Ayrton Oneill
Brittney Griner is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Griner is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a six-time WNBA All-Star. In 2022, Griner was detained in Russia on drug charges and sentenced to nine years in prison. She was later released in a prisoner exchange. In 2024, Griner joined Unrivaled, a new three-on-three basketball league that does not conflict with the WNBA's prioritization rule. Griner has not quit basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Current Team | Atlanta Dream |
| Previous Teams | Phoenix Mercury, Zhejiang Golden Bulls, Beijing Great Wall, UMMC Ekaterinburg |
| Awards | 3x Olympic Gold Medalist, 2x FIBA World Cup Gold Medalist, 6x WNBA All-Star, 2x WNBA Champion, Best Female Athlete ESPY Award, Naismith Award, Wooden Award, AP Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, National Championship Winner, WBCA All-American, NCAA Championship Winner, Naismith Trophy, Wade Trophy, WBCA Women's Defensive Player of the Year |
| Notable Statistics | One of the only NCAA basketball players to score 2,000 points and block 500 shots, one of 12 players to earn an Olympic gold medal, FIBA World Cup gold medal, WNBA title, and NCAA title, recorded 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks on 70%+ shooting, third player in WNBA history to reach 800 career blocks, recorded 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks in two games, only player in WNBA history to record at least 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks, one of the quickest players in WNBA history to reach 4,000+ points, 2,000+ rebounds, and 700+ blocks |
| Salary | Seven figures for one season of international basketball |
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What You'll Learn
Brittney Griner's detention in Russia
On February 17, 2022, American basketball player Brittney Griner was detained at a Russian airport as she arrived in the country to play for Ekaterinburg. Russian officials claimed that her luggage contained vape cartridges with cannabis oil, a drug that was illegal in Russia. Griner had a prescription for medicinal cannabis in her home state of Arizona.
Griner's trial began in July 2022, and she pled guilty, although she stated that the cannabis oil had been packed accidentally and that she had been forced to sign documents in Russian that she did not understand. On August 4, 2022, Griner was found guilty of smuggling illegal drugs with criminal intent and was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony. This came amid reports that the United States and Russia were discussing a prisoner swap involving Griner and several others. In October 2022, a Russian court rejected her appeal, raising the possibility of a negotiated release.
In May 2022, the U.S. State Department stated that they had determined Griner was being "wrongfully detained", indicating a more aggressive approach towards securing her release. Griner's wife, Cherelle, publicly fought for her release, giving an interview to Good Morning America in which she called Griner a ""political pawn". Many saw Griner's detainment as politically motivated, and there were concerns that she was being used as a ""high-profile hostage" by Russia in response to international sanctions following their invasion of Ukraine.
On December 8, 2022, Russia and the United States conducted a 1-for-1 prisoner exchange, trading Griner for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer. Bout had been arrested in Thailand in 008 and transferred to U.S. custody, where he was convicted of terrorism-related charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison. The exchange took place at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, following months of negotiations.
Griner has since faced criticism for her behaviour, with some suggesting that she had not learned humility from her experience. In May 2025, Griner was caught on camera appearing to call another player "trash" and a "f*ing white girl" after fouling out.
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Griner's three-time Olympic gold medal wins
As of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Brittney Griner has won three Olympic gold medals. Griner is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is a three-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women's national basketball team and a six-time WNBA All-Star.
Griner's first Olympic gold medal came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she led the U.S. national women's basketball team to victory. The U.S. team beat Spain 101-72 in the final, making Griner one of 11 players who have earned an Olympic gold medal, a FIBA World Cup gold medal, a WNBA title, and an NCAA title.
Griner's second Olympic gold medal came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Griner was named to the national team and won her second gold medal as part of an undefeated Team USA.
Griner's third Olympic gold medal came at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was her third consecutive gold medal and the United States' eighth consecutive gold medal in women's basketball. The U.S. team defeated France 67-66 in the final, with Griner contributing four points. This win was particularly meaningful for Griner, as she had been imprisoned in Russia and released in December 2022, just 18 months before the Games.
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Griner's college basketball career
Brittney Griner, one of the most dominant players in the history of women's basketball, enjoyed a stellar college career at Baylor University from 2009 to 2013. Standing at 6'8" tall, Griner was an intimidating presence in the paint and revolutionized the game with her unique combination of size, athleticism, and skill.
In her freshman year, Griner made an immediate impact, starting all 36 games and leading the Baylor Lady Bears to a 27-9 record. She averaged an impressive 18.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and an astonishing 6.4 blocks per game, setting an NCAA single-season record for blocks. Griner's performance earned her numerous accolades, including Big 12 Freshman of the Year and consensus first-team All-American honours.
However, it was in her sophomore season that Griner truly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. She improved her stats across the board, averaging 23.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting an incredible 54.9% from the field. Griner led Baylor to an undefeated 40-0 record and the NCAA Division I national championship, earning herself the Most Outstanding Player award for the Final Four.
Griner's junior and senior years were equally impressive. In 2011-12, she helped Baylor defend their national championship title, becoming just the seventh team in NCAA history to do so. During her senior year, Griner averaged a double-double with 23.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, capping off her college career by being named the AP Player of the Year and winning the Naismith Trophy for the second time.
