The 6′ 9″ Brittney Griner started her basketball career in Texas with the Baylor Lady Bears. From 2009 to 2013, she dominated the college scene, setting numerous records, leading her team to a National Championship in 2012, and winning the NCAAFinal Four Most Outstanding Player of that Year award.
She was a muted version of herself back then despite all of her triumphs with the Bears, as per an unspoken code that all Bears players had to follow.Kim Mulkey, the current LSU head coach, was coaching the Baylor s at the time and counseled the players to keep their homosexuality a secret since it may hurt the basketball program and their chances of being recruited.
Brittney Griner recalls being mentally weary while playing for the Baylor Lady Bears
She couldn’t open up because of the hypocrisy that occurred behind closed doors, despite the fact that everyone who knew the record shot blocker knew she was homosexual. Griner discussed how difficult it was for her to conceal her true identity while playing for the Bears in an exclusive interview with ESPN after she was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA draft.
Kim Mulkey was asked to share her thoughts on Brittney Griner, who played for Mulkey from 2009-2013.
She declined to comment.
@bubbaprog pic.twitter.com/pOrjF7at8z
The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 26, 2022
She said, “I’m completely content.” I couldn’t be all the way out when I was at Baylor, therefore I couldn’t be completely happy. I am a powerful, black lesbian lady, and stating that makes me feel so amazing. Every time I say it, I instantly feel better.
She also mentioned to the interviewer how honest Mulkey found her to be during the hiring process.When Coach Mulkey was recruiting me, I told her. I said, “I’m gay.” Griner remarked, “I hope it’s not an issue, and she assured me that it wasn’t. My teammates knew, of course they all knew, I mean. Everyone was aware of it.
Mulky was recently asked about Griner’s incarceration in Russia, but she chose not to comment. Her supporters took offense to this and went ballistic in the media.One of her admirers wrote that she was a player who helped build Baylor, winning two national championships and going 40-0.On the other side, her prior coach is silent and doesn’t offer any kind of encouragement. Think about it while you choose your schools.
Griner is in a good place right now. She is prepared to return to the court and perform her masterclass for her fans after having a significant vacation from the sport and spending time with her wife upon her return from Russia.
Reminder that Kim Mulkey told Brittany Griner to stay in the closet and also refused to defend her when she was imprisoned
B.W. Carlin (@BaileyCarlin) April 2, 2023
She is an inspiration to many in the league and wants to see players valued for who they are and evaluated only on their abilities and character both on and off the court.
