Brittney Griner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Brittney Griner

Griner with the Phoenix Mercury in 2019
No. 42 – Atlanta Dream
Center
Personal information
Born	(1990-10-18) October 18, 1990 (age 34) Houston, Texas, U.S.
High school	Nimitz (Houston, Texas)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Listed weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
College	Baylor (2009–2013)
NBA Draft	2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Phoenix Mercury
Pro career	2013–present
League	WNBA
Career history
2013–2024	Phoenix Mercury
2013–2014	Zhejiang Golden Bulls
2014–2015	Beijing Great Wall
2015–2022	UMMC Ekaterinburg
2025–present	Phantom BC
2025–present	Atlanta Dream
Career highlights and awards
WNBA champion (2014) 10× WNBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021–2024) 2× WNBA scoring champion (2017, 2019) 8× WNBA blocks leader (2013–2019, 2021) 2× WNBA Peak Performer (2017, 2019) 3× All-WNBA First Team (2014, 2019, 2021) 3× All-WNBA Second Team (2015, 2017, 2018) 2× WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2014, 2015) 3× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2014, 2015, 2018) 4× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2013) WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021) 3× Russian National League champion (2015–2017) 4× EuroLeague champion (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021) Russian Cup winner (2017) NCAA champion (2012) NCAA Tournament MOP (2012) 2x Naismith College Player of the Year (2012, 2013) 2× Wade Trophy Player of the Year (2012, 2013) 2x John R. Wooden Award (2012, 2013) 2x AP Player of the Year (2012, 2013) 2x USBWA National Player of the Year (2012, 2013) Honda Sports Award (2012) Honda-Broderick Cup (2012) 3x WBCA Defensive Player of the Year (2011–2013) 3x All-American – USBWA, State Farm/WBCA Coaches' (2011–2013) 3× First-team All-American – AP (2011–2013) Second-team All-American – AP (2010) 3× Big 12 Player of the Year (2011–2013) 4× Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2010–2013) 3x Big 12 Tournament MOP (2011, 2012, 2013) 4x First-team All-Big 12 (2010–2013) 4x Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2010–2013) USBWA National Freshman of the Year (2010) Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2010) Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2010) McDonald's All-American (2009) WBCA High School Player of the Year (2009)
Medals Women's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team Gold 2020 Tokyo Team Gold 2024 Paris Team World Cup Gold 2014 Turkey Gold 2018 Spain

Griner accepting Wade Trophy at the WBCA Awards show in Denver Colorado 2012

Brittney Yvette Griner (born October 18, 1990) is an American professional basketball player. She plays for the Atlanta Dream in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She also plays for Phantom BC in Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 league.

Brittney is a three-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women's national basketball team. She has also been a WNBA All-Star ten times. In 2023, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

In 2009, experts called Griner the best high school women's basketball player in the country. She joined the All-American basketball team. She played college basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears. In 2012, she had an amazing junior year. She was named the AP Player of the Year and won the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. She led Baylor to win the National Championship. Griner is the only NCAA basketball player to score over 2,000 points and block over 500 shots.

In 2013, the Phoenix Mercury picked Griner as the first player in the 2013 WNBA draft. She helped them win the WNBA championship in 2014. Brittney is very tall, standing 6 ft 9 in (206 cm). She wears a men's U.S. size 17 shoe. Her arm span is 87.5 in (222 cm).

Griner helped the U.S. national women's basketball team win gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016. She won her second gold medal at the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 in Tokyo). She earned her third gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 Olympics in France. She also helped Team USA win the FIBA Women's World Cup twice (2014 and 2018).

In February 2022, Griner was arrested in Russia. She was playing basketball there during the WNBA off-season. U.S. officials said she was "wrongfully detained." She was released in December 2022 in a prisoner exchange. She returned to the WNBA in May 2023. Fans gave her a huge welcome.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Her father, Raymond Griner, was a deputy sheriff. Her mother is Sandra Griner. Brittney has three older brothers and sisters.

She went to Nimitz High School in Houston. She played basketball and volleyball. Starting in her second year, Griner practiced with the boys' basketball team. She also worked with a football coach to get stronger. This helped her learn to dunk.

When she was a junior, a video of her dunks became very popular online. It was watched over 6.6 million times. This led to her meeting famous basketball player Shaquille O'Neal.

In her senior year, Griner led her team to the Texas 5A state championship game. She dunked 52 times in 32 games that year. She set a record by dunking seven times in one game. On November 11, 2008, she blocked 25 shots in a game. This was the most ever by a female high school player in the U.S. In the 2008–09 season, she blocked 318 shots, which was a record for a single season.

Griner was named a WBCA All-American. She played in the 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game. She scored 20 points and got 9 rebounds in that game.

College Basketball Career

Griner played college basketball at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. As a freshman, she set a record with 223 blocked shots in one season. This showed she was one of the best shot blockers ever in women's basketball. On December 16, 2009, Griner achieved Baylor's first triple-double. She had 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 blocked shots.

In January 2010, she became only the seventh woman to dunk in a college game. She was also the second woman to dunk twice in one college game. This happened in a big 99–18 win against Texas State University.

