Brittney Griner is adding another accolade to her resume … the Phoenix Mercury star has just won AP Comeback Player of the Year honors — some nine months after she returned to the United States from Russian detainment.
The Mercury announced the award on Tuesday … revealing the 6-foot-9 center would share the hardware with Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, who came back to Minnesota this season after sitting out last year to give birth to her first child.
As we reported, Griner was arrested in February 2022 after Russian authorities said she had hash oil in her luggage at an airport. She was eventually sentenced to nine years in prison in the case, though she was set free following a prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout.
A couple months after she landed back on U.S. soil — she signed a one-year deal with the Mercury — and she shined in her return to the hardwood … averaging 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
The season wasn’t without its lows, however … she did battle injuries, and she took a few games off for a mental health break. She also infamously had a run-in with a troll at an airport.
An emotional Brittney Griner reflects on the end of the season and the past year. pic.twitter.com/MRSPwJLn1W
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) September 11, 2023
@MarkMcClune
But, she was selected to her ninth WNBA All-Star team regardless … and last week, when reflecting on the season, she told media members, “I tell you one thing, it’s not good being at the end of the standings but it’s better than where I was a year go, that’s for sure.”
Earlier Tuesday, Breanna Stewart took home AP Player Of The Year honors … while Aces star Alysha Clark won Sixth Woman of the Year. Sun honcho Stephanie White won Coach of the Year … and 2023 first overall pick Aliyah Boston won Rookie of the Year.
The AP awards are separate from the WNBA’s. Those accolades are slated to be announced during the org.’s postseason, which starts on Wednesday.