Brittney Griner withdraws from consideration for 2012 USA Basketball Women’s National Team due to family illness

Baylor announced today that junior Brittney Griner, a 6-8 center, withdrew her name from consideration for the 2012 USA Basketball Women’s National Team. She was the only collegiate player in the running for a spot on the team that will compete at the London Olympic Games this summer.

“Because of a family illness and my school schedule during the summer, I have told USA Basketball Women’s National Team Director, Carol Callan, that I will be unable to participate this summer with the 2012 USA Basketball Women’s National Team,” said Griner in a statement. “I am disappointed that I will be unable to participate, but I want to stay involved in USA Basketball and hope to again have the opportunity to represent my country in future international competition.”

Griner, a finalist for the team, toured with USA Basketball last summer in Europe. The organization announced 11 members of the Olympic team earlier this month with one more spot to be filled. The deadline for naming the last member of the team is June 18.

The star of the reigning national champion Lady Bears won this year’s Naismith, Wooden, Wade and Honda awards. She averaged 23.3 points, 9.5 rebounds per game and led the nation in blocks with 5.2 blocks per contest.

Griner did not attend the Wooden Award ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday, April 6 because of her school schedule and her decision to go to Houston after class to be with her ill mother.