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In her first eleven years in the WNBA, Brittney Griner had made a home out of her fans in the Valley.
But not only was moving on from the Phoenix Mercury an emotional hurdle, but moving into the next step after a short one-year stay in Atlanta was another big question mark.
If you were to ask the 6-ft-9 center, however, her landing in the freezing land of Connecticut has a deeper meaning.
Ill throw it out there.
No one really wants to go to Connecticut, she revealed on Sue Birds podcast yesterday while talking about what led her to join the Sun franchise.
But I wasnt looking at it like where I would be.
I was looking at the opportunity what Id be able to do being with a younger team, being a vet.
Theyre moving to Houston.
I havent played in Houston in forever, thats appeasing to me.
I wanted to go somewhere, and I was like, instead of waiting till trying to get there once they get to Houston, I was like, Well shoot, Ill go and put in the work and do the grind and learn the system, learn the people.
So thats how I ended up here.
With the Dream, Griner struggled to find her footing.
Her usage reduced over the last season as she put up only 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20.8 minutes on the floor all career lows.
But when the Sun came calling, Griner saw an opportunity to take on a fresh challenge and step into a leadership role with one of the leagues youngest teams.
But whats interesting is that despite being one of the basketball states in the US, housing the UConn Huskies, the biggest name in womens NCAA basketball, Connecticut is not that appealing to many.
UConn head coaches have said as much that the players going there go for only one reason: to play basketball.
But moving from a thriving city of Phoenix to Uncasville wasnt the biggest hurdle for Griner.
The biggest adjustment for me is stepping into that veteran role, just being so vocal, she said back in May.
Im just used to just talking on the side, you know, with players and not demanding the floor and speaking.
However, Griner wasnt just thinking about Connecticuts present; she was also thinking about its future.
Apr 29, 2026; Toronto, ON, Canada; Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner (42) looks on against the Toronto Tempo during the second half at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images The ongoing season will be the Suns final year in New England.
They are all set to relocate to Houston in 2027 after the Houston Rockets owner, Tilman Fertitta, purchased the team for $300 million.
So once the move becomes official, the franchise will revive the legendary Houston Comets name, bringing back one of the most iconic teams in WNBA history.
And for Brittney Griner, that part mattered the most.
The franchises move to Texas represents something close to a homecoming for her.
She was born and raised in Houston before building her college legacy at Baylor.
So while the chance to mentor a young roster appealed to her, the opportunity to eventually play closer to home only made the decision easier.
After all, she will be close to her family now.
Then throw in a lucrative seven-figure contract and the opportunity to help relaunch one of the most successful franchises in league history, and its easy to see why she moved again.
Still, for now, Brittney Griners focus remains on the present.
She is currently averaging 11.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while once again playing a larger role on the court.
Though the Sun is enduring a difficult season with just two wins through their first 17 games, the veteran centers priority remains helping Connecticut turn things around before the franchise begins its next chapter in Houston.
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Open as Pace of Play Becomes an Issue The post No One Really Wants To Go to Connecticut: Brittney Griner Makes Feelings Clear on Joining the Sun in Free Agency appeared first on EssentiallySports .
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