Baylor entered the NCAA Tournament as a 4th seed. They beat top-seeded Tennessee. On March 22, Griner set an NCAA tournament record. She blocked 14 shots in a win against the Georgetown Hoyas. Baylor reached the Final Four but lost to UConn. Griner was named an AP Second Team All-American.

As a sophomore, Griner was named First Team All-American. She averaged 23 points per game. Her season ended with a loss to Texas A&M University.

In her junior season (2011–12), Griner averaged 23.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game. She blocked more shots than any other Division I women's team that season. Griner was named AP Player of the Year.

On April 3, 2012, Griner led Baylor to win the Division I Women's Basketball Championship. They beat Notre Dame 80–61. Griner was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. Baylor finished the season with 40 wins, which was a record for NCAA history.

Her college career ended in 2013 when Baylor lost to the University of Louisville Cardinals. She earned her bachelor's degree in education in 2019.

College Statistics

†	NCAA championship
	NCAA record

Year	Rebounds		Blocks		Points		Notable stats.
	Total	Season high	Total	Season high	Total	Season high
2009–10	297	21	223	14	644	34	NCAA record for blocks in a season
2010–11	290	15	170	10	852	40
2011–12†	379	15	206	9	929	45
2012–13	339	15	149	7	858	50
Career	1,305		748	3,283		NCAA record for career blocks (men and women)

Professional Basketball Career

Griner dunking at the 2015 WNBA All-Star game held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut

Brittney Griner is one of the tallest players in the WNBA. Only a few players have been taller than her 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) height. These include Margo Dydek, Bernadett Határ, and Han Xu.

WNBA Highlights

2013 Season

The Phoenix Mercury chose Griner as the first pick in the 2013 WNBA draft. In her first game on May 27, 2013, she dunked twice. This tied the WNBA record for dunks in a game. She became the third WNBA player to dunk. She was a strong defensive player, blocking 3.0 shots per game. Griner was named a WNBA All-Star.

2014 Championship Season

In 2014, Griner's performance improved. She averaged 15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. On June 29, 2014, she set a WNBA record with 11 blocks in one game. This was against the Tulsa Shock. On August 24, 2014, Griner became the first WNBA player to dunk in a playoff game.

The 2014 season was amazing for the Mercury. With Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, they were a powerful team. They finished with a 29–5 record, a WNBA record for wins. They swept the Chicago Sky 3–0 in the WNBA finals. This won the Mercury their third championship. Griner set WNBA finals records in Game 1 with 8 blocks.

2015 Defensive Record

In 2015, Griner missed the first seven games. But she had the best defensive season in WNBA history. She averaged a record 4.0 blocks per game. This broke Margo Dydek's record from 1998. The Mercury made it to the playoffs. Griner set another WNBA playoff record with 11 blocks in a game. This was against the Tulsa Shock. The Mercury lost to the Minnesota Lynx in the second round.

2016 Playoff Run

With Diana Taurasi back in 2016, the Mercury had a good playoff run. Griner averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. She also recorded the sixth triple-double in WNBA history. This happened in a win against the Atlanta Dream. The Mercury were the number 8 seed. They upset the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty. They reached the semifinals but were swept by the Minnesota Lynx.

2017 Scoring Leader

On March 12, 2017, Griner signed a new contract with the Mercury. In 2017, she had her best season yet. On June 7, 2017, Griner scored a career-high 38 points. She also had 9 rebounds in a win against the Indiana Fever. Griner led the league in scoring with 21.9 points per game. She also led the league in blocks for the fifth year in a row. The Mercury reached the semifinals but lost to the Los Angeles Sparks.

2018 All-Star Season

In 2018, Griner played all 34 games. She was voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game. On August 18, 2018, Griner scored a season-high 33 points. She also had 18 rebounds and 7 blocks. This was her first season shooting from beyond the three-point line. Griner led the league in blocks for the sixth year. The Mercury reached the semifinals but lost to the Seattle Storm.

2019 Scoring and Blocks Leader

In 2019, Griner was voted into the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game. On August 25, 2019, she scored a season-high 34 points. By the end of the season, Griner led the league in scoring for the second time. She also led the league in blocks for the seventh year in a row. The Mercury lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Chicago Sky. Griner left the game with a knee injury.

2020 Shortened Season

The 2020 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After 12 games, Griner left the "bubble" for personal reasons. Without her, the Mercury made it to the second round of the playoffs. They lost to the Minnesota Lynx.

2021 WNBA Finals Appearance

In 2021, the Mercury were the 4th seed in their conference. Griner averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She scored the most points in the playoffs, with 240 points. She helped the Mercury reach the WNBA finals. They lost to the Chicago Sky in 4 games.

2023 Return to Play

Griner did not play in the 2022 season. She returned to the WNBA in 2023. She played well and was named a starter in the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game. She played in 31 games, averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

2025 Season with Atlanta Dream

It was announced on January 28, 2025, that Griner signed a one-year deal. She will play for the Atlanta Dream in the upcoming season.

Playing Overseas

Griner has also played basketball overseas during the WNBA off-season. In 2013–14, she played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. She earned much more money playing there than in the WNBA. She was named the MVP of the 2014 WCBA All-Star Game. In 2014–15, she played for the Beijing Great Wall in China.

