Griner is back with Team USA for an exhibition game.

The crowd erupted with cheers and applause on Nov. 5th when Brittney Griner was announced as a starter for the U.S. Women's National Team in an exhibition match against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers. Coach Kellie Harper shared, “I was told there were people who came out specifically to watch her play and to show their support for all she’s been through in the last year.”

It had been nearly a year since Griner had worn the iconic “USA” jersey. Her last appearance with the Olympic team was in August 2021, where she won her second gold medal. Prior to the game, Griner had been arrested for possession of cannabis oil while traveling in Moscow, Russia.

Griner’s Phoenix Mercury teammate, Diana Taurasi, spoke highly of the athlete, saying, “She’s doing her best to show her appreciation for her country, both on and off the court.”

The U.S. team ultimately won the game 95-59, with Griner scoring her first shot within five minutes of the game. She also added three rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes. Following the victory, Griner was not available to speak with reporters.

However, prior to the game, Griner had expressed her desire to once again represent her country. She said, “My dad was in the military for 30 years, so being able to represent my country means a lot. Before I found basketball, I actually wanted to join the military, so this is my way of still representing the U.S.”

U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve was also thrilled to have Griner back on the team. She said, “You could really tell how excited she was to be here. She just looked so joyful.”

The U.S. team is currently in the process of evaluating players in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Training camp will begin in Atlanta on Nov. 7 and there will be another exhibition at Duke on Nov. 12. If they win, the U.S. team will have a record 8th consecutive gold medal.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]