Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been stuck in Russian for over eight months now. The WNBA star is fighting for her freedom after being sentenced to nine years in prison under drug possession charges. Many people around Griner, including her family, friends, teammates, and coaches, have spoken in her support. However, the former Baylor University women’s team coach Kim Mulkey was heavily criticized for being silent on the Brittney Griner saga in Russia. The present LSU coach Mulkey has finally broken her silence on BG after weeks of humiliation from the media.
Kim Mulkey was the head coach of the Baylor Bears women’s basketball team from 2000-2021. The 60-year-old coached Brittney Griner when she was with the Baylor University team from 2009-2013. Mulkey played a key role in BG’s evolution, helping her make it to the NBA as the first overall pick in the 2013 Drafts.
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Kim Mulkey addresses Brittney Griner controversy amid ongoing media criticism
Last month, a reporter asked Mulkey about her thoughts about Griner’s arrest in Russia. However, the LSU head coach refrained from making a comment. ?The reporter claimed not to have seen any comments from Mulkey regarding the matter. Kim Mulkey replied, “And you won’t.” Since then, the former Baylor coach has received a lot of backlash from the media for being silent on Griner’s case.?
Mulkey finally broke her silence after weeks of media humiliation on the occasion of Brittney Griner’s 32nd birthday on October 18. Kim Mulkey wished her former student a happy birthday. Then, she went on to address her critics impressively.
The three-time NBAA Division I champ coach reminded everyone about her comments from June 28th. Mulkey appeared on the Tiger Rag Radio podcast and expressed her opinion on the Britteny Griner fiasco.?
During the podcast, Mulkey revealed that she followed the national media regarding Griner’s situation in Russia, just like everyone. She did not make any public comments because it was a personal matter for her. Mulkey had also pointed out that many people have been speaking out for Griner and the ones who remained silent were certainly praying for her return. She added,?“I pray for Brittney. I want her home.”
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After the reminder, Mulkey stated,?“Perception is not a reality. The people who know you are all that matters. The phone calls you get from former players.”
“When we die, none of those people out there matter. All that matter are the people who know you,” she added.
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Mulkey has always received great respect from all the players she has coached. She has given a fitting reply to all her critics who were unaware of her comments from June. Thus, Kim Mulkey is praying for Brittney Griner’s return just like everyone in America.