Arunaditya is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. Having completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Multimedia Journalism from IIJNM, Arunaditya aspires to be an important voice in the world of MMA and interview the likes of Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, and other such superstars of the sport. He has followed the sport for over a decade and is an ardent fan of Georges St-Pierre, who he believes is the greatest of all time. Given his degree in Journalism, Arunaditya would love to approach his stories in an unbiased manner and would be open to suggestions from the fans. Other than following sports, Arunaditya can be found gaming or watching movies or tv shows.

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is all over the news currently. She started making headlines when she was a prospect coming into the WNBA draft. However, her actions on the basketball court are not the primary reason behind all the criticism she is facing. Griner was detained in Russia a few months ago when the officials detained her for carrying illegal drugs. The Russian Federal Customs Service claims to have found vape cartridges containing the marijuana concentrate hashish oil in Griner’s luggage. (Source: CBS Sports) [https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/brittney-griner-situation-explained-wnba-stars-russian-teammate-club-director-serve-as-character-witnesses/] READ MORE: “LeBron James Should Join Brittney Griner in Her Russian Jail Cell”: Donald Trump Endorsed Author Launches Vicious Attack [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-lebron-james-should-join-brittney-griner-in-her-russian-jail-cell-donald-trump-endorsed-author-launches-vicious-attack/] Following a court order in a Russian court a few days ago, Griner has been detained there. This has triggered lots of attention from both the NBA world and outside of it. LeBron James [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lebron-james/] most famously gave his opinions regarding the situation a few days ago. Apart from being one of the best athletes in the league, Griner is also quite vocal about social issues, particularly the LGBTQ community. She talks about her life as a lesbian openly and also touches upon how society views her. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/grinerrrrr.jpg] Moreover, Griner was also subjected to discrimination growing up. Her father was not open to accepting Griner for who she was and this caused the Phoenix star to suffer mentally. Her father, Ray, once declared that he “wasn’t raising any lesbian.” “My dad always told me to just be who I was, but I don’t think he knew exactly how I took it,” said Griner [https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/interviews/a12606/brittney-griner-profile/]. “He finally got on board that either you accept your daughter and take her for what she is and you unconditionally love her, or you’re not going to have her,” according to her best friend from high school. HOW GOOD IS BRITTNEY GRINER? Brittney Griner was already a star before she made her entry into the league. Playing for her college team, she has a record of having over 2,000 points and 500 blocks. She was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury during the 2013 draft as the first overall pick. In her 9 seasons in the WNBA, Griner averages [https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/g/grinebr01w.html] 17.7 points, 1.8 assists, and 7.6 rebounds. WATCH THIS STORY: Shaquille ONeal Won 3 Finals MVPs in His NBA Career: Top 5 Players With most NBA Finals MVPs [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/nba-basketball-news-shaquille-oneal-won-3-finals-mvps-in-his-nba-career-top-5-players-with-most-nba-finals-mvps/] What is your favorite memory of Brittney Griner? Let us know in the comments down below. 

Controversial WNBA star Brittney Griner was not accepted by her father due to
her gender. Read more to find out about her basketball achievements.

Abhinava is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his
Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication. Abhinava has been following NBA
for the past 6 years and is a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen
Curry. Abhinava is an avid follower of football and basketball and looks up to
Andres Iniesta and Michael Jordan as his idols. In his free time, Abhinava can
be seen on the football pitch or playing his guitar.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Abhinava-1.png

Abhinava Ghosh

strong

YouTube video player

iframe

Brittney Griner, Who Has Openly Bashed Gender Norms, Once Confessed Ugly Dispute
With Father: “Accept Your Daughter and Take Her for What She Is”

Caitlin Clark No More a Lucky Charm As Boyfriend Connor McCaffery’s Butler Left
Heartbroken by UConn

Savannah James In Awe With Millions More as 10-Year-Old Zhuri Takes LeBron’s
Legacy Across Sports

Angel Reese Finally Catches Caitlin Clark’s Shadow as She Teases Exciting
Multi-Million Dollar Collab

Dennis Rodman’s Ex-Wife Breaks Silence Over Daughter Trinity’s Scathing
Accusations With 1 Word

Isiah Thomas Announces Debut Into $3.5 Trillion Dollar Industry After Massive
Success With Champagne Brand

Basketball

Basketball Archives

Basketball Archives - EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/es_circle_black_logo.png

title

Controversial WNBA star Brittney Griner was not accepted by her father due to her gender. Read more to find out about her basketball achievements.

description

link

Brittney Griner, Who Has Openly Bashed Gender Norms, Once Confessed Ugly Dispute With Father: “Accept Your Daughter and Take Her for What She Is”

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-brittney-griner-who-has-openly-bashed-gender-norms-once-confessed-ugly-dispute-with-father-accept-your-daughter-and-take-her-for-what-she-is/

https://www.facebook.com/essentiallysports

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/123710532_grinerend.jpg

twitter:card

twitter:creator

twitter:site

twitter:label1

twitter:data1

script

<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Brittney Griner 2023: Net Worth, Salary, Endorsements, and More</strong></h2>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner Net Worth 2023</b></h2>
Brittney Griner is a WNBA center who has played for the Phoenix Mercury for 10 seasons. Griner was the Number 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft after playing four years of college basketball with the Baylor Lady Bears.

<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner holds an estimated net worth of $5 million. She has accumulated this net worth through basketball, deals and endorsements. With the Phoenix Mercury, she has earned approximately $227,000 annually in salary. Since 2013, Griner has amassed a total of over $1.5 million in WNBA earnings during her illustrious ten-year tenure in the league.</span>

[caption id="attachment_1757708" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1757708 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-05-20T022710Z_472112911_MT1USATODAY20705955_RTRMADP_3_WNBA-PHOENIX-MERCURY-AT-LOS-ANGELES-SPARKS.jpg" alt="Brittney Griner" width="1920" height="1411" /> May 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

<span style="font-weight: 400">The 2014 WNBA champion inked a one-year deal worth $165,100 with the Mercury during the 2022-23 offseason. As Griner faced detainment in Russia, the WNBA made a noteworthy decision where she received her complete 2022 salary, which amounted to almost $228,000.</span>

In 2012, Griner received the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. She is the only NCAA basketball player to both score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. In 2012, the three-time All-American was named the AP Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Griner is one of 11 women to receive an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, a FIBA World Cup gold medal, and a WNBA championship.
<h2><b>Brittney Griner's</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> </span><b>Early Life </b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner exhibited her basketball prowess from an early age. She commenced her basketball journey when she was only nine years old, showcasing a natural talent for the sport that would become her passion. Although her family moved around, living in various states, including Oklahoma and Arizona, they ultimately returned to their Texas roots, where she attended Houston's Nimitz High School.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">In her sophomore year, Griner defied expectations by practicing with the boys' basketball team and simultaneously collaborating with a Nimitz football coach to develop her leg strength for dunking. Her remarkable dunks, highlighted in a viral YouTube video during her junior season, captured the attention of basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal, who expressed interest in meeting her.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Following a successful tenure on her high school's varsity basketball team, Brittney Griner garnered widespread recognition from college scouts nationwide. As a result, she received a coveted scholarship offer to join Baylor University's basketball program.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner's family and personal life</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Raised alongside three older siblings (Decarlo Griner, Shkera Griner, and Pier Griner) by parents Sandra and Raymond Griner, her father's role as a two-tour Vietnam War veteran and Harris County deputy sheriff instilled principles of discipline and dedication in her.</span>

Griner <a href="https://www.espn.in/wnba/story/_/id/9185633/brittney-griner-comes-says-just-are" target="_blank" rel="noopener">came out</a> as a lesbian in an interview in February 2013. She has been a trailblazer for the LGBTQ community and her coming out paved the way for many future athletes to do the same. She signed an endorsement deal with Nike in 2013 becoming the first openly gay athlete to be endorsed by the apparel giant. During her first marriage with former Tulsa Shock player Glory Johnson, the couple had two twins, Ava and Solei. Griner and Johnson got divorced in June 2016.

<span style="font-weight: 400">Brittney is currently married to Cherelle Griner. Reportedly, the couple got married in 2019. Cherelle is a former teacher who graduated from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. She passed the bar in April 2023.</span>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Brittney Griner's WNBA career</h2>
In the 2013 WNBA draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Griner as the first overall pick. Griner would flourish in her rookie season, being named a WNBA all-star. In her debut, Griner equaled the WNBA dunk record with two dunks in the same game. The following season, she became the first WNBA player to dunk in a Playoff game. The Phoenix Mercury set the record for most wins in a season as they finished with a record of 29-5. Behind the big 3 of Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, the Mercury won their third championship in franchise history.

