Brittney Griner, the most decorated women's basketball player in the history of Baylor University, had her No. 42 jersey retired in an emotional pregame ceremony at the university's new arena, Foster Pavilion. Griner, a star for the Phoenix Mercury, returned to Waco, Texas, for the special occasion before the Bears faced off against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
During the ceremony, Griner expressed her emotions, stating, 'Just full of emotion.' As her jersey was raised to the rafters, she became visibly moved, reflecting on her time at Baylor.
Griner's illustrious career at Baylor included a national championship in 2012, two Final Four appearances, and six Big 12 conference championships. Over four seasons, the Houston native scored 3,283 points, grabbed 1,305 rebounds, and set numerous records in the Big 12 conference.
Notably, Griner holds the NCAA blocks record for a season and career, and she is the only player in NCAA women's basketball history to achieve over 2,000 career points and 500 career blocks. Out of 148 games played, she scored in double figures in all but two.
Before the ceremony, Griner expressed her gratitude to her fans and the Baylor community, stating, 'I'm honored to return home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey started.' She also thanked Coach Nicki and the Baylor community for their support.
Griner's jersey retirement comes after a challenging period in her life, including her release from a Russian prison in a prisoner swap. Following her return, she resumed playing with the Mercury and made a notable comeback in a game against the Dallas Wings.
Griner and her wife recently marked the first anniversary of her release with a heartfelt message to their fans, expressing gratitude for the support they received during a tumultuous year.
