Griner to play in WNBA All Star Game
Fred Jeter | 7/6/2023, 6 p.m.
Brittney Griner has picked up right where she left off in 2021.
After missing the entire WNBA 2022 season while imprisoned in Russia, Griner has bounced back with a flourish.
The 6-foot-9, 32-year-old recently was named a starter for the July 15 WNBA All Star Game in Las Vegas. The ABC network with televise the 9:30 p.m. game at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
It marks Griner’s ninthAll-Star selection, the most by any active player. A year ago, she was named as an honorary All-Star.
Playing for the Phoenix Mercury, Griner was averaging 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and a league-best 2.4 block shots through games of June 24.
Those statistics compare favorably with her career totals from 2013 to 2021, all with Phoenix. Griner’s nine-season pro norms (pre-Russia ordeal) were 17.7 points, 7.6 boards and 2.8 shot blocks.
As selected by players, fans and media, other All-Star starters include rookie Aliyah Boston with Indiana.
The No. 1 overall draft pick out of South Carolina in 2022, the 6-foot-5 Boston is averaging 16 points and eight rebounds while leading the WNBA with a 65.1 shooting percentage.
Boston is the first rookie to be named a starter since Shoni Schimmel in 2014.
Other starters are:
A’Ja Wilson (Las Vegas); Breanna Stewart (New York), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas), Jewell Loyd (Seattle), Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas), Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles), Satou Sabally (Dallas) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas).
Wilson and Stewart will serve as captains.
