Brittney Griner is a celebrated American basketball player. She plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women's national team. Her exceptional skills have earned her six WNBA All-Star selections. Griner's impact extends beyond the court, as evidenced by her inclusion in Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2023.
October 18, 1990: Brittney Griner's Birth
Brittney Yvette Griner was born on October 18, 1990.
1998: Previous WNBA Block Record
Margo Dydek set the previous WNBA record for blocks per game in 1998. This record was surpassed by Brittney Griner in 2015.
2006: Duke's Alison Bales Sets NCAA Tournament Block Record
Duke's Alison Bales set the previous record of 30 blocks in the 2006 NCAA Women's Tournament, which was later broken by Brittney Griner.
November 11, 2008: Record-Breaking 25 Blocks in a Game
On November 11, 2008, Brittney Griner recorded 25 blocks in a game against Houston Alief Hastings, the most ever recorded by a female in a high school game in the U.S.
May 7, 2009: Brittney Griner Day
Houston mayor Bill White declared May 7, 2009, Brittney Griner Day.
December 16, 2009: First Triple-Double at Baylor
On December 16, 2009, Brittney Griner recorded Baylor's first triple-double with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and Big 12 Conference record 11 blocked shots.
2009: Griner Named Top High School Player and WBCA High School Player of the Year
Griner was selected as the number-one high school player in the country by Rivals.com, and was selected by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as the 2009 State Farm/WBCA High School Player of the Year.
2009: WBCA All-American and Participation in All-America Game
In 2009, Brittney Griner was named a WBCA All-American and participated in the 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game, leading the team by scoring 20 points and collecting 9 rebounds.
2009: Nation's No. 1 High School Player
In 2009, Brittney Griner was named the nation's No. 1 high school women's basketball player by Rivals.com and selected to the All-American basketball team.
January 2010: First Dunks in Women's College Basketball
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.
September 2011: Griner Trains with the U.S. National Team
In September 2011, Griner spent two weeks playing under coach Geno Auriemma for the U.S. national team as part of its European training tour. Griner was the only college player in the group.
April 3, 2012: NCAA Championship Victory and Final Four Most Outstanding Player
On April 3, 2012, Brittney Griner led Baylor with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocked shots to win the Division I Women's Basketball Championship. Griner was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.
April 2012: Griner Opts Out of the 2012 Olympics
Griner decided in April 2012 not to participate in the 2012 Olympics due to family illness and her school schedule.
2012: Griner Wins the Honda Sports Award and Honda-Broderick Cup
Griner was the 2012 winner of the Honda Sports Award for basketball and the overall Honda-Broderick Cup winner for all sports.
2012: Breakout Junior Year at Baylor
In 2012, Brittney Griner had a breakout junior year, being named the AP Player of the Year, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, leading Baylor in winning the National Championship, and winning the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award.
2012: Griner Wins the Wade Trophy and Ann Meyers Drysdale Award
In 2012, Griner was the 2012 recipient of the Wade Trophy, presented to the best female NCAA Division I basketball player who embodies the "Spirit of Margaret Wade." She was also the winner of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, given by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to the nation's top Division I women's player.
2012: AP Player of the Year and Premier Player Award
In her junior season, Brittney Griner was named AP Player of the Year and The 2012 Premier Player of Women's College Basketball.
February 11, 2013: Griner Publicly Comes Out as Lesbian
On February 11, 2013, Griner publicly came out as a lesbian in an interview with SI.com. She also revealed that she was bullied as a child, explaining, "It's hard. Just being picked on for being different. Just being bigger, my sexuality, everything."
April 2013: Potential NBA Interest
In April 2013, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expressed interest in potentially drafting Brittney Griner to the NBA, and Griner expressed interest in the opportunity. However, no official offer to try out was extended by the team.
May 27, 2013: WNBA Debut and Record-Tying Dunks
On May 27, 2013, Brittney Griner made her WNBA debut for the Phoenix Mercury, recording two dunks in a game against the Chicago Sky. This tied Candace Parker's career total for dunks and made Griner the third WNBA player to dunk and the first to dunk twice in a single game.
