenal resume. Including completing the circle as MVP of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2018.
But it was her grounding in FIBA youth basketball that really did help to mould Stewie into the amazing player she has become - a journey she has also always been super proud to reflect on.
FIBA