Mercury re-sign Brittney Griner to reported 1-year deal
The Phoenix Mercury re-signed Brittney Griner, the franchise announced Tuesday.
"It's a great day for all of us to announce that Brittney Griner has officially signed to play for the Mercury in 2023," Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said in a statement. "We missed BG every day that she was gone and, while basketball was not our primary concern, her presence on the floor, in our locker room, around our organization, and within our community was greatly missed.
"We will continue to use the resources of our organization to support her, on and off the floor, and we are thrilled for her that she gets to return to basketball, which she loves so dearly. This is a special signing and today is a special day for all of us."
The Mercury signed Griner to a one-year, $165,100 deal, sources told Josh Weinfuss and M.A. Voepel of ESPN.
Griner missed the whole 2022 campaign while being detained in Russia for 10 months. The 32-year-old was arrested in Moscow last February for carrying vape canisters with cannabis oil.
Shortly after Griner returned to the United States, the eight-time All-Star announced her intention to play in the WNBA next season for the Mercury.
Griner has spent her entire nine-year career in Phoenix after being drafted No. 1 overall by the club in 2013. She's earned six All-WNBA selections, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a league championship during her time in the desert.
Griner averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 boards, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks over 30 appearances during the 2021 campaign.
The Mercury also inked franchise icon Diana Taurasi to a new multi-year deal last week.