Brittney Griner is turning the page on a new chapter in her storied WNBA career. The nine-time All-Star is gearing up for her 13th season, this time with the Connecticut Sun, and she's not just settling in—she's stepping up.
After a quiet stint with the Atlanta Dream following more than a decade with the Phoenix Mercury, the 35-year-old center is embracing a fresh challenge. But it's not just about changing jerseys. Griner is taking on a role she's never fully owned before: the vocal leader in the locker room.
"The biggest adjustment for me is stepping into that veteran role, just being so vocal," Griner said in a video shared by the WNBA. "I was used to just talking on the side with players and not demanding the floor and speaking. But I'm doing it, and I'm loving it, and I'm just embracing it now."
That shift hasn't come without a fire burning inside. After a 2025 season that saw her post career lows in points (9.8), rebounds (5.2), and blocks (1.4), Griner knows the whispers are out there. Some are calling her old. Some are saying it's time to hang it up. She's heard it all—and she's using it as fuel.
"I got a chip on my shoulder," Griner declared during an on-court interview after scoring 16 points in a preseason loss to the New York Liberty. "A lot of people counting me out, want to call me old, want to say I need to retire, but I'm not. I got a lot to go, and this team is bringing a lot out of me."
Griner signed a one-year deal with the Sun, a franchise that snapped an eight-year playoff streak by going 11-33 last season. The former No. 1 overall pick brings a wealth of experience to a young core featuring recent first-round picks Diamond Miller and Aaliyah Edwards. But she's not just there to mentor—she's there to compete.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year made back-to-back All-Star appearances after being released from Russian detainment, and she's determined to prove that was no fluke. Her preseason performance against the Liberty showed she still has plenty left in the tank, and she's ready to silence the doubters.
Griner's journey has been marked by resilience, both on and off the court. She recently mourned the loss of former Baylor teammate Melissa Jones, a reminder of the bonds that transcend the game. And as she looks ahead, Griner has even dropped hints about a post-playing future, but for now, her focus is squarely on the present.
The Sun open the regular season on the road against the Liberty this Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. It's a chance for Griner to show that her new role isn't just about adapting—it's about thriving.
