Career Timeline of Brittney Griner: Major Achievements and Milestones

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 and for the Vinyl of Unrivaled. A dominant force in women's basketball, she's a three-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women's national team and a six-time WNBA All-Star. Griner was recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2023, reflecting her impact both on and off the court.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

December 16, 2009: First Triple-Double

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

2009: Ranked Nation's Top High School Player

In 2009, Brittney Griner was named the nation's No. 1 high school women's basketball player by Rivals.com and was selected to the 2009 All-American basketball team, marking an early career milestone.

January 2010: Dunked in College 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 against Texas State University.

September 2011: Training with U.S. National Team

In September 2011, Griner, as the only college player, trained with the U.S. national team under coach Geno Auriemma during its European tour, averaging 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

April 3, 2012: 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 over Notre Dame, earning her the title of Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.

April 2012: Decision to Not Participate in 2012 Olympics

In April 2012, Griner, who was the only college player on the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team finalists roster at 22 years old, decided not to participate in the 2012 Olympics due to family illness and her school schedule.

2012: Breakout Junior Year at Baylor

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

April 2013: Interest from Dallas Mavericks

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

May 27, 2013: WNBA Debut

On May 27, 2013, in her WNBA debut against Chicago Sky, Brittney Griner tied the WNBA dunk record with two dunks and became the third WNBA player to dunk and the first to do so twice in one game.

2013: Drafted First Overall by Phoenix Mercury

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

2013: End of College Career

In 2013, Brittney Griner's college career ended when Baylor lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

2013: Playing for Zhejiang Golden Bulls

In the 2013 off-season, 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.

June 29, 2014: WNBA Record 11 Blocks in a Game

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 a 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 with Team USA

In 2014, Brittney Griner won the FIBA Women's World Cup with Team USA.

2014: WNBA Championship with Phoenix Mercury

In 2014, Brittney Griner won the WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury, securing her first professional title.

2014: WCBA All-Star MVP and Beijing Great Wall

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

2014: Mercury's Historic Season

In the 2014 season, with Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, the Mercury finished 29–5, setting the WNBA record for most wins in a regular season and winning the WNBA finals against the Chicago Sky.

2014: Playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg

In the 2014–15 off-season, Griner began playing in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg with teammate Diana Taurasi.

2015: Back-to-back Championships with UMMC Ekaterinburg

In 2015-16, Griner continued playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg with teammate Diana Taurasi, and won back-to-back championships.

2015: WNBA Record 4.0 Blocks Per Game

In the 2015 season, Brittney Griner averaged a career high and WNBA record of 4.0 blocks per game.

August 2016: Re-signing with UMMC Ekaterinburg

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

2016: Rio Olympics Victory with U.S. National Team

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

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Griner earned her first Olympic gold medal with the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team at the Summer Olympics, after they beat Spain 101–72 in the final. This achievement made her one of 11 players to have won an Olympic gold medal, FIBA World Cup gold medal, WNBA title, and NCAA title.

2016: Recorded a Triple-Double

In the 2016 season, Griner recorded the sixth triple-double in WNBA history in a win against the Atlanta Dream, accumulating 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 Mercury to a multi-year deal once her rookie contract expired.

June 7, 2017: Career-High 38 Points

On June 7, 2017, Brittney Griner scored a career-high 38 points along with 9 rebounds in a 98–90 overtime win against the Indiana Fever.

2017: Continued Play with UMMC Ekaterinburg

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

August 18, 2018: 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: Second FIBA Women's World Cup Winner with Team USA

In 2018, Brittney Griner won her second FIBA Women's World Cup with Team USA.

2018: Fifth Stint with UMMC Ekaterinburg

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

August 25, 2019: 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.

2019: Breaking Barriers and Trailblazing

In a 2019 interview with People, Griner stated, "People tell me I'm going to break the barrier and trailblaze. I just kind of look at it like, I'm just trying to help out, I'm just trying to make it not as tough for the next generation."

2020: Protest of National Anthem

In 2020, Griner, along with teammate Brianna Turner, called for the WNBA to stop playing the United States national anthem before games, protesting the killing of Breonna Taylor as part of the wider George Floyd protests.

2021: 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: Mercury's Playoff Run

In 2021, the Mercury, with Griner averaging 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, secured the 4th seed in the Western Conference with a 19-13 record. Griner's 240 playoff points aided the Mercury in defeating the New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, and the Las Vegas Aces, but the team lost to the Chicago Sky in the WNBA finals.

December 2022: Release from Detention in Russia

Since her release from detention in Russia in December 2022, Griner has championed the return of others detained in foreign countries.

May 2023: Return to WNBA

In May 2023, Brittney Griner made her return to the WNBA, receiving a standing ovation.

2023: Resuming Standing for National Anthem

Following her detention in Russia, Griner stated her experiences led her to appreciate American freedoms. As a result, she resumed standing for the national anthem beginning with the 2023 season.

2023: WNBA All-Star and Mercury Season

In 2023, Griner was named a starter in the WNBA All-Star Game. During the 2023 season, she played 31 of 40 games, averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, however, the Mercury finished in last place with a 9-31 record.

June 2024: Named to US Olympic Team

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

October 2, 2024: Joining Unrivaled League

On October 2, 2024, Griner's participation in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a women's 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, was announced.