After her return from Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner recently took the opportunity to express her gratitude to everyone who played a crucial role in her release. In the first public statement since her return, Griner expressed the desire to look ahead in the future by announcing her intention to rejoin the WNBA in 2023. As fans wait for her return, Brittney Griner’s Phoenix Mercury coach has shot back into the news after having sparked a controversy with a comment involving LeBron James in the past.

The WNBA made a decision to honor the final year of Griner’s contract with the Phoenix Mercury. However, it resulted in BG becoming a free agent which is likely to cause some complications in her return. Now, the Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard has opened up for the first time since her return, addressing her comeback to the league.

Griner’s Mercury coach addresses her return

Brittney Griner’s return to the Phoenix Mercury is not a certainty yet. She will have to re-sign a contract with the franchise in February to secure a spot on the Mercury roster. While Griner’s status restricted Vanessa Nygaard to comment on her return, she expressed how good BG is as a basketball player.

In a recent interview with 19th News, Vanessa Nygaard stated, ?I think she?s one of the best basketball players in the world and an important player for the WNBA, an important player for USA basketball, someone who?s had a tremendous impact collegiately and in the pros.?

After sharing how crucial Griner is to the game of basketball, Nygaard also talked about the 2014 WNBA champ’s comeback. The Phoenix Mercury coach added, “It’s just wonderful that you know she loves the game so much that she wants to return.”

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Vanessa Nygaard spoke positively on the WNBA star’s return and seemed elated to have her back on the hardwood. The veteran coach will be hoping that the towering center strikes a deal soon with Phoenix. However, back in July, she ended up calling out LeBron James to condemn BG’s prolonged detention in Russia.

Nygaard’s controversy involving LeBron James & Brittney Griner

Vanessa Nygaard once sparked controversy while speaking on the lack of urgency to secure Brittney Griner’s release. The Mercury coach ended up calling out LeBron James in her controversial comments.

Nygaard stated, “If it were LeBron, he would be home, right? It is a statement about the value of women…”

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The WNBA coach reckoned that if a male superstar athlete like LeBron James would have been in a situation that Griner faced in Russia, the government would have secured his release sooner. Moreover, Nygaard argued that the inequalities in terms of respect and pay for male and female athletes also contributed to Griner’s situation.