Over her four years at Baylor, Griner accumulated numerous awards and achievements. She was a three-time AP first-team All-American and a four-time All-Big 12 selection. She finished her college career as the NCAA's all-time leader in blocks with 748, a record that still stands today. Griner also ranks second all-time in career points with 3,283, and her jersey number, 42, was retired by Baylor following her outstanding college career.
Griner's impact extended beyond the court as well. Her success helped grow the women's game, inspiring a new generation of players and bringing more attention to women's college basketball. Griner handled herself with class and dignity, serving as a role model for athletes both on and off the court. Her college career cemented her legacy as one of the true greats of the game.
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Griner's WNBA career
Brittney Griner is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is currently one of the game's leading centres and is known for her play with the Phoenix Mercury, with whom she won the 2014 WNBA championship. Griner is a three-time Olympic gold medallist with the U.S. women's national basketball team and a six-time WNBA All-Star.
Griner was born in Houston, Texas, on October 18, 1990. She played volleyball and basketball in high school, but it was basketball that brought her the most attention. During her senior year, she led the Nimitz Cougars to the Texas 5A girls' basketball state championship game, where they lost to Mansfield Summit High School. Griner also set a single-game record of seven dunks against Aldine High School. She played college basketball at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, on a basketball scholarship. During her freshman year, she set the all-time single-season record for blocked shots, establishing herself as one of the greatest shot blockers in women's basketball history. In 2012, Griner had a breakout junior year, leading Baylor to an NCAA championship and winning several awards, including the Naismith Award, the Wooden Award, and the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award.
In the 2013 WNBA draft, Griner was selected as the first overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury. In her debut on May 27, 2013, against the Chicago Sky, she equalled the WNBA dunk record, becoming the third WNBA player to dunk and the first to do so twice in one game. Griner went on to have a dominant defensive season, averaging 3.0 blocks per game. In 2014, her stats improved, as she averaged 15.6 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game, and 3.7 blocks per game. That year, she set a WNBA record with 11 blocks in a regular-season game win against the Tulsa Shock. Griner helped the Mercury win the 2014 WNBA championship and was named a WNBA All-Star.
Griner continued to excel with the Mercury, re-signing with them in 2017 to a multi-year deal. That year, she had the best season of her career up to that point, leading the league in scoring with 21.9 points per game. In 2020, Griner protested "The Star-Spangled Banner", stating that she would not be on the court during the playing of the national anthem. She later changed this decision after her incarceration, standing for the anthem while still supporting those who chose to protest. Griner was selected for the U.S. national team for the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 in Tokyo), where she won her second gold medal. In 2022, Griner was detained in Russia on a drug offence, found guilty, and sentenced to nine years. She was later released in a prisoner exchange.
In February 2025, Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream, leaving Phoenix after an 11-season career with the Mercury. She has appeared in 315 regular-season games, averaging 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. Griner has achieved several milestones with the Mercury, including being the first in Mercury history in blocks, rebounds, double-doubles, and 2-point field goals made. She has also been named a WNBA All-Star for the 2024 season and helped the Mercury qualify for the postseason.
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Griner's move to the Unrivaled league
Brittney Griner is a prominent American basketball player who has had a successful career in the WNBA. She has played for the Phoenix Mercury, with whom she won the 2014 WNBA Championship, and is a three-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women's national basketball team.
In 2022, Griner was detained in Russia for nine months on drug charges and was subsequently released in a prisoner exchange. Following this incident, Griner vowed never to play overseas basketball again.
In 2024, Griner announced her decision to join the Unrivaled league, a new three-on-three basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The first season of Unrivaled is set to take place in Miami in January 2025 and will feature 30 players across six teams.
Griner's move to Unrivaled is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it allows her to remain in the U.S. during the WNBA offseason while still playing professional basketball. Secondly, Unrivaled offers significant salaries, with a salary floor starting at $100,000, and it does not conflict with the WNBA's prioritization rule, allowing players to participate in both leagues without issue. Additionally, the league provides an opportunity for Griner to get back into basketball shape and increase her confidence, especially after the trauma she endured during her detention in Russia.
Griner's addition to the Unrivaled league has generated a lot of interest and is expected to contribute to the league's success and the overall landscape of women's professional basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
No, she did not. In 2024, Griner was selected for the U.S. national team competing at the Paris Olympics, where she won her third Olympic gold medal. In October 2024, Griner was confirmed as the 24th player to join the new three-on-three basketball league, Unrivaled.
Griner's decision to join Unrivaled was influenced by the opportunity to earn a significant salary and play in the U.S. during the WNBA offseason. The league also does not conflict with the WNBA's prioritization rule, allowing players like Griner to participate in both leagues without issue.
The WNBA prioritization rule effectively blocks players from participating in many foreign leagues by stipulating that players who miss the start of training camp to play internationally will be suspended for the entire season.
Yes, Griner played for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls and Beijing Great Wall in China during her first two WNBA offseasons. From 2015 to 2022, she played for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a EuroLeague team in Russia.
