Former Baylor women's basketball star Brittney Griner claimed that her college coach Kim Mulkey told player not to openly discuss their sexuality, fearing it might hinder recruiting for the program.

In interviews held with ESPN The Magazine and ESPNW.com, Griner said that under coach Kim Mulkey, she felt the following about openly talking about sexuality:

"it was more of a unwritten law [to not discuss your sexuality] ... it was just kind of, like, one of those things, you know, just don't do it. They kind of tried to make it, like, 'Why put your business out on the street like that?'

"It was a recruiting thing," she continued. "The coaches thought that if it seemed like they condoned it, people wouldn't let their kids come play for Baylor."

Griner said that she has always been openly gay amongst her friends and teammates, even as the age of 14 as a freshman player in Houston. She said she told Mulkey she was gay when she was first recruited, and the coach told her it was not a problem. Her teammates all knew about her sexual preference.

Baylor is a private Baptist school in Waco, Texas, and has a published "Statement on Human Sexuality" within its student handbook.

"Christian churches across the ages and around the world have affirmed purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm," the handbook reads. "Temptations to deviate from this norm include both heterosexual sex outside of marriage and homosexual behavior. It is thus expected that Baylor students will not participate in advocacy groups which promote understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching."

Mulkey did not respond specifically to Griner's comments, but did release a statement saying Griner "represented Baylor University proudly on and off the basketball court, and she leaves behind an incredible legacy." She added that she "cannot comment on personal matters" involving her student-athletes, but said that Griner "will always be a celebrated member of the Baylor family."

Griner has staked her place among the greats at her alma mater. While playing for Baylor, she was the Big 12 Player Of The Year from 2011 to 2013, and the Naismith Women's College Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, she led the Lady Bears to a 40-0 undefeated season and the NCAA title. She will be playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the upcoming 2013 WNBA season.

After NBA player Jason Collins admitted to Sports Illustrated that he was gay, Griner published a New York Times op-ed expounding upon her subtle revelations about being a lesbian made in previous interviews conducted around the WNBA draft.

"For me, the simplicity behind coming out was both powerful and beautiful. No drama, just acceptance and love. That's why I never felt the need to publicly announce I was 'out,'" she wrote. "People have asked me if I'm at all bothered that my 'announcement' after the W.N.B.A. draft last month didn't receive as much attention as Jason's.

"Frankly, it didn't matter at all to me. I simply answered a question honestly and am just happy to tell my truth and to be in a position to encourage others to do the same."

Griner did express optimism in the reaction given to Collins' announcement and her own, and believes it's provided a great foundation for acceptance of gay athletes in the future.

"I do see change coming. It might be slow, but there are so many positive signs," wrote Griner. "After being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury and with more media acknowledging my sexuality, I've received more hugs, tweets, thank-yous and well-wishes in regard to being 'out' than ever...It's my job now to, I hope, be a light who inspires others."

Tags
Brittney Griner, Sports, WNBA