Breanna Stewart and Devon Allen are already accustomed to big stadiums and bright lights. So at least in one way, it won't be a big deal when they walk into the Maracana for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics on Aug. 5.
They got plenty of experience playing in front of thousands of fans in person and millions on TV — and that was just in college. The Olympics have long been a competition at which college athletes have shined, and Allen and Stewart are just two of the biggest names among recent NCAA champions who will be competing in Rio starting Aug. 5.
Stewart won four national championships with the University of Connecticut’s basketball team, most recently in April. Despite joining a team full of experienced WNBA pros for the United States, Stewart could be a key player as a 6-foot-4 forward who can pass and shoot.
"It feels unbelievable to have the opportunity to play on the national team," Stewart told SI.com. "You can’t ask for a whole lot more coming out of college right away."
Allen’s NCAA titles have come on the track and he’s a medal contender in the 110-meter hurdles. But shortly after the closing ceremony, he'll head back to the University of Oregon and join the Ducks' football team as it tries to win a college football championship after coming close two years ago.
"It's something I've been dreaming about since I started running track," Allen told OregonLive.com. "It's surreal and it hasn't hit me yet but I'm sure it will hit me soon."
Allen is the only college football star who will be in Rio, but dozens of NCAA track and field athletes from various countries will compete, including decathlete Lindon Victor of Texas A&M, who will represent Grenada, and Filip Mihaljevic of Virginia, who will compete in the shot put for Croatia. Both won NCAA titles in their disciplines in the spring.
Competing for the United States are NCAA champions Jarrion Lawson of Arkansas (long jump); DeAnna Price of Southern Illinois (hammer throw); Clayton Murphy of Akron (1,500 meters); Courtney Frerichs of New Mexico (steeplechase); Maggie Malone of Texas A&M (javelin); Raven Saunders of Mississippi (shot put); Lexi Weeks of Arkansas (pole vault) and Kendell Williams of Georgia (heptathlon).
Impressive collegiate athletes will also participate in some of the Olympics' lesser-known sports.
Purdue's Steele Johnson will dive for the U.S. in the 10-meter individual and synchronized events. He won NCAA titles in the 1-meter and platform before taking this season off to prepare for Rio, but will return to West Lafayette and the 2016-17 season.
At the age of 19, West Virginia’s Ginny Thrasher already has NCAA titles in smallbore and air rifle. Shooting in front of Olympic crowds in Rio and being beamed around the world will be different from being on the range — or in the woods where she learned to shoot by hunting with her father and grandfather.
"It’s really overwhelming," Thrasher told The Washington Post. "I think once I get there and I see the Olympic village, it’ll hit me more than I’m actually a part of the Olympics."
Some of the best known Olympians haven't even gone to college yet. U.S. gymnast Madison Kocian signed a letter of intent to attend UCLA, while her teammate Laurie Hernandez made a verbal commitment to Florida. The U.S. women are strong contenders in Rio, meaning they could add a college championship to their Olympic ones.
