They say time heals all, and that appears to be true concerning the distant relationship between Baylor University and its former star player, Brittney Griner.
The once strained relationship has been mended and the program announced that it will retire Griner’s number.
“We are excited to welcome Brittney back to Baylor and share this special day with her,” said Baylor Vice President and Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades. “There’s no doubt she is one of the most decorated student-athletes in Baylor athletics history and we’re thrilled the timing has worked out for all of us to celebrate and honor her. She always has been, and always will be, a significant member of the Baylor Family.”
Griner, a Houston native, is the most decorated basketball player in program history.
She was a 2x consensus National Player of the Year, 4x All-Big 12 First Team and All-Defensive Team selection. In addition to winning the Big 12’s Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2010, she swept the Player and Defensive Player of the Year Awards the next three seasons (2011, 2012 and 2013).
Griner, who scored 3,283 points and grabbed 1,305 rebounds, was a 3x All-American, recorded the first triple-double in Baylor history and holds the conference record for most points scored (3,283), field goals made (1,247), free throws made (787) and attempted (1,054), and blocks (748).
Yet all of the accolades and awards couldn’t defrost the icy relationship with then-Baylor coach Kim Mulkey that drove a wedge between Griner and the school, one that grew larger when Griner was imprisoned in Russia and Mulkey remained mum while her former player languished in a jail outside of Moscow.
Now that Griner and Baylor have made up, she will become the seventh player to have her jersey hoisted to the rafters on February 18th.
“I’m honored to return home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey started,” said Griner. “I’m grateful to Coach Nicki (Collen) and the entire Baylor community and looking forward to the opportunity to be back on campus, spend time with the team and have my family beside me to share in this incredible moment. Sic ‘Em Bears.”
It’s a fitting tribute to, arguably, the greatest player in Baylor women’s basketball history
