2021-2022 Player Preview: Kylee Griffen

It’s been a difficult couple of years for many, but the challenges Kylee Griffen faced in her first few years at Gonzaga seem unmatched. The 6’2 guard/wing used an academic redshirt in her freshman year and then faced back-to-back seasons upended by injuries before they even started.

The Marysville native rehabbed a foot injury that caused her to redshirt her freshman year, only to suffer a season derailing shoulder injury the following season. She sat out last season and is now looking at a senior season for her first minutes on the court.

Griffen has the skills to be a solid minutes earner on the team. Her high school career highlighted a dual-threat scorer. She’s comfortable using her length to drive but also has the touch to highlight a solid midrange pull-up game. Her length makes her a competent defender on the wing and could pose problems for both smaller guards and heavy-footed bigs on both sides of the court.

The Zags would love for things to click for the Lake Stevens graduate with the loss of their bellwether frontcourt trio this offseason. The security of the Wirth sisters and Jill Townshend is now gone and growing pains are a natural part of a team looking to find a new identity and reload. Head coach Lisa Fortier would no doubt love someone to plug into open minutes if and when her younger core needs to be pulled for rest or foul trouble.

Griffen could be that option and more considering her skillset leaving high school. She has the pedigree to put it all together, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds her senior year. She was a nominee for Gatorade Player of the Year in Washington and to play in the McDonald’s All-American game. She was a top 100 player her senior season and was the 11th ranked wing recruit by ESPN.

For Griffen and the Bulldogs, what better year than this year to see it all come together.