Associated Press
The season is only a month old, and Brittney Griner is showing she's already one of the best women's basketball players in the country.
The 6-foot-8 Baylor freshman isn't the same tentative rookie who made her debut at Tennessee in early November -- the Bears' only loss this season. Griner had an incredible showing this past weekend at the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic, barely missing consecutive triple-doubles.
She had the school's first one earlier in the week against Oral Roberts.
"She's getting better game to game," Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said. "Just go back and look at the Tennessee game and this weekend. It's only been 10 games. She's only a freshman."
Her numbers in the last seven days were staggering in wins over Oral Roberts, Gonzaga and Arizona State. Griner averaged 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks.
"You already have to put her in the company of some of the other greats like Candace Parker and Maya Moore," Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne said. "She's come so far from high school so quickly. You have to credit Kim and her staff."
What sets Griner apart from so many of the past stars in women's basketball is her ability to alter the game defensively at such a young age.
"She can make up for mistakes," Baylor's Morghan Medlock said. "She allows us to gamble and be more aggressive while playing defense."
While it's too soon to know exactly how good Griner will be, Mulkey is already putting her in some impressive company.
"What did Geno [Auriemma] say? 'We've got Diana [Taurasi] and you don't.' We got Brittney and you don't," she said. "Thank God, because that kid is an unbelievable talent."
With her team struggling against Arizona State on Sunday, Griner scored 18 of her 27 points in the second half with an dazzling array of post moves and a soft touch around the basket. She also had six blocks after intermission while finishing 12 for 16 from the field.
"Each game you get a feel for what you need to do," Griner said. "I always feel like I'm improving, but there's always room to get better."
A scary thought for the rest of country. Texas A&M coach Gary Blair, who will have to face Griner and Baylor at least twice this season, got a glimpse of her because his Aggies also were in the Las Vegas tournament.
"She's fun to watch," Blair said. "She's already a huge part of their game plan on both ends."
Early in the season, Griner seemed content to pass up shots and get her teammates involved. Now she seems to have more confidence in herself.
"She never played at this level before and was trying to let things come to her," Mulkey said. "Now she realizes you don't have to do that and that it's OK to demand the ball."
Griner, who became an internet sensation in high school with her incredible dunks, has only thrown one down in a game this season. For those who want to see her dunk, just watch warmups. Griner puts on a show, dunking easily with both hands.
It's only a matter of time before it happens more in games.
"She's getting to the point where she doesn't really have to think as much on the court and can just play," Mulkey said. "When she's able to do that, look out."
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