WNBA commissioner on league plan to honor Griner: 'We are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do'

The Women's National Basketball League (WNBA) announced on Monday (May 2) that its Board of Governors moved to honor Phoenix Mercury center and Nimitz High School alumna Brittney Griner, who is currently detained in Russia on alleged drug charges, according to a press release.

The league said that its 12 clubs will display a decal bearing Griner's initials and No. 42 on the sideline of their respective courts during the 2022 season. The upcoming campaign is slated to begin on Friday (May 6).

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in the release that the 31-year-old Griner, who went No. 1 in the 2013 draft after leading Baylor to a national championship, remains a top priority.

“As we begin the 2022 season, we are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community,” Engelbert said. “We continue to work on bringing Brittney home and are appreciative of the support the community has shown BG and her family during this extraordinarily challenging time.”

The release said that the board also elected to pay Griner her full salary and grant the Mercury roster and salary cap relief in her absence.

Phoenix takes on the Las Vegas Aces at home to start the 2022 season.

The league added that it'll mark its opening weekend with philanthropic initiatives honoring Griner based on her work in the Phoenix community.

“In conjunction with the league, the other 11 teams, and those closest to BG, we will work to keep her top-of-mind as we tip the 2022 season,” Mercury Executive Vice President and General Manager Jim Pitman said in the release. “While we await her return, our main concern remains for her safety and well-being."

Griner was in Russia where she played professionally during the WNBA's offseason to supplement her income.

Authorities at a Moscow airport earlier this year discovered hashish oil in her luggage and subsequently detained her.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that Griner during the 2021 season led the WNBA in scoring and helped guide the Mercury to a runner-up finish in the league finals, according to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU.