After nearly ten months, WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released by Russia in a prisoner swap with arms dealer Viktor Bout.

WNBA Star Brittney Griner Released From Russian Prison

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The Indiana Fever win the 22nd annual WNBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm and earn the top pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

Full Drawing: WNBA Draft Lottery 2023 Presented By State Farm

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People can disagree with me being vocal about the TC situation, but it just doesn’t sit well with me. Make it make sense, you abruptly want to “divorce” your contact and go play for the team you initially thought you would sign with. Why sign with Mercury to begin with when all along she wanted to play for the Storm? Now the Mercury organization has to buyout her contract because she didn’t want to fulfill her obligations to the terms in which she agreed upon.

I’m going to flat out say it, she thought the Mercury organization was going to center their offense around her (especially with the absence of BG) and run most of the plays through her. She wasn’t happy in the offense because she wanted more shots, but she is averaging 17.3 ppg and 15 shot attempts? That is selfish and not sportsmanlike. Every player – for every team in the W – has to work their tails off to get their shine, so why should she be entitled? Again, if that’s the case then why sign with the Mercury in the first place?

People think I am just going in bashing her, but the situation just doesn’t sit well with me. True, teams/players have the right to part ways. I just find it odd that she left in the middle of the season to sign with a team she initially had interest in. That is not cool for any player to do, rather it’s the NBA or WNBA. That is cop out and a weak move. It’s cool though, I’m done with this conversation. As a divorce goes, both parties move on. I wish her well in Seattle.

*Side note: isn’t she the same player that stated she wanted to play for the Mercury because she didn’t have to carry the load of a team offensively? Her move is contradictory. Not to mention, if the Mercury were to have BG back in the lineup, she would probably still be averaging around 15 shot attempts a game… but she wants more shot attempts? That is selfish and not being a team player. Skylar, DT, BG (despite her absence) and the rest of the players take their shots according to the offense. Even when the Mercury had Candice Dupree, Penny, DB, DT, Cappie, etc… they were never a team to center all their shot attempts through one player (despite Cappie and DT getting most of the attempts) but they made it work for them as collective. That is what being a part of a TEAM means… you sacrifice the ME in exchange for WE. ~Cory Davis~

Playing in the WNBA is a “job” for these players. People are allowed to quit a job and take another one that fits them better. Athletes have a short shelf life and need to put their overall well being first. It is not really a divorce, it’s a job change. Since none of us have walked in her shoes we really don’t know what motivated her decision. ~Katherine Shafer~

I’m a Seattle girl and I’m worried she’s going to bring that selfish attitude and ruin our chemistry. ~Kim Stradline

It’s all good! The players move around all the time looking for the fit, good they have that choice. Best wishes for T C. ~Debra O’Steen~

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If Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles are starters, I really don’t understand how Diana Taurasi is not. Last time I checked, it was DT who had Phoenix in the Finals last year, not Seattle or Minnesota. I also don’t get how Courtney Vandersloot leads the league in assists every year including this one, win a title last year with the stats to prove she’s been better than any other PG especially Sue, and not be voted a starter. I’m sure Diana and Courtney will both be reserves but that puts great players like Chelsea Gray and Natasha Cloud at risk of not making a team. ~Eric Edwards~

AT&T WNBA All-Star 2022 Starter Pool

Candace Parker, Sky (7th All-Star selection): A two-time Kia WNBA MVP and two-time WNBA champion, Parker is the only player in WNBA history to win MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season (2008). The MVP of the 2013 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, who is averaging 12.7 points per game and 8.1 rebounds, will play in front of her hometown Chicago crowd.

Sue Bird, Storm (13th All-Star selection): Bird, who announced that she will retire following the 2022 WNBA season, has been selected to more AT&T WNBA All-Star Games than any player in league history. Only Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi, each of whom was selected 10 times, have earned double-digit selections. Bird is the league’s career leader in assists (3,122) and games played (561).

Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty (1st All-Star selection): Ionescu, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2020 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm makes her All-Star debut. She leads the Liberty in scoring and assists with career-best figures of 16.7 ppg and 6.1 apg. On June 12, Ionescu became the youngest player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in a career.

Jonquel Jones, Sun (4th All-Star selection): The reigning Kia WNBA MVP and winner of the 2018 Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year and 2017 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player award, Jones will play in the All-Star Game for the fourth time. Jones is pacing the Sun with 15.1 points per game and ranks third in the league with 9.4 rebounds per game.

Sylvia Fowles, Lynx (8th All-Star selection): The WNBA’s career leader in total rebounds (3,835), defensive rebounds (2,743), and field goal percentage (.598), Fowles has announced that 2022 will be her final season. The 2017 Kia WNBA MVP and two-time Finals MVP is averaging 16.5 points per game and a league-leading 10.3 rebounds per game.

Breanna Stewart, Storm (4th All-Star selection): The 2018 Kia WNBA MVP, a two-time WNBA Finals MVP and a three-time league champion, Stewart is leading the WNBA in scoring with a career-high tying 21.8 points per game and contributing 7.6 rebounds per game.

Nneka Ogwumike, Sparks (7th All-Star selection): Ogwumike, the 2016 Kia WNBA MVP and champion, also is a three-time winner of the WNBA’s Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. Ogwumike leads the Sparks in scoring (18.1 points per game) and rebounding (7.7 rebounds per game).

Jackie Young, Aces (1st All-Star selection): The first overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, Young is one of eight No. 1 overall picks selected as starters, along with Bird (2002), Parker (2008), Ogwumike (2012), Stewart (2016), Plum (2017), Wilson (2018), and Ionescu (2020). Young is averaging a career-best 18.2 points per game. Young is averaging a career-best 18.2 points per game and contributing 4.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

Kelsey Plum, Aces (1st All-Star selection): Plum, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2017 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm and the Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year in 2021, makes her All-Star debut. Her career-high and team-leading 20.3 points per game have helped the Aces generate the league’s No. 1-scoring offense (91.5).

A‘ja Wilson, Aces (4th All-Star selection): The 2020 Kia WNBA MVP and 2018 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year is playing in her fourth consecutive AT&T WNBA All-Star Game. She previously served as an All-Star captain when Team Wilson defeated Team Delle Donne in the 2019 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game. Wilson is averaging 18.4 points per game and ranks second in the league at 9.6 rebounds per game.

WNBA Fans Upset Diana Taurasi is not an All Star Game Starter

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