LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey says she hasn’t spoken to Brittney Griner since Griner was released from a Russian prison and returned to the United States.
However, Mulkey had a message for her former Baylor Bears players.
“I’m glad she’s back,” Mulkey said during her Final Four press conference Thursday, according to The Associated Press. “I’m glad she’s safe, she’s healthy. I think everyone is.”
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Baylor’s head coaches Kim Mulkey and Brittney Griner speak to the press during the women’s Big 12 basketball media day at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, October 25, 2012. (Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Not only was Griner teased for her connection to Baylor, but Mulkey shared no words of support for the WNBA star when she was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for drug offenses.
Mulkey was asked about the Griner situation last fall, with a reporter pointing out that the media had not yet heard her comment on the matter.
“And you won’t,” Mulkey said at the time.
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Griner was eventually released from Russia following a prisoner swap, and Mulkey then issued a statement via ESPN saying she was relieved she was returning home.
“God is good. Prayer is powerful,” Mulkey said. “Brittney is on her way home where she belongs. Our prayers remain with her and her family as they recover and heal together.”
Head coach Kim Mulkey of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts during the first half against the Utah Utes in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 24, 2023 in Greenville, SC (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Mulkey spent 21 years as Baylor’s head coach, beginning with the 2000–01 season. Griner arrived in 2009-10 and the 6-foot-8 center quickly made the Bears an impressive roster with 18.4 points per game in their freshman season.
During their 2011-12 junior year, Baylor perfectly won the national championship 40-0, becoming the first team to ever achieve the feat. Griner averaged 23.2 points and 9.5 rebounds that year.
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Griner was drafted first overall by Phoenix Mercury in 2013 after her senior season, but after leaving Baylor she was critical of Mulkey.
Griner claimed that Mulkey made her keep her sexual orientation a secret while with the Bears because it could hurt the school’s recruitment of new talent.
Head coach Kim Mulkey of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Miami Hurricanes in the Elite Eight Round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 26, 2023 in Greenville, SC (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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As Mulkey prepares for Friday night’s LSU Final Four against Virginia Tech, Griner continues to plan her return to the WNBA.
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