Brittney Griner Biography: Age, Height, Wife, WNBA Career, Net Worth in 2026

Brittney Griner biography is one of the most searched stories in women’s basketball. The 6-foot-9 Phoenix Mercury legend turned Atlanta Dream star is famous as a dominant WNBA center, Olympic gold medalist, and advocate whose 2022 detention in Russia made global headlines.

From her dunking highlights at Baylor University to championships, Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a powerful comeback on the court, Griner has reshaped what a center can do in the modern game. Here is her full story — age, height, family, wife, career stats, recent activity, and net worth.

Quick Facts

If you follow the WNBA, you already know names trending alongside Brittney Griner biography searches — A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Napheesa Collier. Griner belongs in that elite circle as a veteran leader who paved the way for today’s young stars with her shot-blocking, dunks, and championship pedigree.

Early Life & Education

Brittney Yevette Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, to Raymond Griner, a Harris County sheriff deputy and Marine veteran, and Sandra Griner, a homemaker. She is the youngest of four children and grew up in a disciplined, sports-loving household.

As a child, Griner stood out for her height and athleticism. She played volleyball and soccer before focusing on basketball. At Nimitz High School in Houston, she became a national sensation. Standing 6-foot-8 in high school, she dunked with ease, blocked shots into the stands, and led Nimitz to the Texas 5A state championship game. As a senior, she averaged 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 8.7 blocks per game.

Her YouTube dunk highlights went viral before viral was common, and she was named the No. 1 high school player in America by Rivals.com, a WBCA All-American, and a McDonald’s All-American. She chose Baylor University in Waco, Texas, to play for legendary coach Kim Mulkey.

At Baylor from 2009 to 2013, Griner became one of the greatest college players ever. She set NCAA records for blocks and dunks, won the 2012 NCAA National Championship with a perfect 40-0 season, earned AP Player of the Year twice, and finished as Baylor’s all-time leader in points, blocks, and dunks. She graduated with a degree in education and left as the most dominant defensive force in women’s college basketball history.

Career Journey and Recent Activity in 2026

Brittney Griner career spans college dominance, WNBA stardom, overseas play, Olympic glory, and a remarkable comeback that continues into the 2026 season.

WNBA Draft and Phoenix Mercury Beginnings (2013-2014)

Griner was selected No. 1 overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury. She made an instant impact, earning All-Star honors as a rookie and setting a WNBA record with 8 blocks in a single game. In 2014, alongside Diana Taurasi and Candice Dupree, she led Phoenix to the WNBA Championship, sweeping the Chicago Sky in the Finals. She also won her first WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award that season.

Prime Years and Defensive Dominance (2015-2021)

From 2015 to 2021, Griner established herself as the league’s premier center. She led the WNBA in scoring in 2017 and 2019, led the league in blocks eight times, and was named to multiple All-WNBA First Teams and All-Defensive Teams. Her 6-foot-9 frame, 7-foot-4 wingspan, and soft touch made her nearly unguardable in the paint.

Career highlights during this stretch include:

• WNBA Champion (2014)
• 2x WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2014, 2015)
• WNBA scoring titles in 2017 (21.9 ppg) and 2019 (20.7 ppg)
• 10x WNBA All-Star selection
• WNBA 25th Anniversary Team

She also played overseas in China and Russia during WNBA offseasons, winning EuroLeague titles with UMMC Ekaterinburg and earning significantly higher salaries abroad than in the WNBA — a common path for top women’s players.

Team USA and Olympic Success

Griner has been a cornerstone for USA Basketball. She won Olympic gold medals at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 (played in 2021), and Paris 2024, plus FIBA World Cup golds in 2014 and 2018. Her ability to protect the rim and finish inside made Team USA nearly unbeatable. In Paris 2024, she came off the bench to help the U.S. win its eighth straight Olympic gold.

Detention in Russia and Comeback (2022-2023)

In February 2022, Griner was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after vape cartridges containing hashish oil were found in her luggage. She was playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg at the time. After months of detention and a trial, she was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony. Her case became an international diplomatic crisis.

In December 2022, after 294 days in custody, Griner was released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. She returned home to the U.S. and took time to recover physically and mentally.

In 2023, she made an emotional return to the WNBA with Phoenix, starting all 31 games she played, averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, and earning Comeback Player of the Year honors and another All-Star nod. Fans gave her standing ovations in every arena.

Atlanta Dream Era and Recent Activity in 2026

After 11 seasons with Phoenix, Griner entered free agency in early 2025 and signed with the Atlanta Dream — a major move that shocked the league. In the 2025 season, she provided veteran leadership alongside Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Jordin Canada, helping Atlanta push for the playoffs while averaging double figures in points and leading the team in blocks.

