“This Sets a Horrible Precedent for the NCAA”: Brittney Griner Once Got Blasted for Resorting to Violence at a College Basketball Game by Ex-NBA Star

Brittney Griner is a bonified WNBA superstar. However, it was during her college years that she put the world on notice of her basketball talents. As a Baylor University star, she was crowned Most Outstanding Player of the 2012 NCAA tournament and propelled her team to the national championship.

Her heroics in college led to her selection as the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft. Her reputation throughout her college days, however, was not restricted to being a powerhouse on the court. She once jeopardized her reputation by punching another player during a college game.

Griner sparked quite a stir during Baylor’s matchup against Texas Tech in 2010.  In retaliation to a rough play by Tech player Jordan Barncastle, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Griner responded with violence, hitting her opponent with a right hook and breaking her nose.

Brittney Griner must have anticipated a lengthy suspension coming her way. However, to the surprise of her and everyone, Griner was only suspended for two games.

Initially, it was just a one-game suspension by the NCAA until Baylor coach Kim Mulkey suspended her for an additional game. While this would have been good news for Griner because it meant she’d be back for the NCAA tournament, it didn’t sit well with a former NBA player.

Jalen Rose was enraged by the NCAA’s brief suspension of Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner broke Jordan Barncastle’s nose after the 6’9″ Griner was tossed to the ground by the Texas Tech player. While many expected Griner to be suspended for several games, the NCAA only suspended the Baylor standout for two.

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This upset former NBA player Jalen Rose, who went on to chastise Griner as well as the NCAA. First, he stated that if DeMarcus Cousins, the then-Kentucky star, had punched a Georgia player, there would be no end to it. He said that Kentucky would have suspended him for the rest of the season.

Rose went on to add that if she had punched Barncastle outside the arena, she would have faced charges. The ESPN sports analyst then went on to make some criticizing remarks about the NCAA. “The problem is that this sets a horrible precedent for the NCAA,” Jalen Rose said. “Two games is nothing. If they want to curb violence in college athletics, you have to drop the hammer on people when they mess up,” he added. 

Rose was clearly dissatisfied with the NCAA’s neglect to take the matter seriously. He argued that it is important to punish players appropriately if such incidences of violence occur.

However, it has been 12 years since the incident involving Griner and Barncastle. It’s unclear whether the Phoenix Mercury star ever apologized to her directly.

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