Brittney Griner’s birthday honored by Staley, Auriemma, more

They think fondly of her laughter, her hugs, her sweet tooth, her impressive skills, her love of her teammates. As Brittney Griner turns 32 on Tuesday, it also marks the 243rd day since she was wrongfully detained in Russia, and she’ll spend her birthday far from home, her loved ones and her basketball family.

Griner, the longtime Phoenix Mercury and USA Basketball center, has been imprisoned in Russia since Feb. 17, arrested on charges she brought vape cartridges containing cannabis oil into the country. On Aug. 4, Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison, and efforts are ongoing in the attempt to arrange a diplomatic exchange of prisoners that would allow her to return to the United States.

“I think of her every day,” said New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, who guided the Mercury from 2014 to 2021. “Not just the great player she developed into. She has this amazing laugh, which I can’t wait to hear again.”

Brondello and others shared some of their favorite memories of Griner both on and off court.

“There is such a human side to BG that a lot of people on the outside don’t know,” former USA Basketball head coach Dawn Staley said. “I wish that a lot of people were able to see that and could express themselves with the honesty that Brittney does.”

Staley, who has guided the Gamecocks to two NCAA titles, including the 2022 championship, led the U.S. national team to gold medals in the 2018 FIBA World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics. Griner played on both teams, and Staley recalled a time when the center got irritated in practice and allowed it to carry over to a game.

“Once she lets you in, you get the best of Brittney,” Staley said. “We were in Japan for the Olympics, and something ticked her off in practice. I went up to her and said, ‘You…