USA TODAY 2C SPORTS TUESDAY,JUNE 18, 2013 Griner relishes new life as pro v CONTINUED FROM 1C

10-year WNBA veteran Diana Taura- si says. “She’s not trying to be anyone she’s not. She’s not trying to be an ac- tress. She’s not trying to be a rapper. She’s , who plays bas- ketball at the highest level. “She’s really re-energized the WNBA and revived the whole city (of Phoenix) with women’s .”

CHANGING THE LEAGUE On the court, Griner is a shot-block- ing, dunking, emotional superstar. Off it, she’s an active longboarder, lis- tens to Jimi Hendrix before games and Trace Adkins after, will soon be wearing clothes branded for men as part of a multiyear endorsement deal with Nike and has two pet snakes, Audii and Sage. Griner’s formula of openness gives the league, in many ways still seeking an identity with the American public, astar who’s highly unpredictable yet uniquely marketable. “I think you’re seeing more guys MARK J. REBILAS, USA TODAY SPORTS who are basketball fans purchasing Brittney Griner, showing off tattoos at a Phoenix shop, says there are more to come: “I want to get the full sleeve like DeCarlo (her brother).” tickets and watching WNBA games because of Brittney,” says Mercury Still, dunking is only part of Grin- her femininity, among other things. that,” Griner says of Collins. “By him owner , who also owns er’s game. “The bullying I dealt with as a coming out, hopefully others will the NBA’s . “She gives so much more than child was very tough. It kind of come out as well. … I hope it gets to Val Ackerman, the WNBA’s found- dunks to the game,” Mercury coach shaped who I am now,” Griner the point where the reaction to being ing president and a former president Corey Gaines says. “She runs like a says. “Those people would say their gay is, ‘Oh, that’s cool,’ where it’s just of USA Basketball, says, “She’s cer- deer in transition. Her shot-blocking mean things, ignorant things, and another thing.” tainly a once-in-a-generation type of ability is so huge. But it’s going to go about their business and have a Griner said it was “kind of obvi- player, and she has the opportunity take time for her to adjust and great day while I’d be sitting there ous” when she came out to family to elevate the visibility of the WNBA crying, hating everything, not want- members and started dating in high in a completely new way. Fans of to- “As far as changing the ing to be around. You’ve got to brush school. day are more interested in the story game, how the game is it off. Now, I can relate to a younger In her freshman year at Baylor, behind an athlete. crowd or anyone who’s gone through she described having “the worst “The fact that Brittney embraces played, I don’t see that. bullying. breakup” of her life. who she is can only help the game. ... No one player can “You’ve got to smile in everyone’s Griner’s current girlfriend was We’re seeing a star player making a completely change the face, even if you’re crying on the present during her USA TODAY stand, and we haven’t always seen league. ... Guards inside.” Sports interview. For privacy con- that in the league.” cerns, Griner asked that her name be Griner offers a brand of athleti- dictate it. Even Wilt COMING OUT kept out of the story. cism never before seen in the WNBA. (Chamberlain) only won Part of Griner’s transition into being “She’s different than anyone I’ve In the Mercury’s season-opening (two championships).” herself came with being open about ever dated,” Griner says. “I’m a rebel. game against the Chicago Sky — her sexuality. Ibuck the system a little bit. She’s Griner’s first WNBA game — she Bill Laimbeer, Liberty coach In April, Griner revealed she is gay, like the complete opposite — good threw down two power dunks in dominate. ... In time, she’ll change an announcement Griner says was an girl with no confrontation. It’s every- what was the most-viewed WNBA the game. She already has. There’s a easy decision when she considered thing that we need to help balance game on ESPN2 in nine years. three-second rule on defense this the large number of people her mes- each other out.” “Before games, I’ll have fans wear- season that I don’t think is a coinci- sage could reach. ing the opponents’ attire and they’ll dence.” “I’ve heard people say, ‘Why do CELEBRITY LIFESTYLE be like, ‘I came to watch you dunk.’ Taurasi has taken a mentoring you need to say you’re gay? Keep Driving to a walk-through practice in And I’m like, ‘So you came to see me role, teaching Griner the intricacies your personal life to yourself.’ I say to the truck she bought after being dunk on your team, basically?’ That’s of the pick-and-roll, which she had them, ‘What about the kids who need drafted, Griner is complaining about cool,” says Griner, who considers de- never run before. someone to look up to?’ ... the traffic and apologizes to her pas- fense and shot-blocking her biggest “I think it’s incredible for her to “Just knowing that you can help sengers. “I have road rage,” she says, strengths. come in as the most popular and somebody out, that’s a feeling you tapping her size-18 shoe on the gas “There’s a lot of expectations; I get marketed player, and she walks into can’t express.” once there’s an open road. that. There’s a lot of, ‘She has to the locker room ready to work like In a story in ESPN The Magazine, Walking up to US Airways Center, change the league.’ But I just feel like everybody else,” Taurasi says. Griner said she kept her sexuality a home of the Suns and Mercury, she is if I play ball the way I know how, I After the season, like most WNBA secret at Baylor, claiming coach Kim easily identifiable — not necessarily can help make the league more excit- players, Griner plans to continue Mulkey insinuated it would hinder for her tall and slender frame, but ing.” playing overseas. She signed a multi- recruiting and the program’s image. because a 75-foot banner of Griner The Mercury started the season year deal with Zhejiang Chouzhou of “Look, Brittney wasn’t able to be drapes down the side of Hotel 0-3 despite being picked as the fa- China. Brittney at Baylor,” Taurasi says. Palomar. vorite to win the WNBA title in She also plans to suit up for the “That happens all over America. We “Just going to Walmart, it’s like 2013, showing that Griner’s impact U.S. national team, something she all feel that way, like your program is autograph land,” Griner says. on the game won’t simply happen didn’t do in college. Griner told USA more important when you’re at that “There’s no running to get a gallon of overnight. TODAY Sports it was definitely a goal age. But in reality, without her, who milk anymore.” “As far as changing the game, how to play in the 2016 Olympics after gives a (expletive) about Baylor?” Griner says she’s never turned the game is played, I don’t see that,” passing on the 2012 team for family Mulkey issued a statement to USA down an autograph, knowing how New York Liberty coach and former reasons. TODAY Sports about the ESPN re- much those five seconds mean to NBA big man Bill Laimbeer says. “No As the WNBA pushes its new star port and Taurasi’s comments saying fans. one player can completely change further into the spotlight, Griner has she couldn’t comment on Griner’s “I want my daughter looking up to the league. ... Guards dictate it. Even slowly been answering the question: PHOTOS BY THE (PHOENIX) ARIZONA REPUBLIC personal matters. her,” says Terri Thomas, a longtime Wilt (Chamberlain) only won (two Who is Brittney Griner? Griner clowns around with Mer- Griner has received positive and Mercury season ticketholder. championships).” “Most athletes act all unhuman cury teammate . negative feedback for her choice to Aleast one person thinks she Griner’s two effortless slams set a and you can’t relate to them. I’m the be open with her sexuality, a choice knows the answer to “Who is Britt- record for dunks in a WNBA game exact opposite,” Griner says. more tears than smiles. Growing up, that coincided with Jason Collins be- ney Griner?” and tied a league record for dunks in Over the course of a two-day inter- she was the victim of bullying. The coming the first openly gay NBA “She’s my hero,” 8-year-old Sarah acareer. And that came after she view with USA TODAY Sports, Grin- name calling still resonates, and she player. Thomas said, “because she’s confi- made 18 dunks at Baylor. er recalled a time when there were still endures online jabs questioning “He was very brave to step out like dent with who she is.” IN BRIEF

