here is some detailed information related to WNBA star Brittney Griner taking a break from basketball to focus on her mental health:
Background:
- Brittney Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time WNBA All-Star. She is a dominant force on the court, but she has also been open about her struggles with mental health. In 2019, she was suspended for three games for an on-court fight. She has also spoken out about her anxiety and depression.
- Decision to take a break: On July 29, 2023, the Phoenix Mercury announced that Griner would be taking a break from basketball to focus on her mental health. The decision came after Griner had played 20 out of 24 games since her return to the WNBA. She will not be traveling with the team on their upcoming two-game road trip to Chicago and Indiana.
- Reasons for the break: The Mercury did not specify the reasons for Griner’s decision to take a break. However, it is likely that her recent detainment in Russia played a role. Griner was arrested in February 2022 after customs officials found cartridges containing less than a gram of hash oil in her luggage. She was detained for almost ten months before being released on bail in December. The criminal trial against her is still ongoing.
- Support for Griner: The Mercury have expressed their support for Griner and her decision to take a break. “The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return,” the team said in a statement.
- Mental health in sports: Griner’s decision to take a break to focus on her mental health is a sign of the growing awareness of mental health issues in sports. More and more athletes are speaking out about their struggles with mental health, and there is a growing movement to destigmatize mental illness.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.