In a move that seems long overdue, Baylor announced this week that basketball star and Houston native Britney Griner’s No. 42 jersey is being retired.
The ceremony will take place on February 18 when the Bears host Texas Tech at Foster Pavillion, more than 10 years since her collegiate career ended.
“I’m honored to return home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey started,” Griner said in a statement released by Baylor. “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.”
Game Changer
The game-changing 6-foot-9 post player has, of course, gone on to be one of the most decorated women’s basketball players ever. Griner was a three-time All-American during her time at Baylor from 2009-2013 and led the Bears to a 40-0 record and the NCAA Women’s National Championship in 2012.
The Nimitz product also finished her career with 3,283 points and 1,305 rebounds and was a two-time National Player of the Year. Additionally, Griner left Baylor with the distinction of being the only player in NCAA women’s basketball history to have over 2,000 career points and 500 career blocked shots and has the second-most double-figure games in NCAA history after scoring in double figures in 146 of the 148 games she played.
“We’re excited to have Brittney back on campus and honor her with the retirement of her jersey,” said Baylor head coach Nicki Collen, who was not the coach when Griner played. “I have been saying this since I arrived at Baylor that she deserves to have her jersey retired and I wanted to make sure that happened when the timing was right.
“She is one of the best basketball players in Baylor’s history and we’re thrilled that the time has come to celebrate Brittney and all of her accomplishments.”
Post-College Success
Griner’s success of course, didn’t end there. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and she was drafted. She was the No.1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, where she has gone on to be a world champion and six-time WNBA All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury.
Griner, of course, has been a huge international star while playing overseas during the offseason. As a result of her spending time overseas, Griner was caught up in a 10-month detainment in 2022 after being found with vaporizer cartridges that contained less than a gram of hash oil. She was sentenced to nine years in prison, but the U.S. negotiated her release later that year in a prisoner swap.
Griner, 33, has since returned to her career with the Mercury.
Improved Relationship
With all that Griner has accomplished at Baylor and her post-college career, it has been curious why it has taken so long to have her jersey retired. Griner’s relationship with Baylor had been strained for years, but she did complete her Bachelor’s degree in education at Baylor in 2019
She played under former coach Kim Mulkey, who has since moved on to LSU. It’s uncertain whether or not Mulkey will attend the jersey retirement ceremony in Waco.
“We are excited to welcome Brittney back to Baylor and share this special day with her,” Baylor Vice President and Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades said. “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.”