[caption id="attachment_1151204" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1151204 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/rawImage-12-15.jpg" alt="Brittney Griner and Brianna Turner" width="1920" height="1440" /> LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 30: Brittney Griner #42 and Brianna Turner #21 of the Phoenix Mercury talk on the bench in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)[/caption]

Griner would go on to set various records over the next few years, especially on the defensive end. However, the Mercury always came up short in the Playoffs. She is an eight-time Blocks leader and two-time scoring champion. On top of that, she has made the All-Star team nine times in her glittering career.

During the WNBA offseason, Griner played overseas. After playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China for 1 year, Griner signed with <span class="rt-commentedText tooltip tooltip-dotted" title="Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company">UMMC</span> Ekaterinburg in Russia. She won back-to-back championships there along with teammate Diana Taurasi. Following her detention in Russia, she announced she would never play overseas again unless for Team USA.
<h2><b>Brittney Griner's career timeline</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">The 19-year-old Griner led Nimitz High School to the Texas 5A girls' basketball state championship game in 2009, though they fell short. Griner, standing at 6-foot-7, made an astonishing 52 dunks during her senior year, including seven in a single game against Aldine High School.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">During her freshman year at Baylor, Griner set an NCAA single-season record with 223 blocks and became just the seventh women's basketball player to dunk in college.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">In the NCAA title game, Griner contributed 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks as Baylor triumphed over Notre Dame 80-61. Her stellar performance earned her Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">On April 15, 2003, Griner became the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, chosen by the Phoenix Mercury. During the 2016 Olympics, </span><span style="font-weight: 400">Griner played a vital role in securing the U.S.'s sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Rio Games.</span><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1426443 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/220307080329-01-brittney-griner-file.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" />

<span style="font-weight: 400">Furthermore, she also played a significant part in the U.S. winning its seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, leading the U.S. with an average of 16.5 points. On September 12, 2023, she was honored with the AP Co Comeback Player of the Year Award.</span>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Major achievements</h2>
<p style="text-align: left">WNBA champion (2014)
9× WNBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022)
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)
2x WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (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 Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2012)
AP Player of the Year (2012)</p>
<p style="text-align: left">AP Co Comeback Player of the Year (2023)</p>

<h2 style="text-align: left">Brittney Griner's stats</h2>
Griner <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/g/grinebr01w.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">averaged</a> 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 31 regular season games during the 2023 season. She won the 2014 WNBA Championship by putting up 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks.

Moreover, the 9x WNBA All-Star has so far played 285 WNBA games in her 10-year-long career, averaging <span style="font-weight: 400">17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.5 steals in 254 WNBA games.</span>
<h2>Brittney Griner's Russia arrest</h2>
On February 17, 2022, Griner was arrested on drug charges in Russia. In early May 2022, the U.S. State Department stated that they had determined Griner was being "wrongfully detained", indicating a more aggressive approach toward securing her release.

On May 15, it was reported that the United States and Russia would consider a prisoner swap, with Russia exchanging Griner for international illegal arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had served 10 years of a 25-year federal prison sentence in the United States.

[caption id="attachment_1128491" align="aligncenter" width="612"]<img class="wp-image-1128491 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/gettyimages-1241566619-612x612-1.jpg" alt="Brittney Griner" width="612" height="408" /> US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. - Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption]

On the second day of her trial, July 7, Griner pled guilty and then said, "<em>But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law.</em>" Griner requested that she be allowed to give testimony to the court as soon as she has had sufficient time to prepare.

On August 4, the court found Griner guilty and sentenced her to nine years in prison. They additionally fined her 1 million rubles (US$16,301).

