Former Baylor Lady Bears basketball player Brittney Griner’s latest achievement came Wednesday when the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee, chaired by Carol Callan selected Griner to be a member of the 2016 Olympic team.
Before the Phoenix Mercury and USA Olympic team, Griner was a standout athlete at Baylor. During her time at Baylor, Griner was a three-time All-American and two-two Wade Trophy winner. Griner holds the all-time NCAA Division I career record for blocked shots at 748.
Also adding to her achievements, Griner and her team earned the 2012 NCAA title while going 40-0 on the season, and captured three Big 12 regular season and tournament titles while at Baylor.
Joining Griner on the 12-person roster are Seimone Augustus from the Minnesota Lynx, Sue Bird from the Seattle Storm, Tameka Catchings from the Indiana Fever, Tina Charles from the New York Liberty, Elena Delle Donne from the Chicago Sky, Sylvia Fowles from the Minnesota Lynx, Angel McCoughtry from the Atlanta Dream, Maya Moore from the Minnesota Lynx, Breanna Stewart from the University of Connecticut, Diana Taurasi from the Phoenix Mercury and Lindsay Whalen from the Minnesota Lynx.
“I think it’s going to be great,” Catchings said. “You look at the talent they have individually — Elena as the (WNBA) MVP, Brittney Griner [as a] rookie, Breanna Stewart coming off such an amazing collegiate career and looking at the future of what she’ll bring to USA Basketball — I’m just excited because they’re such great people.”
While the U.S. team looks to extend its Olympic gold medal streak to six, it will have to first get past Senegal to get things started on either August sixth or seventh.
University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma will be leading the Olympic team and will be assisted by Doug Bruno from DePaul, Cheryl Reeves from the Minnesota Lynx and Dawn Staley from South Carolina.
