Career Timeline of Brittney Griner: Major Achievements and Milestones

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Brittney Griner

Discover the career path of Brittney Griner, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Brittney Yvette Griner is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA. A dominant center, she's a six-time WNBA All-Star and has won three Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women's national team, showcasing her skill on the international stage. In 2023, Time magazine recognized her influence by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

November 11, 2008: Recorded 25 Blocks in a Game

On November 11, 2008, Brittney Griner recorded 25 blocks in a game against Houston Alief Hastings, setting the record for the most blocks ever recorded by a female in a high school game in the U.S.

December 16, 2009: Recorded Baylor's First Triple-Double

On December 16, 2009, Brittney Griner recorded Baylor's first triple-double with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and a Big 12 Conference record of 11 blocked shots.

2009: WBCA All-American

In 2009, Brittney Griner was named a WBCA All-American and participated in the WBCA High School All-America Game, scoring 20 points and collecting 9 rebounds.

January 2010: Dunked During a Women's College Basketball Game

In January 2010, Brittney Griner became only the seventh player to dunk during a women's college basketball game, and only the second woman to dunk twice in a single college game, marking a significant achievement in women's basketball.

September 2011: Played for U.S. national team during European training tour

In September 2011, Brittney Griner, while still in college, played for two weeks under coach Geno Auriemma for the U.S. national team as part of its European training tour. She was the only college player in the group, averaging 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds a game for the U.S. team in Europe.

April 3, 2012: Won Division I Women's Basketball Championship

On April 3, 2012, Brittney Griner led Baylor to win the Division I Women's Basketball Championship with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots in an 80–61 victory over Notre Dame, finishing the season undefeated with 40 wins.

2012: Breakout Junior Year

In 2012, Brittney Griner had a breakout junior year, earning recognition as a three-time All-American, AP Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, leading Baylor to the National Championship, and winning the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award.

2012: Named AP Player of the Year

In 2012, Brittney Griner was named the AP Player of the Year and The 2012 Premier Player of Women's College Basketball after averaging 23.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5 blocks per game during her junior season.

April 2013: Interest from Dallas Mavericks

In April 2013, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expressed interest in potentially drafting Brittney Griner to the NBA, but no offer was extended.

May 27, 2013: Debut and Dunk Record

On May 27, 2013, in her WNBA debut against the Chicago Sky, Brittney Griner equaled the WNBA dunk record, recording two dunks and becoming the third WNBA player to dunk.

2013: Played for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China

During the 2013-14 off-season, Brittney Griner played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the WCBA. She signed a four-month contract for $600,000, which was 12 times the amount she made in her rookie season with the Mercury.

2013: Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft

In 2013, Brittney Griner was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury, launching her professional basketball career.

June 29, 2014: WNBA Record with 11 Blocks

On June 29, 2014, Brittney Griner set a WNBA record with 11 blocks in a regular season game win against the Tulsa Shock, along with 21 points and 8 rebounds.

August 24, 2014: First WNBA Player to Dunk in Playoff Game

On August 24, 2014, Brittney Griner became the first WNBA player to dunk in a playoff game, helping the Mercury defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 93–68.

2014: FIBA Women's World Cup Winner

Brittney Griner was a FIBA Women's World Cup winner with Team USA in 2014, adding to her international achievements.

2014: Played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia

During the 2014-15 off-season, Griner played in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg with teammate Diana Taurasi, winning back-to-back championships.

2014: Named MVP of the WCBA All-Star Game

In 2014, Brittney Griner was named the MVP of the WCBA All-Star Game. During the 2014-15 off-season, she also played for the Beijing Great Wall of the WCBA where the team finished as the runner-up in the playoff.

2014: Won the 2014 WNBA championship

In 2014, Brittney Griner won the WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury, marking a significant achievement in her professional career.

2014: Historic Season and WNBA Championship

In 2014, the Phoenix Mercury, led by Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, finished with a WNBA record of 29–5 and swept the Chicago Sky to capture the Mercury's third championship.

2015: Won championship with UMMC Ekaterinburg

In the 2014–15 and 2015–16 off-seasons, Griner played in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg with teammate Diana Taurasi, winning back-to-back championships.

2015: Prolific Defensive Season

In the 2015 season, Brittney Griner had a prolific defensive season, averaging a WNBA record 4.0 blocks per game, surpassing Margo Dydek's record from 1998.

August 2016: Re-signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg

In August 2016, Griner re-signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2016–17 off-season.

2016: Led U.S. to Victory at Rio Olympics

In 2016, Brittney Griner led the U.S. national women's basketball team to victory at the Rio Olympics, securing a gold medal.

2016: Recorded Triple-Double

In 2016, Brittney Griner recorded the sixth triple-double in WNBA history in a win against the Atlanta Dream, with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

March 12, 2017: Re-signed with the Mercury

On March 12, 2017, Brittney Griner re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury to a multi-year deal after her rookie contract expired, solidifying her commitment to the team.

June 7, 2017: Scored Career-High 38 Points

On June 7, 2017, Brittney Griner scored a career-high 38 points in a 98–90 overtime win against the Indiana Fever.

2017: Re-signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg

In 2017, Griner re-signed once again with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2017–18 off-season.

August 18, 2018: Scored Season-High 33 Points

On August 18, 2018, Brittney Griner scored a season-high 33 points along with 18 rebounds and 7 blocks in a 104–95 victory over the Atlanta Dream.

2018: FIBA Women's World Cup Winner

Brittney Griner was a FIBA Women's World Cup winner with Team USA again in 2018, marking her second win in the competition.

2018: Returned to UMMC Ekaterinburg for fifth stint

In 2018, Griner returned to UMMC Ekaterinburg for a fifth stint in the 2018–19 off-season.

August 25, 2019: Scored Season-High 34 Points

On August 25, 2019, Brittney Griner scored a season-high 34 points in a 94–86 loss to the Chicago Sky.

2021: Won Second Olympic Gold Medal

In 2021 (held in Tokyo), Brittney Griner won her second gold medal with the U.S. national team at the Olympics.

2021: Reached WNBA Finals

In 2021, Brittney Griner helped the Phoenix Mercury reach the WNBA finals, where they lost to the Chicago Sky in 4 games, after scoring the most points in the playoffs.

May 2023: Returned to the WNBA

In May 2023, Brittney Griner made her return to the WNBA after being released from Russia, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

2023: Named WNBA All-Star Game starter

In 2023, Griner performed well, and was named a starter in the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game. The Mercury finished in last place with a 9-31 record and she averaged 17.5 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.

June 2024: Named to US Olympic team

In June 2024, Griner was again named to the US women's Olympic team to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France.

October 2, 2024: Announced to play in Unrivaled league

On October 2, 2024, it was announced that Griner would appear and play in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, the women's 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart and would play for Phantom.

2024: Won Third Consecutive Olympic Gold Medal

In 2024, Brittney Griner won her third consecutive gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics in France.

2025: Reported to sign with Atlanta Dream

It was reported on January 28th, 2025 that Griner would be signing a 1 year deal with the Atlanta Dream in the free agency off season.