In a heartfelt tribute that had the WNBA world reaching for tissues, Brittney Griner opened up about the monumental influence teammate Diana Taurasi has had on her life. The Phoenix Mercury stars have been through thick and thin together, from clinching the WNBA championship in 2014 to representing the U.S. at the Olympics. As they gear up for what could be Taurasi’s swan song at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Griner couldn’t help but gush over her mentor.
With a decade of shared court time under their belts, Griner credits Taurasi for being the Obi-Wan to her Luke Skywalker. “Basically, my whole career has been with D. Overseas, USA, Phoenix—she’s taught me everything,” Griner shared, making it clear that Taurasi isn’t just a teammate; she’s the Gandalf guiding her through the labyrinth of professional basketball.
The pair’s relationship transcends mere camaraderie; it’s a saga of mentorship, with Taurasi imparting her wisdom not just on the court but off it as well. As Griner reflected, “I mean, I credit a lot of my everything to her,” one could almost hear the collective “aww” from fans worldwide. This heartfelt confession comes just as the USA Women’s team, in the midst of their Olympic preparations in France, readies to defend their title against Japan, Belgium, and Germany.
Taurasi, often seen as the team’s Yoda, has been the backbone of the squad, earning immense respect and perhaps a few gray hairs along the way. At 42, this might be her last Olympic run, making the moment even more poignant for Griner, who seems destined to inherit the role of Team USA’s Jedi Master in the near future.
And speaking of tough times, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Griner. The star player faced a rough patch, including a high-profile arrest in Russia in 2022 for carrying cannabis vape cartridges. But if there’s one thing Team USA is good at, it’s rallying behind their own. The entire squad, including Seattle Storm’s Jewell Loyd, stood by Griner like loyal knights. Loyd, affectionately referring to Griner as “big sis,” emphasized the team’s unwavering support, saying, “Regardless of what happens [in the Olympics], we want to make sure that we have everyone’s back.”
This upcoming Olympics marks a significant milestone for Griner, as it will be her first international appearance since her return from Russia. As the curtain draws on Taurasi’s illustrious career, Griner seems poised to step into the spotlight, ready to carry the torch for Team USA. Whether she’ll don the cape of leadership as effortlessly as Taurasi remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—she’s learned from the best.
As the team prepares for the games, fans are eager to see what new magic Griner and Taurasi will conjure on the court. With Taurasi’s wisdom and Griner’s prowess, Team USA is not just aiming for another gold—they’re aiming to leave an indelible mark on the annals of basketball history.
