Brittney Griner, who was one of the most dominant women’s college basketball players in history, revealed that she was an out lesbian in interviews before and after the WNBA draft on Tuesday.
Sports Illustrated’s Maggie Gray asked Griner, the Baylor Lady Bears superstar who was the first overall pick in Tuesday’s WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury, about why gay female athletes were more comfortable coming out than male athletes.
“I really couldn’t give an answer on why that’s so different. Being one that’s out, it’s just being who you are. Again, like I said, just be who you are,” Griner said. “Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but, if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don’t hide who you really are.”
Gray then asked Griner how difficult it was for her to make the decision to come out.
“It really wasn’t too difficult, I wouldn’t say I was hiding or anything like that,” Griner said. “I’ve always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn’t hard at all. If I can show that I’m out and I’m fine and everything’s OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way.”
Griner also revealed her sexual orientation in a pre-draft interview with USA Today on Monday.
Griner changed the way women’s college basketball was played. She had 18 career dunks, which is more than all the dunks in the history of women’s college basketball, and forced opponents to change nearly all of their shots in the lane. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, to mixed reactions, has even suggested possibly giving her a tryout with the Mavericks.
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