Stanford WBB shows support for Brittney Griner with jersey patches

The Stanford women’s basketball team wore “We Are BG” patches on their uniforms for their nationally televised matchup with No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday.

Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer said earlier this season the team ordered the patches to show their support for Brittney Griner, who was moved to a penal colony east of Moscow last week.

Today, and every day, it’s bigger than basketball.#GoStanford x #WeAreBG pic.twitter.com/NFHPL4jTQc

— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) November 20, 2022

VanDerveer and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, as influential voices in women’s hoops as anyone, wore matching Griner shirts with multiple photo of the Phoenix Mercury All-Star printed on.

Women’s Basketball Love. 🏀❤️#NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/CUxdgo4i8A

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) November 20, 2022

According to ESPN’s M.A. Voepel, the shirts said, “Dear BG: We love you and are fighting for you. Millions of us are uplifting your name every chance we get, and we won’t stop until you are home. We hope our love and support reaches you and ultimately sets you free,” on the back.

Staley coached Griner with Team USA and has worn Griner shirts multiple times this season.

Maples Pavilion, where Stanford plays its home games, went a step further.

The arena set up a letter writing station for fans to write notes to send to Griner.

Letter writing station for Brittney Griner set up at @StanfordWBB’s Maples Pavilion before today’s game. @dawnstaley and @taras_tweets will be wearing BG shirts for game; same shirts will be for sale on-line. pic.twitter.com/zhDu0LTDQv

— M.A. Voepel (@MAVoepel) November 20, 2022

Maples Pavilion held a moment of silence for Griner before the opening tip.

She was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges in Russia in August. The U.S. State Department said Russia has not seriously engaged in negotiations for Griner, according to ESPN’s T.J. Quinn.

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