ARLINGTON, Texas — The warm welcome back that Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner received in her home state of Texas on Wednesday night came with something else — a pledge from Baylor women’s basketball coach Nicki Collen that Griner’s jersey at some point will be retired at her alma mater.
“That’s the goal,” Collen said. “We’re opening a new arena. There’s no doubt that I want to see her jersey in the rafters.” Foster Pavilion, which is scheduled to open in January 2024, will replace Ferrell Center as home of the Baylor men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Griner and the Mercury fell 84-79 to the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night at College Park Center, just 97 miles from Waco, Texas, where she starred at Baylor from 2009 to 2013. Griner, who had 24 points, was frustrated by a loss that dropped the Mercury to 1-4, but it didn’t diminish how much she enjoyed being home and playing in front of the current Baylor women’s team, among others.
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