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 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

1998: Previous Record by Margo Dydek

In the 1998 season, Margo Dydek held the previous record before Griner's of blocks per game.

2006: Previous Record of Alison Bales

In 2006, Alison Bales set the previous record of 30 blocks in the NCAA Women's Tournament.

November 11, 2008: High School Record for 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 in Houston

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

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: WBCA All-American

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

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.

2009: High School Player of the Year

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

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.

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.

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.

2012: Wade Trophy and Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

In 2012, Griner was the recipient of the Wade Trophy, awarded to the best female NCAA Division I basketball player. She also won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.

2012: Honda Sports Award and Honda-Broderick Cup

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

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: Second Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

In 2013, Griner won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for a second time. The award is given to the nation's top Division I women's basketball player.

2013: ESPY Award

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

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: Inclusion 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: ESPNW's Impact 25

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.