'Emotional' Brittney Griner opens up on Diana Taurasi's impact on her life: "Credit a lot of my everything to her"

By Sahir Bhojwani

Modified Jul 28, 2024 11:14 GMT

WNBA star Brittney Griner has paid tribute to her teammate Diana Taurasi for the massive impact she has made on her career. Griner opened up on the influence Taurasi has had on her life on and off the court.

The two WNBA All-Stars share a special relationship. Griner and Taurasi have played alongside each other for over a decade with the Phoenix Mercury. They won a WNBA championship together in 2014 and have played together at the Olympics in 2016 and 2020. The are set to once again feature at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The USA Women's team is in France preparing for the tournament and Brittney Griner spoke about the emotions that she will encounter when she takes to court one more time with Diana Taurasi.

"I think I will be more emotional for that honestly. Basically my whole career has been with D. Oversees, USA, Phoenix, she's taught me everything. I mean I credit a lot of my everything to her," said Griner

"Just being able to share this court with her for another Olympics is very special to me," added Griner

Diana Taurasi is recognized as the veteran of this group. She commands a great deal of respect among her peers and will be called on to lead Team USA as they go in search of a eighth consecutive gold medal.

USA will begin their championship defense against Japan on July 29 followed by games against Belgium and Germany in the group stage.

Team USA fully behind Brittney Griner after difficult few years

Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner in the skills challenge during the WNBA All-Star Skills Night at Footprint Center. Source: Imagn

Diana Taurasi and all the players on Team USA have supported Brittney Griner during a difficult phase of her life. Griner was arrested in Russia in 2022 when she was reportedly found with cannabis vape cartirdges at a Moscow airport. The Texas native spent 10 months in a Russian prison before finally returning to the United States in December 2022.

Per a recent piece from Andscape, Seattle Storm's guard Jewell Loyd had some encouraging words for Griner, who she referred to as "big sis."

"She knows that we always have her back. We always will. And regardless of what happens [in the Olympics], we want to make sure that we have everyone’s back...It means a lot. And she has been a big sis for so many years," said Loyd.

Griner is set to play outside the United States for the first time since returning from Russia.

There is a nine-year gap between Taurasi and Griner. At 42 years old, this will likely be Taurasi's last Olympic Games. Going forward, it might be Griner who shall be called on to lead Team USA on the international stage.