Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner shares how Unrivaled will 'challenge' her game
The Mercury center, who plays for Phantom BC, said playing in Unrivaled will help the evolution of her outside game.
PHOENIX — Playing during the WNBA offseason for the first time since her 2022 Russian detainment, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner is looking forward to how playing in Unrivaled will help the evolution of her outside game.
An 11-year WNBA veteran, Griner did not attempt a 3-pointer during the first five seasons of her pro career. During the next five seasons, she shot a combined 7-for-26 (26.9%) clip from three before improving to a 9-for-18 (50%) mark during the 2024 season.
“It's going to challenge me to play a little bit differently,” Griner said. “I've been trying to evolve my game anyway, and playing not just on the low post always, stretching out, playing on the wing a little bit. So I mean, I'm really looking forward to showcasing that and being challenged as well, and then I'll be in the best shape ever coming back.”
Griner averaged 17.8 points and 6.6 rebounds last season for the Mercury and shot a career-high and league-best 57.9% from the field.
Even though Unrivaled games will be played on a court that is 70 feet long by 50 feet wide (as opposed to a 94-foot long WNBA court), Griner said she is not worried about the formation of bad habits when going back to the Mercury as a result from playing on the smaller court.
“If you got bad habits, they're going to get exposed,” Griner said. “I think this is going to honestly make us locked in more, be a little bit more sharper.
“Everyone here is a professional. They're not going to let bad habits just set in. So, I don't think that's going to be an issue.”
On Phantom BC, Griner will also be playing alongside Mercury teammate Natasha Cloud.
“I was super excited when I found out Tash was going to be on the team,” Griner said. “We already have a good bond together. She brings a lot of energy. She's always going to make sure we're uplifted, and then everything that she does on the court as well. So I mean, I was super excited about having Tash.”
The Unrivaled season begins on Friday, Jan. 17. Phantom’s first game is against the Laces on Saturday, Jan. 18 at noon MST on truTV.