Arizona’s Taryn Griffey, daughter of Ken Jr., retires from basketball due to injuries

Griffey played in 37 games, and was one of the best 3-point shooters in UA history

Arizona Wildcats guard Taryn Griffey has retired from basketball after dealing with multiple injuries throughout her career, it was announced Wednesday.

Griffey, the daughter of MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and sister of former UA wide receiver Trey Griffey, will continue her academic career at Arizona and plans to remain part of the team in some capacity.

“It is no secret that over these past few years I have dealt with multiple injuries that have caused me to either sit out a few games or sit out an entire season. So with that being said I have decided that it’s best for me and my future health to walk away from the game of basketball,” Griffey said in a statement.

“Nothing has changed though, that little girl that fell in love with the game of basketball 19 years ago hasn't changed, just the circumstances. I will still be a part of this program and will help my teammates in any way I can. One door closes and another one opens. I am forever grateful for where basketball has taken me and I am beyond grateful for the lifelong friendships that I have established throughout my years playing.”

Griffey arrived at Arizona in 2014 as a highly-touted recruit out of Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla, despite missing her junior and season seniors with knee injuries.

Griffey was part of former UA coach Niya Butts’ final recruiting class, and redshirted her first year on campus because of another knee injury.

She played 37 games over the next two seasons, averaging 7.1 points per game and shooting 39.8 percent from 3, one of the highest percentages in UA history.

Griffey’s departure is not a surprise, as she was never listed on Arizona’s 2017-18 roster.

Arizona’s depth will be lacking this year, currently listing 11 players on the roster. Underclassmen Bria Rice, Eugenie Simonet-Keller, Charise Holloway left the program.

And four of Arizona’s 11 players are freshmen while three others — guards Aarion McDonald and Tee Tee Starks, and forward Dominique McBryde — have to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules.

Arizona plans to add a couple walk-ons.

The Wildcats went 14-16 last season, and could take a step back from that mark this year.

However, Arizona currently has the No. 2 recruiting class in 2018, and the program is trending in the right direction under head coach Adia Barnes, who is entering her second season at her alma mater.

The Wildcats open the regular season on Friday, Nov. 10 against Iona in McKale Center.

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Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire

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