Brittney Griner overwhelmed with ‘joy and tears’ with first overall selection
Apr 17, 2013, 1:56 AM | Updated: 1:59 am
It came as no surprise at all that the Phoenix Mercury selected Baylor phenom Brittney Griner with the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft on Monday.
Griner may be leaving behind an illustrious college career, but she is excited for the next chapter at the professional level.
“It was just overwhelming with joy and tears and I am just very happy,” Griner told Diamondbacks radio broadcasters Greg Schulte and Tom Candiotti during the D-backs game against the Yankees in New York on Tuesday night.
Griner finished second in scoring in NCAA women’s history with 3,283 points. She also holds the all-time shot blocking record with 748 and completed her four years at Baylor with a record 18 dunks.
The Mercury center could use her imposing 6-foot-8 frame to revolutionize the WNBA.
“Anything I can do to bring to the game, bring to the Phoenix Mercury and just help out the team from dunking, to blocking shots and playing above the rim, I am just going to do it,” Griner said.
The Mercury suffered through an injury-plagued season last year, but they are certainly not a team that’s short on talent. In addition to Griner, head coach Corey Gaines has at his disposal former 2009 MVP Diana Taurasi and All-Stars Penny Taylor and Candice Dupree.
The 22-year-old two-time AP Player of the Year said she’s looking forward to getting acquainted with her new teammates and working to forge a lasting chemistry.
“[Taurasi]’s an awesome player,” Griner stated. “She’s just a floor general out there. It’s just a great team and I am looking forward to going out there and just absorbing everything I can from them.”