<span style="font-weight: 400">However, Griner regained her freedom in a high-level prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States, secured in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout on December 8, 2022.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s endorsements</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">The 6’9” Center’s earnings have seen substantial boosts thanks to endorsement deals with renowned brands like Nike, Beats by Dre, and Boost Mobile.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s contracts and bonuses</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Prior to her 10th WNBA season, Griner was a free agent and ultimately signed a 1-year $165,100 contract with the Mercury. Following the failure to qualify for the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, Griner once again became a free agent. Her intentions are to re-sign and stay in Phoenix for the foreseeable future. </span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s car collection</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner is very fond of luxury cars. As of 2023, she has a $35,000 Jeep Wrangler, a $140,000 Range Rover Autobiography, and an Audi E-Tron which starts at $74,800.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s s</b><b>ocial media accounts</b></h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Active on social media</span></li>
</ul>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Instagram</span></td>
<td><a href="https://www.instagram.com/brittneyyevettegriner/?hl=en"><b>@brittneyyevettegriner</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Twitter</span></td>
<td><a href="https://twitter.com/brittneygriner?lang=en"><b>@brittneygriner</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Facebook</span></td>
<td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrittneyGriner/">Brittney Griner</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Full Name</span></td>
<td>Brittney Yyvette Griner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Popular Name</span></td>
<td>Brittney</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Birth Date</span></td>
<td>October 18, 1990</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Birth Place</span></td>
<td>Houston, Texas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Age</span></td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Height</span></td>
<td>6'9" (2.06 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Weight</span></td>
<td>205 lbs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Parents</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Sandra and Raymond Griner</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Siblings</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Decarlo, Shkera, and Pier</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Nationality</span></td>
<td>American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Ethnicity</span></td>
<td>African American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Net Worth</span></td>
<td>$5 Million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Salary</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">$227,000</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Spouse</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400"> Cherelle Griner</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Relationship/Marital Status</span></td>
<td>Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Gender</span></td>
<td>Female</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Children</span></td>
<td>Ava and Solei</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Profession</span></td>
<td>Basketball Player</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner 2023: Net Worth, Salary, Endorsements, and More Brittney Griner Net Worth 2023 Brittney Griner is a WNBA center who has played for the Phoenix Mercury for 10 seasons. Griner was the Number 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft after playing four years of college basketball with the Baylor Lady Bears. Griner holds an estimated net worth of $5 million. She has accumulated this net worth through basketball, deals and endorsements. With the Phoenix Mercury, she has earned approximately $227,000 annually in salary. Since 2013, Griner has amassed a total of over $1.5 million in WNBA earnings during her illustrious ten-year tenure in the league. May 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports The 2014 WNBA champion inked a one-year deal worth $165,100 with the Mercury during the 2022-23 offseason. As Griner faced detainment in Russia, the WNBA made a noteworthy decision where she received her complete 2022 salary, which amounted to almost $228,000. In 2012, Griner received the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. She is the only NCAA basketball player to both score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. In 2012, the three-time All-American was named the AP Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Griner is one of 11 women to receive an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, a FIBA World Cup gold medal, and a WNBA championship. Brittney Griner&#8217;s Early Life  Griner exhibited her basketball prowess from an early age. She commenced her basketball journey when she was only nine years old, showcasing a natural talent for the sport that would become her passion. Although her family moved around, living in various states, including Oklahoma and Arizona, they ultimately returned to their Texas roots, where she attended Houston&#8217;s Nimitz High School. In her sophomore year, Griner defied expectations by practicing with the boys&#8217; basketball team and simultaneously collaborating with a Nimitz football coach to develop her leg strength for dunking. Her remarkable dunks, highlighted in a viral YouTube video during her junior season, captured the attention of basketball icon Shaquille O&#8217;Neal, who expressed interest in meeting her. Following a successful tenure on her high school&#8217;s varsity basketball team, Brittney Griner garnered widespread recognition from college scouts nationwide. As a result, she received a coveted scholarship offer to join Baylor University&#8217;s basketball program. Brittney Griner&#8217;s family and personal life Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Raised alongside three older siblings (Decarlo Griner, Shkera Griner, and Pier Griner) by parents Sandra and Raymond Griner, her father&#8217;s role as a two-tour Vietnam War veteran and Harris County deputy sheriff instilled principles of discipline and dedication in her. Griner came out as a lesbian in an interview in February 2013. She has been a trailblazer for the LGBTQ community and her coming out paved the way for many future athletes to do the same. She signed an endorsement deal with Nike in 2013 becoming