Brittney Griner Apologizes to New Sun Teammates at Practice

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 7:07 PM ET

Brittney Griner recently joined the Connecticut Sun on a one-year, $1.19 million deal. The signing is one of the biggest free-agent moves in the franchise's history. The 35-year-old center is expected to be a central figure for the Sun this season, contributing on both defense and offense. She will also provide veteran leadership for the team’s young core.

Griner, entering her 13th season, is a 10-time WNBA All-Star. She has won two Defensive Player of the Year awards and one WNBA championship. The 6-foot-9 center has led the WNBA in blocks eight times and in scoring twice. She is widely regarded as one of the league’s most dominant players.

Griner spent the first 11 years of her professional career with the Phoenix Mercury. There, she flourished and evolved into a top-tier rim protector and scoring presence. She moved to the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 season but struggled. The WNBA star posted career lows of 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42).© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reflecting on her time with the Dream, Griner said the transition was challenging. She admitted that adjusting to Atlanta took a mental toll on her, especially after spending years in Phoenix. However, she expressed confidence about her move to Connecticut. She said she feels “really good about this” and that she’s in the “right place” now.

While settling in Connecticut, the transition hasn’t been entirely without hiccups. At one point in training camp, Griner accidentally shouted “Suns” while breaking a team huddle. The slip-up was a confusing nod to the NBA's Phoenix Suns. It relates to her many years playing for the Phoenix Mercury.

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Griner immediately apologized to her new "Sun" teammates after they corrected her. She told them she was just saying “Suns” because “it’s the plural of us (players).” Griner promised, “I will not mess that up” again. And as a gesture of goodwill, added, “Dinner’s on me.”

She also later commented on the Instagram post, saying, “My bad, yo I’m weak.”

After spending nearly 300 days in a Russian prison for drug-related charges, Griner returned to the WNBA in 2023. She earned back-to-back All-Star honors in 2023 and 2024. In those two years, she averaged at least 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds each season.

Griner is expected to be one of the Sun’s primary defenders and rebounders this season. Her size, experience and skills make her a unique asset to a team aiming to make some noise in the WNBA this year.

The Sun started training camp on Sunday with 17 players on the roster. They will need to cut the roster to 12, plus two developmental players, before the season opener on May 8.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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