Even though we marvel at how the WNBA managed to pull off its bubble this past season, it was not easy for the league, or the players.
Being secluded in said bubble for several months was anything but easy. If the physical rigors of a WNBA season were taxing enough, add on the mental stress that was a result of the bubble.
Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury) departed the IMG Academy bubble in August of last season. She admitted while at a USA Basketball training camp in South Carolina that the departure was to address her mental health.
I’ve never been shy (about) saying I definitely used counseling a lot when I left, and it’s helped me out tremendously. I think more people should be open to talking about mental health issues. Instead of holding it in so much.
–Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury, USA Basketball (ESPN)
Among the things she says she did, according to reports, was to spend more time outdoors in Arizona – the state in which she lives in.
We don’t talk about things, and in certain communities we really don’t talk about our feelings. It’s just, ‘Put it in a box and forget about it, push it to the back.’ That’s something I think has hurt us as a society. And it’s something that’s going to change with more athletes speaking up about it.
–Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury, USA Basketball (ESPN)
She is also playing overseas for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg, but is already looking forward to this year’s Olympics.
Just being back on the court playing basketball and seeing everybody here. It means a lot to me especially. I’m anxious, I’m ready. I hope that everything goes to plan and we’re able to go over to Tokyo and go for gold because that’s always our goal with USA Basketball.
–Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury, USA Basketball (AZCentral)
