Quotes from Brittney Griner

I don't say that I'm the best in the country, because I always criticize myself so hard. There are so many things I can say are wrong with my game, and someone can sit there and say, 'Well no, this, this and this are good.' I'm just hard on myself.

I never cross my legs.

Everybody's kind of always had a little bit more faith in my shot than me, and I had to work on it overseas and get comfortable with taking it.

When I first started playing basketball, my coordination was horrible! I went into high school at 6 feet and left at 6-7 and then grew another inch in college. Catching the ball, it was bad. I've always been pretty athletic, but when I got really tall, I just felt awkward.

I used to do the whole baggy, hard-core, I'm-a-boy look. Then I went through a preppy phase.

Defensive player of the year is MVP in my book.

Just as basketball doesn't define who I am, neither does being gay.

My teammate in college, Melissa Jones, lost her sight in one eye. Hers wasn't a hit to the eye; she fell and hit her head on the court, and then someone fell on her.

If I'm blocking shots or changing shots or even preventing players from taking shots, I'm helping the team and we are likely to win when our defense is playing well.

I'm comfortable in my body and I don't mind putting it on display. Honestly, I like how unique it is. My big arms, my bigger hands, these long legs - I love being different.

Defense is my favorite part of the game and what I want to be known for.

When I was young, I never dreamed about winning a national championship. I didn't even play basketball. But I was tall. And long. And had large hands. I was made for the game. It found me later in life, compared to most collegiate athletes.

Offense is great, but defense wins championships.

I've had moments when I questioned my place in the world. At times, especially in seventh grade, life was lonely and I'd often feel sad. I never wanted to deny who I was, but dealing with the sadness and the anger that came from people constantly making fun of me wore me down at times.

If you're not that big player, then nobody's really gonna know who you are to promote the brand. If LeBron says, 'Go buy this shoe, it's amazing,' I would probably go buy it. But if some random person on the street was like, 'Hey, go buy this shoe,' I probably wouldn't.

I've had girls say that because of watching me, they're playing sports. And it wasn't just basketball all the time. I definitely feel like I'm helping the girls get out there and want to play. Especially with my style - it's not always 'girly.' I'm showing they can go out there and hang with the boys.

I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.

You can't control injuries, but you can control how hard you work to come back.

I want to be part of a dynasty. I think it would be pretty cool to be known as the team to reckon with.

When I first came into the league, I didn't want the ball in my hands.

Basketball is my safe haven.

If I wasn't playing basketball, I'd be helping people.

When you're confident, you're going to do things a little differently. You're not going to be hesitant to take a shot, you're not going to be hesitant to make a certain move.

People are either going to accept me for who I am or they're not. I don't know what people think I'm hiding. I've heard, 'Oh, she's not a female, she's a male.'