As of September 2026, Brittney Griner remains under contract with the Atlanta Dream and is active for the 2026 WNBA season. She earned her 10th All-Star selection in 2025 and continues to play a key role as a starter and mentor. Off the court in 2026, she has focused on her memoir Coming Home, advocacy for detained Americans, youth basketball camps in Texas and Georgia, and her growing family life with wife Cherelle and their son.

She also participated in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 offseason league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, which gave WNBA stars a high-paying domestic option in 2025 and 2026 instead of going overseas.

Brittney Griner Career Stats Overview

Griner is the WNBA’s all-time leader in blocks per game and total blocks, and one of only a handful of women to dunk in a WNBA game, with more than 20 career dunks.

Personal Life

Brittney Griner personal life has been open and inspiring for many LGBTQ+ fans. She publicly came out as lesbian in 2013 in an interview with Sports Illustrated, becoming one of the first openly gay top athletes signed to a major Nike endorsement deal.

Wife and Marriage

Griner is married to Cherelle Griner (nee Watson), an attorney and law school graduate from North Carolina Central University. The couple met at Baylor and married in June 2019 in Phoenix. Cherelle became a powerful advocate during Brittney’s detention in Russia, appearing on national news and meeting with President Joe Biden to push for her release.

In July 2024, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Bash Raymond Griner. Griner has said motherhood changed her perspective and gave her new motivation on the court in 2025 and 2026.

Previous Relationship and Children

Griner was previously married to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson from May 2015 to 2016. The brief marriage ended in divorce shortly after Johnson gave birth to twins, Ava and Solei, in October 2015. Griner was ordered to pay child support but has had limited public contact with the twins in recent years.

Family Tree

• Father: Raymond Griner – Harris County Sheriff veteran
• Mother: Sandra Griner – passed away from cancer-related illness; Griner wears No. 42 in honor of her father’s badge and family
• Siblings: Shkera, Pier, and D – all older, supportive of her career
• Wife: Cherelle Griner
• Son: Bash Raymond Griner

Dating History

Before her marriages, Griner dated fellow Baylor student Cherelle Watson on and off in college before reuniting later. Her high-profile relationship with Glory Johnson in 2014-2015 drew media attention, including a domestic incident in 2015 that led to both players being suspended for seven games by the WNBA. Griner has since spoken openly about learning and growing from that period.

Hobbies and Community Work

Off the court, Griner loves fishing, skateboarding, playing Xbox and Call of Duty, collecting sneakers, and spending time with her dogs. She runs the BG Heart and Sole Shoe Drive for homeless youth in Phoenix and now Atlanta, and in 2026 she continues to work with Bring Our Families Home to support families of wrongfully detained Americans.

Awards & Achievements

• WNBA Champion (2014 with Phoenix Mercury)
• 10x WNBA All-Star (2013-2015, 2017-2019, 2021, 2023-2025)
• 2x WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2014, 2015)
• 2x WNBA Scoring Champion (2017, 2019)
• 8x WNBA Blocks Leader
• 3x Olympic Gold Medalist (2016, 2020, 2024)
• 2x FIBA World Cup Gold Medalist (2014, 2018)
• WNBA Comeback Player of the Year (2023)
• NCAA Champion (2012 – undefeated 40-0 season)
• 2x AP College Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
• NCAA All-Time Blocks Leader (748 blocks)
• WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021)
• ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete (2012) and Best WNBA Player nominations

Physical Statistics

Brittney Griner height and size are central to her dominance. She stands 6 feet 9 inches tall (2.06 meters) without shoes, weighs around 205 pounds, and has an 88-inch (7-foot-4) wingspan and size 17 men’s shoes. She has an athletic, muscular build, dark brown eyes, and typically wears her long black hair in braids or dreadlocks. She has tattoos on her arms and shoulder, including tributes to her family and faith. Her combination of length, timing, and mobility allows her to block shots without fouling and dunk with two hands in traffic.

Memorable Quotes

“I’m not going to hide who I am. I’m happy with who I am. Being open is a weight off my shoulders.”

“Every time I step on that court, I’m grateful. I never take playing this game for granted anymore.”

“I want to use my platform to bring home every American who is wrongfully detained. No family should go through that alone.”

Controversies

The biggest controversy in Brittney Griner biography is her 2022 arrest in Russia for possession of hashish oil. She pleaded guilty and said it was an unintentional mistake due to hasty packing, but Russian courts sentenced her to nine years. The case sparked debate in the U.S. about athlete pay forcing players overseas, cannabis laws, and prisoner swap politics.

Earlier, in April 2015, Griner and then-fiancee Glory Johnson were arrested after a domestic dispute in Arizona. Both pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, completed counseling, and served a seven-game WNBA suspension. Griner later apologized publicly.

Her 2022 prisoner exchange for Viktor Bout also drew political criticism, with some arguing the trade was unequal because former Marine Paul Whelan was not included. Griner has since advocated for Whelan and other detainees.