2013: Griner Plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China
In the 2013-14 off-season, Griner played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the WCBA where 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: Griner Wins Second Ann Meyers Drysdale Award
In 2013, Griner won her second Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, given by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to the nation's top Division I women's player.
2013: Griner Wins ESPY Award for Best Female College Athlete
In 2013, Griner won the ESPY Award for best female college athlete.
2013: Griner Featured on the Cover of ESPN Magazine
In 2013, Griner was featured on the cover of ESPN Magazine. She appeared in "The Taboo Issue". She is pictured holding a snake, which is her favorite animal because they are "misunderstood". She says, "You just have to look at it in a different way."
2013: End of College Career
Brittney Griner's college basketball career at Baylor University ended in 2013 when they lost to the University of Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.
2013: First Overall Pick in WNBA Draft
Brittney Griner was selected as the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury.
June 29, 2014: WNBA Regular Season Block Record
On June 29, 2014, Brittney Griner set a WNBA record with 11 blocks in a single regular season game against the Tulsa Shock. She also scored 21 points and had 8 rebounds in the Mercury win.
August 14, 2014: Griner Engaged to Glory Johnson
On August 14, 2014, Brittney Griner got engaged to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson.
August 24, 2014: First WNBA Playoff Dunk
On August 24, 2014, Brittney Griner became the first WNBA player to dunk in a playoff game, during the Mercury's 93-68 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at Staples Center.
2014: Griner Begins Playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia
In the 2014–15 off-season, Griner began playing in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg with teammate Diana Taurasi.
2014: WNBA Championship and Finals Records
In 2014, the Phoenix Mercury, led by the "Big 3" of Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, had a historic season, finishing with a league record of 29 wins and 5 losses. They went on to win the WNBA championship, sweeping the Chicago Sky in the finals. During the finals series, Griner set WNBA finals records for most blocks in a game (8) and most blocks in a quarter (5).
2014: Griner Named One of ESPNW's Impact 25
In 2014, Griner was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25.
2014: Griner Wins MVP in WCBA All-Star Game and Plays for Beijing Great Wall
In 2014, Griner was named as the MVP of the 2014 WCBA All-Star Game. In the 2014-15 off-season, she played in China for the Beijing Great Wall of the WCBA. Beijing Great Wall finished the season as the runner-up in the playoff.
2014: Griner Included in The Advocate's "40 Under 40" List
In 2014, Griner was included as part of The Advocate's annual "40 under 40" list.
2014: Griner Publishes Memoir "In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court"
In 2014, Griner published a memoir with Sue Hovey addressing bullying and self-acceptance, "In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court".
2014: WNBA Championship with Phoenix Mercury
In 2014, Brittney Griner won the WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury.
2014: First FIBA Women's World Cup Win
Brittney Griner won her first FIBA Women's World Cup with Team USA in 2014.
April 22, 2015: Griner and Johnson Arrested for Assault
On April 22, 2015, Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson were arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct following a fight at their home.
May 8, 2015: Griner Marries Glory Johnson
On May 8, 2015, Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson married in Phoenix, Arizona.
May 15, 2015: Griner Suspended by WNBA for Domestic Violence
On May 15, 2015, Brittney Griner was suspended for seven games by the WNBA and required to complete domestic violence counseling after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct charges.
June 4, 2015: Griner and Johnson Announce Pregnancy
On June 4, 2015, Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson announced they were expecting twins via in-vitro fertilization.
October 12, 2015: Johnson Gives Birth to Twins
On October 12, 2015, Glory Johnson gave birth to premature twin girls.
2015: Griner Wins Back-to-Back Championships with UMMC Ekaterinburg
Griner and UMMC Ekaterinburg won back-to-back championships in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 off-seasons.
2015: Prolific Defensive Season and Playoff Block Record
In 2015, despite missing seven games due to suspension, Brittney Griner averaged a WNBA record 4.0 blocks per game, setting a new league record for blocks in a season and surpassing Margo Dydek's 1998 record. In the playoffs, Griner also set a WNBA playoff record with 11 blocks in a single game (along with 18 points and 8 rebounds) in a game 1 victory against the Tulsa Shock, the same team against whom she had also recorded 11 blocks in a regular season game the previous year.
