Mercury’s Brittney Griner wins WNBA community service award

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been honored with the prestigious season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for her unwavering commitment to bringing wrongfully detained Americans back to the United States and empowering marginalized communities in Phoenix.

Griner’s advocacy work with Bring Our Families Home, an impactful campaign dedicated to raising awareness about wrongfully detained individuals globally and facilitating their safe return, played a significant role in earning her this well-deserved recognition. Additionally, her initiative called the BG Heart and Sole Shoe Drive, which she initiated in 2016, brought in almost 3,000 pairs of shoes this season alone.

In a grateful statement, Griner acknowledged, “I’m humbled to receive this recognition from the WNBA, but I am even more thankful to the devoted X-Factor fans, fans across the league, and the entire Phoenix Mercury organization for joining forces this year to make a meaningful impact through the Heart and Sole Shoe Drive and Bring Our Families Home. I am aware of the unique opportunity, privilege, and responsibility I possess to effect positive change in the lives of others, and I am committed to upholding that responsibility.”

This is the second consecutive season that a Phoenix Mercury player has been bestowed with this honor, with forward Brianna Turner receiving the award last year.

Throughout the season, Griner hosted friends and families of wrongfully detained Americans at both home and away games. The Mercury also displayed the logo of Bring Our Families Home on their court as a symbol of solidarity and support.

As part of Griner’s partnership with Bring Our Families Home, the Mercury arranged a letter-writing station at all of their home games this season. Fans were given the opportunity to write handwritten notes to detained Americans overseas as well as elected officials. This letter-writing campaign gained traction throughout the league, prompting other teams to set up similar stations at their home games against the Phoenix Mercury.

In June, Griner had previously earned the monthly WNBA Cares Community Assist Award as well, further highlighting her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact off the court.