Favorites

• Favorite Food: Southern comfort food – fried chicken, mac and cheese
• Favorite Movie: Love & Basketball and Jurassic Park
• Favorite Music: Hip-hop – Drake, Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion
• Favorite Player Growing Up: Allen Iverson and Shaquille O’Neal
• Favorite Sneaker: Nike BG 1s – her own signature shoe line
• Favorite Vacation Spot: Hawaii and Turks and Caicos
• Favorite Hobby: Fishing and video games

Earnings and Net Worth in 2026

Brittney Griner net worth in 2026 is estimated at $5 million, based on WNBA salaries, overseas contracts, endorsements, and book royalties. While exact figures vary, most sports business outlets place her between $4 million and $5 million as of 2026.

Her WNBA base salary for 2025 with the Atlanta Dream was reported around $214,466, the veteran supermax level. Earlier in her career, she earned far more overseas — reportedly over $1 million per season with UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, plus bonuses for EuroLeague titles. In China, she also earned a high six-figure deal in 2013-2014.

Endorsements add significant income. Griner has a long-term Nike deal, including her own Nike BG signature shoe released in 2024, plus partnerships with AT&T, Beats by Dre, and sports drink brands. Her 2024 memoir Coming Home became a bestseller and added royalties and speaking fees in 2025 and 2026.

Compared to top earners like A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, whose endorsement portfolios exceed $2 million annually, Griner’s earnings are modest but stable, boosted by veteran contracts, Unrivaled league pay in the 2025-2026 offseason, and advocacy work.

Interesting Facts

• She is the only NCAA player to record 2,000 points and 500 blocks in a career.
• She dunked 18 times in college — more than any woman in NCAA history — and has over 20 dunks in the WNBA.
• She wears No. 42 to honor her father Raymond, whose sheriff badge number inspired her college and pro jersey.
• She can play the skateboard and once said if she wasn’t a basketball player, she’d be a professional skateboarder or game designer.
• She appeared on the cover of ESPN The Magazine and in the ESPN Body Issue.
• In 2026, she remains the WNBA’s all-time blocks leader with over 800 career blocks.
• She learned to speak basic Russian during her years playing in Ekaterinburg.

Did You Know Already?

• Did you know Brittney Griner was bullied as a teen for her height and deep voice, and now uses her story to inspire LGBTQ+ youth?
• Did you know she boycotted playing the national anthem protest in 2020, then stood for it in 2023 after her detention, saying it hits different now?
• Did you know her wife Cherelle graduated law school while Brittney was detained and passed the bar in 2022?
• Did you know Griner’s son Bash was born in July 2024, just weeks before she won Olympic gold in Paris?

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @brittneyyevettegriner – Verified, 2M+ followers with family, Dream, and advocacy updates
• X (Twitter): @brittneygriner – Verified, official statements and game posts
• Facebook: Brittney Griner – Verified athlete page
• TikTok: @brittneygriner – Highlights and behind-the-scenes clips
• WNBA Profile: Official Atlanta Dream roster page for 2026 stats and schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Brittney Griner in 2026?

Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990. As of September 2026, she is 35 years old and will turn 36 in October 2026.

How tall is Brittney Griner?

Brittney Griner height is 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters), making her one of the tallest players in WNBA history. Her wingspan is 7 feet 4 inches, which helps her lead the league in blocks.

Who is Brittney Griner wife?

Her wife is Cherelle Griner, an attorney, author, and advocate. They married in 2019 and share a son, Bash, born in 2024. Cherelle played a key role in securing Brittney’s release from Russia.

What team does Brittney Griner play for in 2026?

In 2026, Brittney Griner plays for the Atlanta Dream. She joined Atlanta as a free agent in 2025 after spending 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury from 2013 to 2024.

What is Brittney Griner net worth?

As of 2026, Brittney Griner net worth is estimated at $5 million from WNBA salary, past overseas contracts in Russia and China, Nike endorsements, and her bestselling memoir.

Why was Brittney Griner in jail in Russia?

She was detained in February 2022 for carrying vape cartridges with hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia. She was sentenced to nine years but released in December 2022 in a U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange after 294 days.

Conclusion

Brittney Griner biography in 2026 is a story of talent, resilience, and growth — from Houston high school phenom to Baylor champion, WNBA champion, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and proud mom. Whether you admire her blocks and dunks or her courage off the court, her impact on basketball and culture is lasting.

If you found this Brittney Griner bio helpful, please share it with fellow WNBA fans and leave a comment with your favorite BG moment!

Key Sources

• WNBA Official Player Profile and Stats
• ESPN WNBA Coverage and Interviews
• Associated Press Reporting on Court Proceedings and Team USA
• Official Memoir Coming Home and Verified Player Interviews