Athletic powerhouse Brittney Griner, a three-time Olympic participant, aspires to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games.
Firing Up the Court: Brittney Griner's Determination
with the Atlanta Dream sets her Olympic sights on LA
As the Atlanta Dream's fresh face, Brittney Griner, prepares to make her debut against the Washington Mystics this Friday, there's more at stake than just notching up points with her new crew. Beyond dominating the court with the Dream, Griner, a three-time Olympian, aims to reclaim her spot on the Olympic roster for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Griner, a gold medalist in three consecutive Olympics, is set on marking the 2028 Games as her hometown Olympics, with a parental Olympics debut to match. In an interview with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Griner revealed, "I'm gonna strive for it."
"It's a goal of mine," Griner shared. "It hasn't been in the U.S. for a while now, so I think to be able to play at the Olympics in your home country would be amazing. My parents have never been to the Olympics. So I'm going to strive for it and try to do what I need to do so I can get that call-up or at least be at the camp and help out the ones that will go, whatever it's going to be."
Griner's Transition to a New System
After 9 years with the iconic Phoenix Mercury, Griner's move to the Dream took many by surprise. However, she explained how Phoenix informed her of their directional shift, setting the stage for her new chapter in Atlanta, where she's currently playing in a five-out system under head coach Karl Smesko.
Atlanta Dream's Breakthrough Moments
Catch highlights like Te-Hina Paopao's first WNBA basket, Griner's resurgence with the Dream, farewell messages from Rhyne Howard, and vital roster decisions regarding former first-round picks to follow the Dream's journey.
"It's definitely different," Griner admitted. "We're playing five-out. I'm learning how to move better out on the perimeter, where my spots are on the perimeter, instead of just being down low. Me and Brionna [Jones] are complementing each other really well. I thoroughly enjoy playing with Bri. A lot of people thought two bigs are not going to work. But they're going to have to figure out how to guard us, and it is actually working really good."
Despite her impressive numbers at 34, Griner is mindful of maintaining her performance and avoiding declines. "As long as I can put up numbers and I can help my team out," Griner stated, "I want to play. When I can't do that, or we have to hide me in the corner or put me on the easiest matchup, I will walk away. I don't want to be a liability on the court, and there's too many good players coming along too. I'm not going to sit there and just hold on to a spot because I just can't let go."
With the Dream aiming for improvement from a 15-25 record, Griner's addition is sure to fuel their drive towards success.
In the midst of her transition to the Atlanta Dream, Brittney Griner is not only focusing on her performance in the WNBA playoffs but also her aim to be drafted back into the Olympic team for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. With her impressive numbers at 34, Griner aspires to maintain her performance and avoid declines, ensuring she remains an asset to the team rather than a liability.
