Brittney Griner Will Return To US Team In Next Exhibition Games
In November, Griner will be a member of the squad that knocks against Duke and Tennessee.
With her first Team USA appearance since the Tokyo Olympics, Brittney Griner is about to return.
The 16-player group that will take part in a training camp and several exhibition games early next month includes Griner.
Among the roster’s notable aspirants for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are a mix of known stars and up-and-coming athletes.
Players will have a great chance to display their talents at this tournament because the final 12-woman squad for the Paris Olympics is anticipated to be revealed in the spring.
In more than three years, Brittney Griner has not participated in Team USA.
In the Tokyo Olympic final, Brittney Griner played for the national team for the first time and created history by scoring 30 points, which was the second-highest individual total in American women’s Olympic basketball history.
Her outstanding play was a part of the USA’s historic 90-75 victory against Japan. After the Olympics, though, Griner had an extremely difficult time.
While returning to her Russian club unit in February 2022, she was detained in Russia on suspicion of drug offenses. Afterward, she was found guilty and given a nine-year prison term in Russia.
Team USA won the global championship last year and qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where they hope to capture an eighth straight Olympic gold medal, despite her absence and that of other seasoned stars.
Before the WNBA season began in April, Griner made a statement: “Unless I’m playing for my country at the Olympics, I’m never going internationally to play again.”
The 33-year-old Griner has rejoined the Phoenix Mercury, her WNBA squad, for the current campaign. Averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, she participated in 31 of the 40 games.
For exhibition games, Team USA will field two rosters.
There have been more interesting developments for USA Basketball besides Griner’s comeback. Leading the Women’s National Team in the two exhibition games in November will be five-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi.
They will travel to Knoxville to play the Tennessee Lady Vols on November 5 and then play Duke on November 12.
As the American women strive to win an Olympic gold medal for the eighth time in a row at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, they will have a training camp in Atlanta from November 7–9.
It’s noteworthy that a few players had difficulties before the shows. Chelsea Grey is healing from a foot ailment; Breanna Stewart is expecting her second child; and A’ja Wilson is recuperating from an injury.
Talented players like Arike Ogunbowale, Dearica Hamby, Natasha Howard, and Aliyah Boston make up the rest of the lineup.
The Minnesota Lynx‘s Cheryl Reeve, an accomplished coach, will be in charge of both training camp and games. Mike Thibault of the Mystics and Curt Miller of the Sparks, who are assistant coaches, stand beside her.
Complete starting lineup vs Tennessee
Ariel Atkins, Aliyah Boston, Kahleah Copper, Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney, Azurá Stevens, Diana Taurasi, and Jackie Young
Complete starting lineup vs Duke
Kaleah Copper, Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Dearica Hamby, Natasha Howard, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Arike Ogunbowale, Kelsey Plym, Azurá Stevens, and Diana Taurasi
