Brittney Griner, the most decorated women’s basketball player in Baylor University history, is now wearing her jersey!
On Sunday, the Phoenix Mercury star returned to Waco, Texas, for an emotional pregame ceremony where his No. 42 jersey was hoisted onto the roof of the university’s new arena, Foster Pavilion, before the Bears took on the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
When asked how she felt in that monumental moment, Griner, 33, told ESPN, “Just full of emotion.”
“As soon as possible [the jersey] started going up, that’s when I started shooting,” she added.
Nicki Collen, Baylor’s current coach, stood next to Griner wearing a gold jacket with Griner’s No. 42 on the back. USA Today reported.
Brittney Griner.
Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images
Brittney Griner returns to basketball court with Phoenix Mercury: ‘There it is’
Griner’s career at Baylor included a 2012 national championship, two Final Four appearances and six Big 12 Conference championships.
Over four seasons, the Houston native scored 3,283 points and grabbed 1,305 rebounds. She also recorded the school’s first triple-double and holds the Big 12 records for points scored (3,283), field goals made (1,247), free throws (787) and attempts (1,054) and blocks (748).
Griner still holds the NCAA record for blocks in a season (223) and career. She is also the only player in NCAA women’s basketball history to have over 2,000 career points and 500 career blocks. Of the 148 games she played, Griner scored in double figures in all but two.
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Before the big day on Sunday, Griner thanked her fans and the Baylor community for their support.
“It’s an honor to come home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey began,” she said. “I am grateful to coach Nicki and the entire Baylor community and look forward to the opportunity to return to campus, spend time with the team and have my family by my side to share in this amazing moment. Sic ‘Em Bears.”
Griner’s day of celebration comes about 14 months after another significant moment in her journey — when she was released in a prisoner exchange, 10 months after being held in a Russian prison.
In August 2022, Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug trafficking charges for allegedly having hashish oil in her luggage.
Two months after her release on December 8, 2022, Griner was back playing with Mercury.
Last June, the WNBA star returned to Texas to play for the first time since being detained in Russia. Griner scored 24 points and grabbed four rebounds in her comeback against the Dallas Wings, playing in front of a crowd led by her wife, Cherelle Griner, her former high school coach, members of her AAU basketball team and other family members.
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Brittney Griner.
ANDREJ ISAKOVIĆ/AFP via Getty
Brittney Griner to release ‘Raw, emotional’ memoir detailing her 10 months in Russia in 2024
On the first anniversary of her departure from Russia, Griner and her husband posted a heartfelt message to her fans and followers on Instagram.
“This season is for spending time with loved ones,” they wrote. “One year ago today, thanks to President Biden, his team and the support of so many of you, our family was one of 58 families reunited by this administration. Our family was able to spend the holidays together, a priceless gift.”
They continued: “This past year has been tumultuous and we are grateful for all your support… As you gather with loved ones and participate in your family’s traditions, tell them how much you love them and take a moment to reflect and share a story, send a letter or call representative about one of the many Americans being kept away from their families this holiday season.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education