From 2014 to 2022, Griner played in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg. Her teammate Diana Taurasi also played there. They won championships together.

Unrivaled League

On October 2, 2024, it was announced that Griner would play in Unrivaled. This is a new women's 3-on-3 basketball league. She plays for Phantom. On March 3, Griner made the first dunk in Unrivaled history.

National Team Career

In September 2011, Griner played for the U.S. national team. She was the only college player on the team at that time. She averaged 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

In 2016, she played for the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team. They won her first Olympic gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio. They beat Spain 101–72 in the final. She became one of only 11 players to win an Olympic gold medal, FIBA World Cup gold medal, WNBA title, and NCAA title.

Griner was chosen for her second Olympics in 2021. Team USA went undefeated and won the gold medal.

In June 2024, Griner was again named to the US women's Olympic team. They competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France. She helped the United States beat France 67–66 in the final. This earned Griner her third straight Olympic gold medal. It was also the United States' eighth consecutive gold medal.

Awards and Recognition

Griner was named the top high school player in the country by Rivals.com. She was featured on the cover of ESPN magazine. She also won the 2013 ESPY Award for best female college athlete. She received the Honda Sports Award for basketball in 2012. She also won the overall Honda-Broderick Cup for all sports.

She won the Wade Trophy in 2012. This award goes to the best female NCAA Division I basketball player. She also won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award in 2012 and 2013. This award is given by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Griner is known for bringing more attention to women's basketball because of her ability to dunk. She holds the NCAA record for career dunks with 18 total. She passed Candace Parker for this record.

• 2009—WBCA High School Coaches' All-America Team
• 2011—WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year
• 2012—WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year
• 2013—WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year
• 2014—FIBA World Championship All-Star Five

In 2014, The Advocate magazine included Griner in their "40 under 40" list. The WNBA also included Griner in The W25. This list features the best players from the league's first 25 years. She was also named one of ESPNW's Impact 25 in 2014.

In February 2024, Baylor University honored Griner by retiring her No. 42 jersey. This means no other player at Baylor will wear that number.

Personal Life

Brittney Griner has spoken about her experiences with bullying as a child. She explained that it was hard being picked on for being different. She is very passionate about helping children. She wants to bring attention to the issue of bullying.

In 2013, Griner was on the cover of ESPN Magazine. She was pictured with a snake, which is her favorite animal. She said snakes are "misunderstood" and that "You just have to look at it in a different way."

Her deal with Nike was special. It was the first time Nike signed a deal with an openly gay athlete. Griner often models clothes designed for men for Nike. A Nike spokesman said they were excited to work with her because she "breaks the mold."

In 2020, Griner and her teammate Brianna Turner suggested the WNBA stop playing the national anthem before games. Griner said she was protesting for social justice. She later changed her decision after her time in Russia. She now stands for the anthem. She has said her experiences made her appreciate "uniquely American freedoms." She still supports those who choose to protest.

In 2024, Griner and her wife Cherelle announced they were expecting a baby. In July 2024, Cherelle gave birth to their son, Bash.

WNBA Career Statistics

†	Denotes season(s) in which Griner won a WNBA championship
	WNBA record

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TO	PPG
2013	Phoenix	27	27	25.9	.556	—	.724	6.3	1.0	0.4	3.0°	1.7	14.5
2014†	Phoenix	34	34	30.7	.578	—	.802	8.0	1.6	0.6	3.7°	1.9	15.6
2015	Phoenix	26	26	30.7	.565	—	.773	8.1	1.3	0.3	4.0	2.1	15.1
2016	Phoenix	34	34	29.2	.548	—	.831	6.5	1.0	0.3	3.1°	2.0	14.5
2017	Phoenix	26	26	31.5	.577	—	.812	7.6	1.9	0.6	2.5°	2.4	21.9
2018	Phoenix	34	34	32.6	.544	.250	.800	7.7	2.1	0.5	2.6°	2.3	20.5
2019	Phoenix	31	31	32.8	.564	.333	.808	7.2	2.4	0.7	2.0°	2.4	20.7°
2020	Phoenix	12	12	31.8	.497	.000	.809	7.5	3.0	0.3	1.8	2.5	17.7
2021	Phoenix	30	30	32.8	.575	.444	.846	9.5	2.7	0.4	1.9°	2.2	20.5
2022	Did not appear in league (detained abroad)
2023	Phoenix	31	31	27.6	.579°	.111	.772	6.3	2.2	0.5	1.6	2.1	17.5
2024	Phoenix	30	30	28.7	.579°	.500	.777	6.6	2.3	0.5	1.5	1.8	17.8
Career	11 years, 1 team	315	315	30.4	.562	.364	.799	7.4	1.9	0.5	2.6	2.1	17.7
	All-Star	7	5	15.5	.593	.176	.500	7.1	0.9	0.3	1.4	0.9	15.1

Playoffs

Images for kids

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  Fans at the 2022 NWSL Championship were invited to write letters to Griner.

See also

In Spanish: Brittney Griner para niños