"Putin, come get yo girl. We want a refund": Controversial analyst takes a dig at Brittney Griner for speaking out on "racial slurs"

Veteran analyst Jason Whitlock, known for his outspoken and often controversial opinions on basketball and player comments, responded sharply to Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner's recent statement. During Mercury's exit interview, Griner spoke out on new fans targeting WNBA players with "racial slurs."

"I don’t appreciate the new fans that sit there and yell racial slurs at myself, my teammates, and the people that I play against because, yeah, those might be opponents but those are friends, too," Griner told reporters.

"They don’t deserve that, so I don’t appreciate the new fans that think it’s OK to do that," she said.

Griner joined the growing number of WNBA players speaking out against a segment of fans spewing vitriol against athletes. The issue was initially raised by Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas and quickly gained momentum, with coaches and players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Breanna Stewart, among others, voicing their concerns on the matter.

Jason Whitlock was displeased with Brittney Griner's remarks and responded harshly, bringing up the topic of the Mercury star's previous detention in Russia.

"Putin, come get yo girl. We want a refund," Whitlock wrote on X (formerly Twitter) while reacting to Griner's video.

The veteran analyst's response referenced Griner's arrest in Russia on drug charges on Feb. 23, 2022. Griner spent more than nine months in Russian custody before being released on Dec. 8, 2022, as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange.

Brittney Griner appreciative of respectful fans

Brittney Griner expressed her gratitude for the new wave of WNBA fans who have begun following women's basketball, thanks to the arrival of rising stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso, and Rickea Jackson, among others.

The former WNBA champion also reflected on the league's significant growth over the past 11 years since she first joined.

"But I do appreciate the new fans that respect the game, that are here to grow our league, bringing in people that may have never watched the W to a WNBA game so we can grow more fans. I do appreciate them," said Griner.

"I appreciate the players that came in with the spark that they have playing at the level that they’re playing at. We need more players coming in ready to put on a show and ready to give a good product to keep growing each year. So I’m happy about where the game is now versus when I came into the league," the 10-time All-Star added.

Meanwhile, the WNBA issued a statement condemning the inappropriate behavior of fans toward the players.

Regarding Jason Whitlock, the veteran analyst accused WNBA players of fabricating a "false crisis" by labeling the new fans as "racist."