On Friday, Breanna Stewart returns to Connecticut for the first time since leaving UConn just a few months ago. Ahead of the Storm’s meeting with the Sun (7 PM ET, WNBA League Pass), Breanna Stewart talked to reporters about adjusting to the WNBA, her partnership with Jewell Loyd, and what it will be like to return to Connecticut.

Is anything that you’ve found that’s been a more difficult or a slower transition from your game at the WNBA level?

I think the one thing — and I’m not sure you can make the transition any faster — [is] just creating that chemistry with the new team, new teammates. I played at UConn for four years, and got a pretty good understanding of what people like and don’t like. And when you play on a new team you kind of have to start all over with that. We didn’t have a lot of time for practice or training camp because the season started earlier due to the Olympic break. So I think we’ve been rolling with the punches and getting better every day.

You lost five games all of your UConn career, you’ve lost five games in the WNBA. How tough has that been to get used to, and what’s the major difference playing games when you know you aren’t going to win by 30 points every night? 

I don’t want to lose. Losing games is difficult. Making sure that I continue to keep that mentality that losing isn’t okay. Like you’ve said, I’ve lost five games already this season, and that’s [how much] I lost in four years at UConn. Obviously this is a whole different level, playing against the best players in the world every single night. And you can’t always win. I would love it if I didn’t lose any more games in this season, but I know that’s a hefty goal.

Wanted to ask you about your budding partnership with Jewell Loyd. You guys teamed up for that awesome alley-oop the other day. What has it been like so far, getting to play with Jewell? 

It’s been a lot of fun. During college we played against each other most of the time. But now to be on the same team, we both have versatile styles where we can do a lot of things on the court. Especially in the game against Phoenix, things were clicking. And you know, you talked about the alley-oop play, but that was just a small sign of hopefully what we plan to do as we continue to learn what each other likes and doesn’t like. It’s exciting. We want it to happen as soon as possible, but it comes down to how quickly we can build together.

Sue Bird is a teammate of yours. I was wondering, being that your both former UConn stars, have you gotten any mentorship about transitioning to the next level from Sue?

What I’m going through, she’s gone through for the most part. Coming from Connecticut, being drafted, going through this whole process. Yeah, I look up to her. She’s one of the best players in the league, the best point guard in this league. What she’s been able to do throughout her career is what I want to do. The impact she’s made, that kind of thing. She’s helped me adapt to this league and what’s going on as fast as possible. Coming from UConn definitely helps because I knew her before I got drafted to the Seattle Storm. She came back to UConn a lot, we played on the National Team a few times. So having that relationship prior to the Seattle Storm helps.

What is the best superstition you have going into every game?

I’m not really a superstitious person. I do kind of the normal routine. I listen to music on the way to the gym, get to the gym, want to get a lot of shots up, and want to feel ready for the game. I don’t do anything crazy like you hear some people doing.

Any particular music?

Lately it’s been Future and Drake. They’ve come out with some good stuff.

I saw a video last night of you driving to the basket against New York, and meeting up against Kiah. Did you guys have much conversation after the game about your meeting on the court?

I was waiting for this to come up (laughs). Well, I told her she didn’t need to block me like that. But in all seriousness, it was a nice play on her part. We were trying to make the game closer with less than a minute to play. Usually I’m on the same team as Kiah, so she’s doing that to other people. You can’t be too upset — it was a great basketball play. To be able to see what she’s done, and the success that she’s had in the WNBA and even overseas, you can’t not be happy for her.

You and Morgan (Tuck) have been through a lot together. I know it’s not the first time you’ll be on the court against her. But what do you think it’s going to be like? 

I think it’s gonna be fun, to be able to square off against someone you’re really, really close friends with and you’ve done a lot together in basketball. You know what kind of player she is, you know what she’s trying to do with her team. We’ll be competitive when the game starts, but then after the game’s over, we’re back to being friends.

Can you talk a little about what you feel coming back to Connecticut? Do you have obligations off the basketball court?

It’s gonna be a really fun night. I’m looking forward to coming back. I’m happy that we’re gonna be there earlier than the game. We get there Wednesday. My friends, my family are coming. UConn, the team is coming. The coaches should be there I believe. I know that the fans are excited to see us, too. I heard the game is almost sold out. It will just be an exciting night. First time coming back to Connecticut, this was my home away from home basically.

You saw the Sun play a couple times when you were at UConn; the team came down for similar things. What is it about the Connecticut fan base that is special to you?

The one thing with the Connecticut fan base is they love watching sports and they’re very loyal. They’re loyal to UConn players, and also to the Connecticut Sun. Not only UConn, but the Sun are getting a great turnout and attendance. It will just show what kind of fans we have, what kind of fans are in our state. Hopefully they’ll be cheering for the Storm, as well, just because we have some UConn alums on our team now too.

With everything that’s happened since, how long ago does what happened at Connecticut feel to you right now?

It really doesn’t feel too long ago. It feels like it was just the other day. I guess it would feel longer just ’cause so much has happened in between. But right now my focus is on Seattle, on the Storm, not realizing that it’s June 6. Two months ago we were in the National Championship. It’s kind of surreal how fast things have gone. It’s weird to think that, win the National Championship, come out to Seattle, go back to UConn to graduate, and I’ve been out here ever since. I’m just looking forward to getting out there to see my family. That’s one of the biggest things. It’s different being on the West Coast compared to being four-and-a-half hours away.