Posted 07/14/16, 8:17 AM CST

LOS ANGELES (AM News Net)  –  Seattle Storm forward and former University of Connecticut basketball player Breanna Stewart was voted Best Female Athlete this year at the ESPYS last night. Stewart has started all 20 games she has played this season for the WNBA's Seattle Storm and currently holds a 47.7 FG%, third on her team.

Stewart also was awarded the title of Best Female Collegiate Athlete. Stewart won four national titles when she played basketball for the University of Connecticut

After receiving her award, Stewart thanked her family and coaches, fans, and the University of Connecticut, but went on to emphasize the importance of her award and that there needs to be change for girls in sports.

"During my time in college, I received an enormous amount of media attention," Stewart said. "I'm grateful for that. And now that I'm in the WNBA playing with other amazing female athletes, I'm trying to understand why we, as professional female athletes don't receive anywhere near the same. This has to change."

Stewart continued, advocating for equality and asking everyone to make an effort.

"And I know everyone in this room loves and supports women and girls in sports and wants to be a part of that change, right?" she said. "Equality for all takes each of us making an effort. Thank you for this honor and together, let's be better."

Stewart will play her next WNBA game tomorrow against the Washington Mystics at 10:00 PM EST.

© 2016 AM News Net. All rights reserved. None of this material may be published, rewritten, broadcasted, or redistributed in anyway without expressed written permission from AM News Net.