Editor’s Note: To close out the year, we are recognizing our best stories of 2022. This is the sixth in that series, originally published on Aug. 5. The other stories feature the NWSL’s journey to a historic CBA, Naomi Girma’s rise to stardom, the Indiana Fever’s new era, the rebirth of Indiana basketball and Kelsey Plum’s untold story.
Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for 169 days. On the 168th day, the WNBA star was convicted of drug smuggling charges by a Russian court and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony.
Many from throughout the world of sports have been vocal about her wrongful detention — including WNBA players as well as many coaches. One notable figure, though, has remained silent.
LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, who coached Griner at Baylor, has not issued a public statement on her former player’s plight. During Griner’s time at Baylor from 2009-13, she helped the team to an undefeated season and a national championship, one of three Mulkey won during her 21-season tenure at the school.
Just Women’s Sports reached out to the LSU athletic department Thursday for comment from Mulkey on Griner’s conviction, but no statement was provided as of Friday. An athletic department…
