Brittney Griner returns to the court as the Phoenix Mercury start WNBA training camp
PHOENIX — A lighter tone surrounded the Phoenix Mercury to start its training camp, a sign that things have changed for the better.
After Brittney Griner returned to the team in the offseason, the team can shift its focus on how it will perform with her back on the court.
“We’ve just brought a whole different mindset and attitude to what kind of team we want to be this year. That’s up to the players, the coaching staff, and it starts on day one,” Diana Taurasi said.
Griner’s return in December marked the end of a 10-month detainment in Russia after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage when she was returning to Moscow in February 2022 to play overseas. Griner was sentenced to nine years last August before she was freed in a high-profile prisoner swap.
Taurasi, who had played with Griner in Russia before, wasn’t sure if she'd ever see Griner again.
“I don’t really live in this fake optimism of the world we live in, so I didn’t think she’d be back. I’ve lived in Russia for 10 years, but I’m glad she’s here,” Taurasi said.
Griner's return to basketball began with a 100-day plan that ended with Sunday’s start of training camp. Throughout that period, she had spent time with Taurasi, Shey Peddy, and Sophie Cunningham, who all trained in Phoenix for the offseason.
Even with her presence around Phoenix throughout the offseason, it was still an emotional moment for others seeing her there at the start of training camp.
“It’s a miracle... I was just so happy to see her today. I welcomed her back today and I almost cried,” head coach Vanessa Nygaard said. “She’s great, great energy, a dominant player, she’s un-guardable, and she has such a great spirit about her. Lot of positives for the Mercury having her with us.”
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As high-profile as Griner’s story was, it was still lost on some given her veteran presence on the team.
“I was talking to two of the rookies and they asked me about coach (Nygaard) and I was like, 'Well, I was locked up, so I don’t really know too much,'” Griner said. “I guess I’m a little bit of a rookie in training camp right now.”
Griner’s newness to the Nygaard’s system doesn’t cancel out the fact that the team’s style of play will now shift around with her abilities at the forefront.
With Griner back at center, the Mercury can move away from last year’s small ball style and take some pressure off the guards. Other players can also return to their respective positions, like Brianna Turner at power forward and Cunningham at wing.
“BG opens up the court for a lot of people because she’s just that big of a threat,” Cunningham said. “We have a whole new offense this year, we have a lot up our sleeve. Defensively, we have a lot as well.”
What remains now is Griner using the training camp for conditioning and getting closer to game shape. The 100 days are over, which leads the way for a record-high 40-game regular season.
“I know what we can do, I know what I can do. Am I where I want to be? No,” Griner said. “As much as I want to be Finals BG right now, it’s not the case. Just giving myself some grace and my teammates are picking me up, but I feel like I'm at a good spot to start training camp. I didn’t have to fall out or have to get some oxygen or a stretcher or anything, so I guess I’m good.”
If there’s any doubt on Griner’s abilities after being away from the game for so long, she finished off her first practice with a dunk.