Kim Mulkey reacts to Baylor retiring Brittney Griner's jersey

The Baylor Bears women’s basketball program will retire former star Brittney Griner’s No. 42 jersey number on Sunday when they take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. But before the ceremony takes place at the Foster Pavilion Center in Waco, TX, LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey shared her thoughts on Griner’s jersey retirement.

Mulkey was Baylor’s head coach from 2000-2021 before returning home to Louisiana and accepting the Tigers’ head coaching position. Of her 22 years at the helm of the Bears program, four years were spent coaching Griner.

On Thursday, during the LSU women’s basketball press conference, Kim Mulkey shared her feelings on her former star player’s jersey retirement.

“I think it’s awesome. It’s awesome, and I’m sure it’ll be a great environment,” said Mulkey.

During Griner’s four-year stay at Baylor, she and Mulkey were able to compile an impressive 135-15 record. The duo was able to capture the 2012 women’s national championship with a perfect 40-0 record. That 40-0 national championship season was the first of its kind in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Mulkey finished 2012 earning AP, USBWA, WBCA, and Big 12 Coach of the Year honors.

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When the jersey retirement ceremony was announced, Griner also shared a few words about the upcoming event.

“I’m honored to return home to Baylor and celebrate where so much of my journey started,” Griner said. “I’m grateful to Coach Nicki (Collen) and the entire Baylor community and looking forward to the opportunity to be back on campus, spend time with the team and have my family beside me to share in this incredible moment. Sic ‘Em Bears.”

Griner, a native of Houston, TX The number one overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury after teaming up with Mulkey for an unprecedented run at Baylor. She finished her career as a four-time All-Big 12 First-Team member, multiple-time All-American, and earned national player of the year honors twice. She also holds the Big 12 women’s basketball record for most points scored (3,283), field goals made (1,247), free throws made (787) and attempted (1,054), blocks (748), to name a few of her accolades. Griner ultimately left Baylor as the most decorated women’s basketball player in the history of the program.

Griner’s jersey retirement ceremony will be held on February 18, 2024, ahead of the 3:00 PM tip-off between Baylor and Texas Tech.