Fans of the Tennessee Lady Vols never forget where someone played college, especially not a player that beat their beloved team.
On Sunday night, they roared when Brittney Griner was introduced as a starter for the U.S. women’s national team before an exhibition.
“I actually talked to people that said they were coming specifically to see her and to watch her play,” Tennessee coach Kellie Harper said. “And they had become fans throughout her challenges in the last year or so, and I was really happy for that team to feel that from our fans.”
The only other player to come close to a similar ovation was five-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi despite her playing in college at UConn — the biggest rival for the No. 11 Lady Vols.
Sunday night marked Griner’s first time playing a game with “USA” on the front of her jersey since celebrating winning her second Olympic gold medal in August 2021 at the Tokyo Games.
The reception Griner would receive in a state led by a Republican governor with the GOP holding a super majority in the state legislature was a concern before tipoff.
Griner was arrested in February 2022 at a Moscow airport when customs officials said they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage. She was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison in August before being released in December as part of a prisoner exchange.
Taurasi said she believes everyone supports an American returning home regardless of political party. Taurasi also has seen her WNBA teammate with the Phoenix Mercury working to show her appreciation of what was done to get her home by putting on her country’s jersey.
“And I think she’s trying to repay it every single day by being on the court and the stuff she’s doing off the court,” Taurasi said. “That’s a huge burden and she’s willing to carry that.”
If anyone booed Sunday night, cheers easily drowned them out matching Griner’s enthusiasm at representing her country once again.
Griner…
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