Coming out of college, Brittney Griner was one of the most hyped draft prospects in the history of women’s basketball. There was a good reason for this, as the 6-foot-9 center had had plenty of success in her high school and college career.
In 2009, Griner was named the nation’s No. 1 high school women’s basketball player by Rivals.com. She was also selected to the 2009 All-American basketball team. She had also worked with a football coach to develop her leg strength, in order to dunk. A YouTube video featuring her dunks was released during her junior season in high school, which received a whopping 6+ million views.
Another slam added to Brittney Griner's highlight reel 💥
Diana Taurasi with an absolute dime too 👀
🎥 @WNBA pic.twitter.com/CpjpEqSD5b
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 25, 2021
Playing college basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears, she had a breakout season during her senior year in 2012. She was named the AP Player of the Year, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, led Baylor in winning the National Championship, and won the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. Not just that, Griner also holds the record for being the only NCAA basketball player who both scored 2000 points and blocked 500 shots.
Was Brittney Griner drafted to the NBA?
So naturally, the Brittney Griner hype was real. She was eligible for the 2013 NBA and WNBA Draft. In April 2013, Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban was asked whether he would consider drafting Griner to the NBA.
He responded by saying, “If she is the best on the board, I will take her. I’ve thought about it. I’ve thought about it already. Would I do it? Right now, I’d lean toward yes, just to see if she can do it. You never know unless you give somebody a chance.”
Cuban also indicated that if at all, he wouldn’t mind picking Griner in the late 2nd round. He also mentioned that having a player like Brittney will certainly help the fan attendance during Mavs games.
“I’m not going to carry her just to carry her. I don’t think, anyways. But I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to giving her the opportunity. It would, wouldn’t it? See how she could do? That’d sell out a few games.”, Cuban said. Brittney had also expressed interest in the opportunity presented by Cuban. She tweeted, “I would hold my own! Lets do it.”
However, while Cuban’s comments made it seem like he was actually considering drafting Griner, no offer was extended to Griner to try out for the Mavericks. Several experts were quick to mention that Cuban’s comments had been nothing more than a publicity stunt.
Mark Cuban says that he would consider drafting Brittney Griner. Geno Auriemma says it would be a "sham". Thoughts? #GrinerInNBA
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) April 4, 2013
Their analysis was supported by UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, who told USA Today, “if Brittney Griner tries to make it to an NBA team, I think it would be a public relations thing and I think it would be a sham. The fact that a woman could actually play right now in the NBA and compete successfully against the level of play that they have is absolutely ludicrous.”
Brittney eventually got drafted by the Phoenix Mercury #1 overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft and went on to win a championship with them in 2014. She has also broken several WNBA records in the process. She looks to make a return to the basketball court soon, after being recently released in a prisoner exchange with Russia in December last year. She had been arrested in February 2022 on charges of drug smuggling.