Baylor to Retire Brittney Griner’s No. 42 Jersey

WNBA star Brittney Griner will have her jersey retired by Baylor University next month when the Bears host Texas Tech in a Feb. 18 clash at the Foster Pavilion.

Griner wore the No. 42 jersey in 148 games across four seasons for Baylor, including the team’s undefeated, 40-0, national championship campaign in 2011-12. She’ll be honored by the school against one of its rivals next month, a tribute to her incredible tenure with the program.

Griner was highly decorated during her time in college, including winning two Wooden Awards as well as two Naismith Awards. She averaged 22.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and an incredible 5.1 blocks per game during her time at Baylor, which spanned from 2009-13. 

“I’m honored to return home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey started,” said Griner in a statement on Monday, via ESPN. “I’m grateful to Coach Nicki [Collen] and the entire Baylor community and am looking forward to the opportunity to be back on campus, spend time with the team and have my family beside me to share in this incredible moment. Sic ‘em Bears.”

Griner was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury, where she has played 10 seasons and made eight All-Star appearances. She returned to Baylor to earn a degree in education in 2019. 

The 33-year-old becomes the seventh player in program history to have their jersey retired by school.