UNCASVILLE, Conn. (April 24, 2018) — The Connecticut Sun announced today that Kelsey Griffin has been waived after she informed the team she would not be able to attend training camp because of an injury.
“I am truly disappointed to not be able to start the WNBA season with the Sun,” Griffin said. “This issue has been causing me discomfort for a number of weeks. While I thought rest would help resolve it, it hasn’t. As a result, I did not want to let the ownership, coach Miller and the fans of the Connecticut Sun down. If I can’t train and play at 100 percent, then I believe it is unfair on the group and doesn’t sit well with me.”
Selected out of Nebraska by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2010 WNBA Draft, the former Big 12 Player of the Year was acquired the same day by the Sun in exchange for Connecticut’s first and second round picks in the 2011 WNBA Draft. She appeared in 164 of a possible 170 games with 71 starts through the 2014 season, collecting 801 points and 683 rebounds for the Sun.
“We are disappointed that we had to waive Kelsey Griffin due to recent health concerns,” Connecticut Sun Head Coach and General Manager Curt Miller said. “We were truly excited to add her veteran leadership and presence to our young and exciting roster. Kelsey’s health is our number one concern at this time, but we look forward to continuing our relationship as we move forward.”
Waived by the Sun prior to the start of the 2015 WNBA season after undergoing hip surgery, Griffin has continued her career in Australia. She helped the Opals win a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and she earned MVP honors at the 2017 Asia Cup, where Australia won the silver medal. She has played for the Bendigo Spirit in Australia’s WNBL since 2012. She was the MVP of the team four years in a row, and helped the team win consecutive league championships.
“This was a difficult decision for Kelsey,” said Griffin’s agent, Bruce Kaider. “She was looking forward to being in Connecticut this year and we were looking forward to having her there. While this issue is not a long-term concern, it is something that needs to be addressed in the best of interest of her health and playing career.”
The Connecticut Sun will tip off its 16th season in the state by leading off #WNBAAllDay on Sunday, May 20 at 1 p.m. A 21-win playoff team in 2017, the Sun will look to start fast, taking on the Las Vegas Aces (formerly the San Antonio Stars) as the first game on a day in which all 12 WNBA teams will be in action for the very first time.
Season tickets for 2018 start as low as $22 per game and are available now.