Baylor Ex Coach Kim Mulkey Refuses to Comment On Brittney Griner in Russian Prison
Former Baylor women's basketball player Brittney Griner was detained in a Russian prison in February of 2022 for traces of hashish oil found in her luggage at a Moscow airport.
Many immediately turned to her former college coach, Kim Mulkey, for a statement. Currently leading the program at LSU, she has been silent.
Now, Mulkey has made it clear that she will remain that way.
The 21-year Baylor coach was asked at a press conference this week to give her thoughts on "Griner's situation." The reporter finished the question by stating, "I don't think I've seen anything from you on that."
Mulkey pointedly responded before the question was finished, "And you won't."
Really? pic.twitter.com/ISJGuhUImE
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 26, 2022
Many fans and media alike immediately took to Twitter to share their thoughts. Not surprisingly, most were baffled by this response considering both Mulkey and Griner's relationship and the magnitude of Griner's incarceration in the sport of women's basketball.
Pretty sad that Kim Mulkey has had months to prepare for this moment and she couldn’t even bring herself to say that she would like to see one of her former players released from Russian prison. Seems pretty close to the bare minimum https://t.co/IDM2C07YpH
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) September 26, 2022
Griner has gained national support from celebrities, politicians and athletes alike, but it's apparent the support of her former head coach is still left to be desired.
President Joe Biden Meets with Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan's Family Members at the White House https://t.co/4jkB6zvMOf
— People (@people) September 18, 2022
No one on the American women's basketball team is wearing Brittney Griner's No. 15 at the FIBA World Cup. For years, they've worn Nos. 4-15. This year, they are using 4-14 and 16.
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) September 21, 2022
by @dougfeinberg https://t.co/kNKUZsnA1w pic.twitter.com/QCuYP0NcLt
In Griner's time in Waco, she led Mulkey's Bears to a 40-0 finish in 2012 with a national championship to pair with winning AP Player of the Year.
In just four seasons from 2009-13, Griner helped Mulkey to 131 wins, four sweet sixteens, three elite eights, two final fours and a national title.
In that span, Griner notched 3,283 points, 1,305 rebounds and an NCAA-record 748 blocks, winning multiple national player of the year awards and becoming arguably the best player in Baylor history.
Despite four years of historic success, it is worth wondering if the player-coach relationship shared by Mulkey and Griner is not a lasting one.
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