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WNBA star Brittney Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, has announced that she will not travel with the team for their next two games against Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. The reason for her absence is to focus on her mental health, which has been affected by various challenges in her life.
Griner, who is one of the best centers in the league, has been averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game this season. She also earned her ninth All-Star selection last month, showcasing her talent and dedication to the game. However, her impressive individual performance has not translated to success for the Mercury, who have a 6-17 record and are at tenth place in the WNBA standings.
The WNBA side said in its statement,“Mercury center Brittney Griner will not travel with the team on its upcoming two-game road trip to Chicago and Indiana (July 30-August 1) to focus on her mental health. The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return.”
Griner's decision to prioritize her mental well-being comes in the wake of her highly publicized ordeal in Russia last year, where she was detained for 10 months after cannabis oil was found in her luggage at the Moscow airport.
She maintained that the cannabis oil was mistakenly packed and was eventually released in a prisoner swap facilitated by the Joe Biden administration in December. Griner's move adds her to the growing list of prominent athletes who have taken similar steps in recent years to address their mental health issues.
