Brittney Griner will not compete in another major tournament until 2022. The World Cup will serve as a sobering reminder that one of women’s basketball’s top stars is incarcerated.
Griner was arrested in February with hashish oil vape cartridges. Griner was prescribed medical cannabis in the United States to treat chronic pain. It is prohibited in Russia. She was sentenced to nine years in prison in August and is currently awaiting a prisoner swap with Paul Whelan.
“She’s a USA Basketball stalwart,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve remarked. I just wanted to tell her that our athletes always think of her.” “She will be remembered forever.”
Griner, the first overall WNBA draught pick in 2013, has been with USA Basketball since the 2014 World Cup. In Tokyo, Griner averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds.
“She’s a significant part of our sisterhood,” teammate Jewell Loyd remarked. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know her. Her family adores her. Her absence is disastrous.
“I suppose her buddies should put up a show for her. Sylvia Fowles, Tina Charles, and Griner are all veteran American centers. There will be no World Cup for them. She gave her all on every basketball squad, including USA Basketball.”
Fowles, 37, and Charles, 33, have left USA Basketball. In four Olympics and one World Cup, each won three gold medals. Griner, who will be 32 in October, won both tournaments twice.
“BG is priceless.”
Brittney Griner will be missed, according to Breanna Stewart.
Dangers of low-block. Griner has made 6 of 17 WNBA 3-pointers this season, while Fowles has made one. 6-4 Charles has 174 three-pointers this season. Charles is the only Olympic or World Cup player to hit a three-point shot. In Tokyo, she made three.
Wilson, 26, and Stewart, 28, are the most experienced post players in the United States. Wilson, the WNBA champion from Sunday, will arrive in Australia late. Stewart averaged 15.0 points per game in Tokyo.
6-5 C/F for newcomers to the United States. Shakira Austin, 22, Brionna Jones, 26, and Alyssa Thomas, 30, finished second in the WNBA.
Fowles, Charles, and Griner expanded and internationalized the United States. Griner, unlike Fowles and Charles, was expected. “BG is irreplaceable,” Stewart says.
“We hope she returns home soon and is doing well under difficult circumstances, but we know she has a significant role in USA Basketball since she dominates on the court and is nice of it.
“‘She should be here,’ you think, but it’s about more than basketball. First and foremost, we must reunite her with her family. How else can Team USA pay tribute to Griner?
On Friday, Cherelle Griner negotiated her release with Biden. Americans are aware that FIBA prohibits political expression. Griner’s WNBA teammates see this as a humanitarian gesture.
“We’ll boost her name and put pressure on the White House,” Stewart says. Cherelle’s meeting with Biden was terrific, and she may be returning home soon. I’d win gold to honor her.