Brittney Griner is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m), she is the tallest active player in the WNBA. She is also the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, and is one of the nine players in league history to be named to the All-Rookie Team and an All-Star in her first season.

Early life

Griner was born on October 18, 1992, in Houston, Texas. She is the only child of Sandra Griner and Raymond Griner. She has two older half-brothers, one from her mother’s previous marriage and another from her father’s previous marriage. She was raised by her mother and her stepfather, Ronald Holmes, a former NBA player.

Griner grew up in a rough neighborhood and was a tomboy growing up. She began playing basketball at the age of 9, and her height began to attract attention from her peers. When she was 13 years old, she was 6 feet tall (1.83 m), and by the time she was in high school, she was 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m).

High school career

Griner attended Nimitz High School in Houston, Texas, where she played basketball for the Lady Cougars. In her freshman year, she was named the District Newcomer of the Year. As a sophomore, she was named the District Defensive Player of the Year.

In her junior year, she led the Lady Cougars to a 32-1 record and a perfect 16-0 mark in district play. They won the Class 5A state championship, and she was named the tournament MVP. She was also named a McDonald’s All-American, becoming the first player in school history to receive the honor.

In her senior year, Griner averaged 22.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 3.5 assists per game. She was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and the WBCA High School Player of the Year. She was also a unanimous first-team All-American.

College career

Griner committed to play basketball at Baylor University, where she played for the Lady Bears from 2010 to 2013. As a freshman, she was named the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press (AP), the WBCA, and ESPN.

In her sophomore year, Griner was once again named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named a first-team All-American by the AP, the WBCA, and ESPN.

As a junior, Griner led the Lady Bears to a 40-0 record and a national championship. She was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She was also named a first-team All-American by the AP, the WBCA, and ESPN.

In her senior year, Griner was once again named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named a first-team All-American by the AP, the WBCA, and ESPN. She was also named the espnW Player of the Year.

Griner finished her college career as the NCAA’s all-time leader in blocks (718) and the only player in NCAA history (male or female) with 2,000 points and 500 blocks. She is also Baylor’s all-time leading scorer (2,525 points) and rebounder (1,280).

Professional career

WNBA

Griner was selected by the Phoenix Mercury with the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. She was the first player in franchise history to be drafted first overall.

In her rookie season, Griner averaged 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. She was named to the All-Rookie Team and was selected to play in the All-Star Game.

In her second season, Griner averaged 15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. She was once again selected to play in the All-Star Game.

In her third season, Griner averaged 21.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game. She was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for June and July. She was also selected to play in the All-Star Game.

In her fourth season, Griner averaged 23.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game. She was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for May, June, and July. She was also selected to play in the All-Star Game.

In her fifth season, Griner averaged 21.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game. She was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for June and July. She was also selected to play in the All-Star Game.

In her sixth season, Griner averaged 18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. She was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for May and June. She was also selected to play in the All-Star Game.

In her seventh season, Griner averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. She was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for June and July. She was also selected to play in the All-Star Game.

Olympics

Griner was a member of the United States national team that won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Personal life

Griner has been open about her sexuality, and in April 2013 she came out as a lesbian. In August 2013, she announced her engagement to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson. The couple wed on May 8, 2016, but Johnson filed for an annulment just 28 days later.

In July 2017, Griner and Johnson announced that they were expecting twins. The twins, a boy and a girl, were born on October 12, 2017.

In April 2019, Griner filed for divorce from Johnson.

In May 2020, Griner announced her engagement to fellow WNBA player Cayla George.

Awards and honors

WNBA

* 9× All-Star: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
* 3× All-WNBA First Team: 2014, 2015, 2016
* 2× All-WNBA Second Team: 2018, 2019
* All-Rookie Team: 2013
* 3× Defensive Player of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2015
* 6× Western Conference Player of the Month: May 2014, June 2014, July 2014, June 2015, July 2015, June 2016

College

* 4× First-team All-American: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
* 2× Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year: 2010, 2011
* 4× Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year: 2010

USA Basketball

* Olympic Gold Medal: 2012

High school

* Gatorade National Player of the Year: 2010
* WBCA High School Player of the Year: 2010
* McDonald’s All-American: 2010
* Naismith Prep Player of the Year: 2010

See also

* List of tallest women in professional basketball
* List of tallest players in WNBA history

References

– Brittney Griner – Biography (https://www.biography.com/athlete/brittney-griner).
– Brittney Griner Stats, News, Bio (https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/2375/brittney-griner).
– Brittney Griner – Women’s Basketball – Baylor University Athletics (https://baylorbears.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brittney-griner/1189).
– WNBA Draft 2013 First and Second Rounds Results (https://www.wnba.com/news/2013-wnba-draft-first-and-second-rounds-results/).
– Brittney Griner Named To 2013 WNBA All-Rookie Team (https://www.wnba.com/news/brittney-griner-named-to-2013-wnba-all-rookie-team/).
– Brittney Griner to Start in WNBA All-Star Game (https://www.wnba.com/news/brittney-griner-to-start-in-wnba-all-star-game/).
– Brittney Griner of Mercury is Western Conference Player of Month (https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2015/07/01/brittney-griner-phoenix-mercury-western-conference-player-month/29549625/).

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