house in April 2012 and became so burg, has faced at least nine lawsuits intoxicated that she blacked out, said since 2011 from business owners her attorney, Susan Burke.After re- claiming they were not being paid for porting it to the Naval Criminal In- work at his coal mines. Worth an es- vestigative Service, she was timated $1.7 billion, Justice ranks disciplined for drinking, but the foot- No.292 on a list of wealthiest Ameri- ball players faced no consequences cans by Forbes magazine, which esti- and the investigation was closed, mates that his personal wealth has Burke said. — Jacqueline Klimas, grown by $500 million in the last Military Times year. Justice acknowledged his com- panies had debts but said they were LEFFLER’S GIRLFRIEND SAYS emblematic of the coal industry’s DRIVER HAD INSURANCE wider struggles. Justice also owns the NASCAR driver Jason Leffler’s girl- Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur friend, brother and representatives Springs, W.Va., and the Greenbrier at Spire Sports discussed his financial Classic on the PGA Tour. situation Monday to clear up miscon- MATTHEW O'HAREN, USA TODAY SPORTS ceptions about the estate he left be- JPAT CARTER, AP ATLANTA RADIO HOSTS FIRED Jason Leffler, above, had funds for his hind for 5-year-old-son Charlie. Chad Johnson apologized to a judge for FOR MOCKING EX-SAINT’S ALS son, girlfriend Julianna Patterson says. Leffler, 37, died in a crash Wednesday slapping his attorney on the rear. Astation official says the cast of an CASE AGAINST THREE NAVY at a dirt track in New Jersey. They for disrespecting a judge when the Atlanta sports radio show has been JOSH D. WEISS, USA TODAY SPORTS FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO PROCEED said Leffler had disability insurance former NFL wide receiver slapped fired after mocking a former NFL Defender John Abraham is available. The case of three Naval Academy and other policies as well as funds es- his attorney on the backside in court player who has Lou Gehrig’s disease. NFL.USATODAY.COM football players accused of sexually tablished for Charlie. His former sis- last week, and he was released from The show, Mayhem in the AM, was assaulting a female midshipman ter-in-law told Sporting News on jail after a week instead of 30 days. broadcast Monday morning on 790 while she was unconscious will pro- Friday that Leffler did not have life Broward County (Fla.) Circuit Judge The Zone. In a statement, general TOP NFL FREE ceed to an Article 32 hearing. Vice insurance when he died. “It’s insane Kathleen McHugh accepted John- manager Rick Mack said the station Adm. Michael Miller,superinten- that someone would bring this up, son’s apology and reduced his jail regretted comments made about ex- AGENTS LEFT dent of the Naval Academy, has re- would bring up life insurance, within term for a probation violation to New Orleans Saints safety Steve viewed the investigation and referred aday of this happening. We haven’t the seven days he had served. John- Gleason.Gleason, 36, suffers from Some accomplished players will the case to an Article 32 hearing, but even had the funeral yet,” girlfriend son, formerly known as Chad Ocho- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS likely be waiting until at least late charges have not been brought Julianna Patterson said. Leffler cinco, said he’d had time to think patients lose the ability to speak and July before finding work again. against the players. As a result, spe- and Patterson had planned to move about why his flippant attitude was move, which has happened to Glea- cific charges and the names of the into a new apartment with Charlie wrong — especially in a domestic vio- son. The station lists the hosts at players have not been released. An this weekend. “He absolutely bent lence case. Nick Cellini, Steak Shapiro and Article 32 hearing is the military over backward to do whatever was Chris Dimino.But Mack didn’t give SPORTS PHOTOS equivalent of a preliminary hearing best for Charlie,” said brother Chris BILLIONAIRE PREP COACH the names of those fired. Cellini apol- QR READER or grand jury proceeding. The hear- Leffler,executor of the driver’s will. SUED BY BUSINESS OWNERS ogized, calling it a stupid attempt at Scan with a QR reader; ing will determine if there is enough West Virginia billionaire Jim Jus- humor. Gleason played for the Saints AT&T code scanner evidence to proceed to a court-mar- EX-NFL STAR JOHNSON tice,the head coach of the girls and from 2000 through 2006. available at scan.mobi. tial. The female alleges she went to RELEASED FROM JAIL boys basketball teams at Greenbrier Get codes for your an off-campus party at the football Chad Johnson apologized Monday East High in his hometown of Lewis- Compiled by John Tkach from staff, wires business at att.com/mcode.

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