Brittney Griner's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Brittney Griner. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

Sections (4)

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

1998: Margo Dydek's Blocks Record

In 1998, Margo Dydek held the WNBA record for blocks before Brittney Griner surpassed it in 2015.

2006: Alison Bales Held NCAA Women's Tournament Record

In 2006, Duke's Alison Bales previously held the record of 30 blocks in the NCAA Women's Tournament, before Brittney Griner surpassed it.

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.

May 7, 2009: Brittney Griner Day

On May 7, 2009, Houston mayor Bill White declared it Brittney Griner Day, recognizing her achievements in basketball.

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.

2009: Named Nation's No. 1 High School Women's Basketball 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 her as a top prospect.

2009: Named number-one high school player by Rivals.com

In 2009, Griner was recognized as the top high school player in the country by Rivals.com and was featured on the cover of ESPN's Rise magazine. Additionally, she was selected by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as the 2009 State Farm/WBCA High School Player of the Year.

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.

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: Recipient of Wade Trophy and Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

In 2012, Brittney Griner received the Wade Trophy, awarded to the best female NCAA Division I basketball player, and also won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, given to the nation's top Division I women's player.

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.

2012: Awards

In 2012, Griner won the Honda Sports Award for basketball and the overall Honda-Broderick Cup for all sports.

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: Winner of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

In 2013, Brittney Griner won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for the second consecutive year. The award is given by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to the nation's top Division I women's player.

2013: Won the ESPY Award for best female college athlete

In 2013, Griner won the ESPY Award for best female college athlete.

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: Included in The Advocate's "40 under 40" list

In 2014, Brittney Griner was included in The Advocate's annual "40 under 40" list.

2014: Named one of ESPNW's Impact 25

In 2014, Brittney Griner was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25.

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.

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.

2016: Won Olympic gold medal at Summer Olympics

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.

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.

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.

December 2022: Released from detention in Russia

In December 2022, Brittney Griner was released from detention in Russia as part of a prisoner swap, leading her to champion the return of others detained in foreign countries.

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 one of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2023, Brittney Griner was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, highlighting her impact beyond basketball.