the first openly gay athlete to be endorsed by the apparel giant. During her first marriage with former Tulsa Shock player Glory Johnson, the couple had two twins, Ava and Solei. Griner and Johnson got divorced in June 2016. Brittney is currently married to Cherelle Griner. Reportedly, the couple got married in 2019. Cherelle is a former teacher who graduated from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. She passed the bar in April 2023. Brittney Griner&#8217;s WNBA career In the 2013 WNBA draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Griner as the first overall pick. Griner would flourish in her rookie season, being named a WNBA all-star. In her debut, Griner equaled the WNBA dunk record with two dunks in the same game. The following season, she became the first WNBA player to dunk in a Playoff game. The Phoenix Mercury set the record for most wins in a season as they finished with a record of 29-5. Behind the big 3 of Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, the Mercury won their third championship in franchise history. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA &#8211; SEPTEMBER 30: Brittney Griner #42 and Brianna Turner #21 of the Phoenix Mercury talk on the bench in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Griner would go on to set various records over the next few years, especially on the defensive end. However, the Mercury always came up short in the Playoffs. She is an eight-time Blocks leader and two-time scoring champion. On top of that, she has made the All-Star team nine times in her glittering career. During the WNBA offseason, Griner played overseas. After playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China for 1 year, Griner signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia. She won back-to-back championships there along with teammate Diana Taurasi. Following her detention in Russia, she announced she would never play overseas again unless for Team USA. Brittney Griner&#8217;s career timeline The 19-year-old Griner led Nimitz High School to the Texas 5A girls&#8217; basketball state championship game in 2009, though they fell short. Griner, standing at 6-foot-7, made an astonishing 52 dunks during her senior year, including seven in a single game against Aldine High School. During her freshman year at Baylor, Griner set an NCAA single-season record with 223 blocks and became just the seventh women&#8217;s basketball player to dunk in college. In the NCAA title game, Griner contributed 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks as Baylor triumphed over Notre Dame 80-61. Her stellar performance earned her Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four. On April 15, 2003, Griner became the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, chosen by the Phoenix Mercury. During the 2016 Olympics, Griner played a vital role in securing the U.S.&#8217;s sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Rio Games. Furthermore, she also played a significant part in the U.S. winning its seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, leading the U.S. with an average of 16.5 points. On September 12, 2023, she was honored with the AP Co Comeback Player of the Year Award. Major achievements WNBA champion (2014) 9× WNBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022) 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) 2x WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (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 Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2012) AP Player of the Year (2012) AP Co Comeback Player of the Year (2023) Brittney Griner&#8217;s stats Griner averaged 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 31 regular season games during the 2023 season. She won the 2014 WNBA Championship by putting up 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks. Moreover, the 9x WNBA All-Star has so far played 285 WNBA games in her 10-year-long career, averaging 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.5 steals in 254 WNBA games. Brittney Griner&#8217;s Russia arrest On February 17, 2022, Griner was arrested on drug charges in Russia. In early May 2022, the U.S. State Department stated that they had determined Griner was being &#8220;wrongfully detained&#8221;, indicating a more aggressive approach toward securing her release. On May 15, it was reported that the United States and Russia would consider a prisoner swap, with Russia exchanging Griner for international illegal arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had served 10 years of a 25-year federal prison sentence in the United States. US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. &#8211; Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) On the second day of her trial, July 7, Griner pled guilty and then said, &#8220;But there was no intent. I didn&#8217;t want to break the law.&#8221; Griner requested that she be allowed to give testimony to the court as soon as she has had sufficient time to prepare. On August 4, the court found Griner guilty and sentenced her to nine years in prison. They additionally fined her 1 million rubles (US$16,301). However, Griner regained her freedom in a high-level prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States, secured in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout on December 8, 2022. Brittney Griner’s endorsements The 6’9” Center’s earnings have seen substantial boosts thanks to endorsement deals with renowned brands like Nike, Beats by Dre, and Boost Mobile. Brittney Griner’s contracts and bonuses Prior to her 10th WNBA season, Griner was a free agent and ultimately signed a 1-year $165,100 contract with the Mercury. Following the failure to qualify for the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, Griner once again became a free agent. Her intentions are to re-sign and stay in Phoenix for the foreseeable future. Brittney Griner’s car collection Griner is very fond of luxury cars. As of 2023, she has a $35,000 Jeep Wrangler, a $140,000 Range Rover Autobiography, and an Audi E-Tron which starts at $74,800. Brittney Griner’s social media accounts Active on social media   Instagram @brittneyyevettegriner  Twitter @brittneygriner  Facebook Brittney Griner    Full Name Brittney Yyvette Griner  Popular Name Brittney  Birth Date October 18, 1990  Birth Place Houston, Texas  Age 33  Height 6&#8217;9&#8243; (2.06 m)  Weight 205 lbs  Parents Sandra and Raymond Griner  Siblings Decarlo, Shkera, and Pier  Nationality American  Ethnicity African American  Net Worth $5 Million  Salary $227,000  Spouse  Cherelle Griner  Relationship/Marital Status Married  Gender Female  Children Ava and Solei  Profession Basketball Player

Brittney Griner, Who Has Openly Bashed Gender Norms, Once Confessed Ugly Dispute With Father: “Accept Your Daughter and Take Her for What She Is”

How good is Brittney Griner?