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WNBA All-Star free agent center Brittney Griner announced she's signing with the Atlanta Dream after spending her entire 11-year career with the Phoenix Mercury in a video shared on her Instagram account Tuesday (January 28).
Griner shared an Instagram post of herself with Dream players Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, whom she introduced as "my new teammates," in a clip from her new series Outside The Paint.
“Well I actually messed up on my intro, I need to introduce my new teammates because I will be joining the Atlanta Dream,” Griner said in the video.
“So free agency has been everything I wanted it to be. I was able to find where I wanted to go. And honestly what led me to that decision ultimately was the team, the players, as individuals, and then also my family," she added.
Griner reportedly agreed to a one-year deal which can't be made official until Saturday (February 1) in adherence with WNBA rules, according to ESPN. The former WNBA and NCAA champion was selected as an All-Star for the 10th time in her career last season, averaging 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists, months removed from winning her third Olympic gold medal as part of Team USA in the 2024 Paris Games.
Griner's departure comes amid uncertainty for the Mercury, who may also lose fellow WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, a duo responsible for Phoenix's third and most recent championship in 2014.
"You know it was a hard decision," Griner said via ESPN. "You're leaving what you know, what I've known for my whole career. But there's also the exciting factor of like, OK, this is a rebrand now, I get to show them something different."
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