Brittney (top center) with teammates HOUSTON- Nimitz High Senior basketball player Brittney Griner was recently named USA Today’s High School Girls Player of the Year. The 6-8 senior center led the Lady Cougars to the Class 5A state title game and a 37-2 season.
During her senior season, she averaged 27.2 points per game, 12.3 rebounds per game, 7.7 blocks per game and 2.4 assists per game. Also during her senior season, Griner set a national record for blocks in a game with 25 in the season opener. She also established a new scoring record in a state tournament game when she poured in 44 points in the Lady Cougars’ 74-47 state semifinal win over Pflugerville. In addition to being named USA Today’s Player of the Year, Griner and Nimitz High head girls basketball coach Debbie Jackson were informed that her jersey will hang in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, TN from June 2009 to June 2010. Congratulations Britney!