The Mercury welcomed back the nine-time All-Star last week at PHX Arena, where she posted 17 points for the Atlanta Dream in their 90-79 win over Phoenix. But her presence off the court was even more significant. To celebrate Griner’s return to the Valley, the Mercury continued her annual BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive.
Griner’s shoe drive has become a Mercury tradition. The 6'9" center founded the charitable program in 2016 after noticing a significant number of homeless people walking around Phoenix without shoes.
Even when Griner was wrongfully detained in Russia for 10 months in 2022, the shoe drive continued in her absence. Now, as a member of the Dream, Griner again teamed up with the Mercury to deliver shoes to the less fortunate.
“Even when I was gone, it was still going,” Griner says. “It just shows how much (the Mercury) mean what they say when they say they’re behind you.”
Griner spent 11 seasons in Phoenix before signing with the Atlanta Dream this past offseason. During her time with the Mercury, she racked up personal and team accolades. She won a WNBA championship with Phoenix in 2014 and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a seven-time member of the All-Defensive team.
“I think it’s important to be able to provide those shoes to those that need them,” says Carolyn Thierjung-Laing, a Mercury fan. “Whether it’s here or elsewhere, it’s nice that it’s continuing to really help those that are in need.”
Since its inception, Griner’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive has expanded significantly. This year, fans attending the game were able to make donations at a table located inside PHX Arena’s pavilion.
“It’s wonderful that she helped found that,” says Melanie Thierjung-Laing, another member of the X-Factor, the Mercury’s energetic fan base. “Keeping it going is even more important.”
Dolores Mejia and her family brought pairs of Moolah and Nike shoes to donate to the drive.
“It means a lot,” Mejia says. ”People who might not get the opportunity to have nice shoes all the time get that opportunity through the shoe drive.”
Brittney Griner smiles as she addresses the Phoenix media before her return to the court against her former team, the Mercury, on July 23.
Aishling Cavanaugh/Cronkite News
Griner is averaging 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per game on 52% shooting from the field with Atlanta. The Mercury get another chance to hand Griner her first loss against her former team in an Aug. 1 rematch when they make the trip to Atlanta.
“We miss her so much,” says Meija's mother, Gina. “She just made such a huge impact on our community and our lives. The least we can do is keep contributing to the shoe drive she started.”
With retired Mercury star Diana Taurasi watching her former teammate from the stands, emotions ran high throughout the night. The Mercury’s championship trio of Griner, Taurasi and Phoenix forward DeWanna Bonner reunited after the game to catch up.
“I mean, you can’t mention Phoenix without mentioning BG,” Bonner says. “She grew up here. She was drafted here, and she became a great person in this community.”
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts, in his second season with Phoenix, has had the opportunity to coach all three players from the team’s 2014 championship run.
“She’s a great player, but she’s a better person,” Tibbetts says of Griner. “How she approaches life and all the things she’s been through. She’s got a really good vision of what this is all about.”
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