Brittney Griner Stats: How did Mercury veteran star perform in 2023? Closer look as former WNBA champ, announces return

Despite facing challenges in the past, Brittney Griner made a successful comeback to the Phoenix Mercury in the 2023 season. At the age of 33, the six-foot-nine center has declared her intention to continue playing for the team, signing a contract worth $150,000 as an unrestricted free agent for the upcoming year.

Despite a record of 9-31, the Mercury’s Griner still managed to contribute impressive stats in the 2023 WNBA season. She played in 31 games and recorded averages of 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks. Despite the team’s overall performance, Griner remained a strong contributor.

In 2023, she reached a season-high of 29 points on two occasions (against the Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks). She also achieved her highest rebounding performance of 11 boards three times. Griner, known for her dominance in the paint, recorded three games with four blocks.

Ever since she was chosen as the top pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Griner has been instrumental in leading the Mercury to a WNBA championship in 2014.

Griner’s dominance in the WNBA was evident as she earned nine All-Star selections and led the league in blocks eight times. Her impressive performance in the paint also earned her back-to-back WNBA DPOY awards in 2014 and 2015. Additionally, as a former Baylor Bear, Griner also achieved the league’s top scorer title twice, in 2017 and 2019.

Brittney Griner’s experience in Russia and her return to the WNBA

In February 2022, Brittney Griner gained international attention when she was held at a Russian airport on drug-related charges. Following a 10-month detainment and imprisonment, she was eventually released and resumed playing in the WNBA.

During her detainment, Russia invaded Ukraine, which further complicated diplomatic efforts for her release. After numerous negotiations, she was eventually freed, but it came at the expense of a high-profile prisoner exchange that involved a Russian arms dealer.

“I’m no stranger to hard times,”said Griner about her detainment. “You’re going to be faced with adversities throughout your life, and this was a pretty big one. But I just kind of relied on my hard work. Getting through it. You find a way to just grind it out.”

Despite her release, Brittney Griner has remained outspoken about her distinctive journey while also staying dedicated to her WNBA contributions.

“Phoenix is home. Me and my wife literally just got a place [here]. This is it,”said Griner.

The case of Brittney Griner brought awareness to the situation of other Americans being held captive abroad, such as journalist Evan Gershkovich and US Marine Paul Whelan.