June 2016: Griner and Johnson's Divorce Finalized
In June 2016, Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson's divorce was finalized.
August 2016: Griner Re-signs with UMMC Ekaterinburg
In August 2016, Griner re-signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2016–17 off-season.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal in Rio
Brittney Griner led the U.S. national women's basketball team to victory at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
2016: Griner Wins Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA
In 2016, Griner played for the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team at the Summer Olympics and earned her first Olympic gold medal as they beat Spain 101–72 in the final.
March 12, 2017: Multi-Year Contract Extension
On March 12, 2017, Brittney Griner re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury on a multi-year deal after her rookie contract expired.
June 7, 2017: Career-High Scoring Performance
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: Griner Re-signs with UMMC Ekaterinburg
In 2017, Griner re-signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2017–18 off-season.
August 2018: Griner Engaged to Cherelle Watson
In August 2018, Brittney Griner became engaged to Cherelle Watson.
2018: Second FIBA Women's World Cup Win
Brittney Griner won her second FIBA Women's World Cup with Team USA in 2018.
2018: Griner Re-signs with UMMC Ekaterinburg for a Fifth Stint
In 2018, Griner returned to UMMC Ekaterinburg for a fifth stint in the 2018–19 off-season.
June 2019: Griner Marries Cherelle Watson
Brittney Griner and Cherelle Watson married in June 2019. Watson later changed her name to Cherelle Griner.
August 25, 2019: Season-High Scoring Performance
On August 25, 2019, Brittney Griner scored a season-high 34 points, though the Mercury lost 94-86 to the Chicago Sky.
2019: Griner Discusses Breaking Barriers for the Next Generation
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: National Anthem Protest
In 2020, Brittney Griner protested "The Star-Spangled Banner" and stated she would not be on the court during the national anthem.
2020: Departure from WNBA Bubble
During the shortened 2020 WNBA season, which was played in a bubble at IMG Academy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brittney Griner left the bubble after 12 games for undisclosed personal reasons.
2020: Griner Calls for WNBA to Stop Playing National Anthem
In 2020, Brittney Griner and teammate Brianna Turner called for the WNBA to stop playing the national anthem before games, as a protest against the killing of Breonna Taylor and as part of the broader George Floyd protests. Griner stated that she did not believe the anthem should be played at sporting events.
2021: Griner Wins Second Olympic Gold Medal
Griner was selected for her second Olympics in 2021, going undefeated and winning the gold medal as part of Team USA.
2021: Griner's Strong Playoff Performance
In 2021, Brittney Griner scored the most points in the playoffs, 240 points, helping the Mercury beat the New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, the first seed Las Vegas Aces and helping the Mercury reach the WNBA finals, where they lost to the Chicago Sky in 4 games.
February 17, 2022: Detainment and Arrest in Russia
On February 17, 2022, Brittney Griner was detained and arrested on smuggling charges by Russian customs officials after cartridges containing less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil were found in her luggage.
November 2022: Transfer to Russian Penal Colony
In November 2022, Brittney Griner was transferred to the Russian penal colony IK-2.
December 2022: Griner Released from Russian Detention
In December 2022, Brittney Griner was released from detention in Russia.
2022: Griner's Incarceration and Release from Russia
In 2022, Griner missed the entire WNBA season due to being incarcerated on drug charges in Russia. She was released in December as part of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia.
May 19, 2023: WNBA Reappearance
On May 19, 2023, Brittney Griner made her reappearance in the WNBA and received a standing ovation.
2023: Griner to Stand for National Anthem
Following her release from detention in Russia, Brittney Griner announced her intention to stand during the playing of the national anthem before every WNBA game in the 2023 season, citing a newfound appreciation for American freedoms.
2023: Time 100 Most Influential People
In 2023, Brittney Griner was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
2023: Griner's Return to the WNBA and All-Star Selection
In 2023, Griner performed well in her return to the WNBA, and was named a starter in the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game, despite the Mercury finishing in last place with a 9-31 record.
February 2024: Baylor University Retires Griner's No. 42 Jersey
In February 2024, Baylor University retired Griner's No. 42 jersey in a ceremony preceding a game versus Texas Tech.