Brittney Griner, if not the unanimous choice for best female basketball player ever, she has to at least be in the conversation. After leading her team, the Baylor Bears, to a perfect 40-0 record, which included a national championship, she has earned consideration without ever playing in the WNBA. Her play has drawn incredible adoration, and according to this article, could change the sport. Her play should influence many young women to compete in basketball, and will raise the level of play of the entire sport. As we discussed in class on April 17th, female athletes do not receive as much commercial attention as male athletes. Griner has a chance to break that mold with her advanced level of play, which will be a gigantic achievement for women's sports.
Coakley discusses women's sports at length in his text, and on page 240, he focuses on the increased media attention given to women's sports. He states that as female athletes become more publicized as strong competitors, young girls can more easily see themselves as an athlete. Brittney Griner fits this role possibly better than any previous female athlete, although there have been many great ones. Griner can become the poster woman for aspiring female athletes everywhere. Hopefully, her success and image will allow women's sports to thrive in the sports world.
No comments:
Post a Comment