Brittney Griner will compete in her third Olympic Games, playing an integral role in Team USA’s quest for a record-8th consecutive gold medal. Over the past couple of years, she’s faced enormous challenges and became part of an international storyline, garnering support from many worldwide. As Griner enters into a new phase of her life, “lucky and blessed to be able to be in this position,” she and Team USA will take on Japan in Lille, France, on Monday.

After spending 10 months in a Russian prison after being detained at the Moscow airport in February 2022, this will be her first international appearance after not playing against Germany at the USA Basketball Showcase in London. Despite her challenges, Brittney Griner is now focused on contributing to her team’s success.

Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury, Griner resumed her impressive WNBA career, which began in 2013. Before the league’s 27-day Olympic break, she appeared in 14 games, averaging 18.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in just under 30 minutes per game.

Despite wearing a different uniform, Brittney will compete with Diana Taurasi and Kahleah Copper, her Phoenix Mercury teammates—this time, it’ll be for a gold medal instead of a WNBA championship! Griner’s triumphant return, which is filled with “emotions everywhere,” has received welcoming support from teammates, coaches, and peers, including in the Olympic Village, since being in Paris, ahead of competing with Team USA.

Inspired by her military veteran dad, battling through all the hardships, Brittney Griner admits being “really stoked” with all the emotions

Despite the circumstances, when it’s time to compete, Brittney Griner admitted trying to prioritize the task at hand. In an interview ahead of Team USA facing Japan, she said, “I’m trying to tell myself we don’t have time for [emotions, in order] to be locked in. But there is going to be emotion here or there. There are going to be emotions everywhere. But it’s the Olympics, I think there are a lot of emotions for everybody.”

With Taurasi, 42, competing in her sixth Olympic Games, Brittney Griner admitted she would probably be more emotional playing with her co-star for the final time with Team USA. A clear motivation to win a gold medal together one last time, isn’t it?

“I think I’m going to be more emotional for that, honestly. Any chance I get to be with DT, based on my whole career, overseas, USA, and Phoenix. She taught me everything,” Griner said of Taurasi. “I credit everything to her, helping me out, helping me navigate life, basketball overseas international play, and just being able to share the sport with her before another Olympics. It’s very special to me.”

Brittney Griner’s military veteran father inspired her undying dedication to representing her country, a belief that has only strengthened over time. Before revealing that he wouldn’t be able to make it to Paris, the Phoneix Mercury veteran said, “For me to represent my country, it means everything to him, me, myself.”

“Before basketball, I wanted to be in our military. So now, to be able to put it on and be honored to be picked again amongst so many amazing women, to be here a third time, I’m just really stoked.”

The Olympics have also served as a reunion for Brittney Griner, allowing her to reconnect with former coaches from her Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, who are now coaching the Spanish national team. “People come up to you and say, congratulate you, people haven’t seen you,” a reporter told Griner, as she nodded in agreement, saying, “Yeah, yeah!”

“I got to see my coach for Spain, who was my coach in Russia, and assistant coach Nacho as well, Miguel and Nacho. And then I got to see Alba as well. I haven’t seen them since everything happened.”

Reflecting on her journey and the support she has received, Griner said, “At the end of the day, we’re all athletes, we’re all in this together, and it’s bigger than sports. You hear that a lot. Now I understand it.” Her journey is a testament to her resilience and determination. As she competes in her third Olympics, she does so with a renewed appreciation for every moment on and off the court. The focus remains on winning the gold medal. 

Brittney also emphasized the importance of defense and teamwork, saying, “Just defending. We know we can get up shots with the talent that we have on this team. But some games, the shots just don’t fall, and we gotta rely on our defense.”

As long as Griner provides effective interior offense, paint protection, and rebounding, her role will remain integral to Team USA’s success on the Olympic stage. With so many talented players around her, lauding her for making a comeback from terribly difficult times, the conditions are present for this group to overwhelm the rest of the competition en route to a gold medal.

Brittney continues to feel significant support for her “big moment” from Team USA folks

Diana Taurasi is among the folks who continued to support Brittney Griner. On Saturday, Taurasi shared how glad she was for Griner, being able to don Olympic colors again and experience the ceremony along the River Seine. “What BG’s gone through in the last couple of years is obviously unprecedented,” the 42-year-old said before Saturday’s practice.

“To be able to put this jersey back on, to be at the opening ceremony last night, it’s a big moment for her in a lot of ways. But I’m glad she did it because she’s a remarkable person.”

Rolling back the calendar to Brittney Griner’s tough times, USA Basketball had hoped she would return home safely someday, while she was detained. In the end, she’s grateful for how the situation played out, enabling her to appreciate everything. “It’s always with me, and there are definitely moments of like, ‘Oh wow, this could be totally different — I could be seeing this beautiful view through bars,’” Griner said before Saturday’s practice in Paris.

“It doesn’t go away. It makes you appreciate everything a little bit more, too.”

Brittney Griner mentioned that boarding her first international flight to the Olympics was not difficult, but the train ride to Lille brought back memories of her time in Russian custody. “The train was a little different story,” she shared. 

Team USA head coach Cheryl Reeve commended her for handling such a “deeply painful” situation throughout her return to competing for this group on the Olympic stage. “It’s remarkable when you think about that personal, deeply painful situation that our entire league felt, but for her personally — the despair, loss of hope, things that she went through, it’s remarkable that she is who she is today and playing this game back abroad, playing in the Olympics,” Reeve expressed.

Brittney Griner has always cherished the opportunity to represent the United States. However, given her journey, it’s safe to assume she feels an added level of gratitude for this opportunity.

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