Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall, Brittney Griner transformed the center position through a unique combination of defensive shot-blocking and offensive dunking capability. A standout performer at Baylor University, she transitioned into a professional career characterized by multiple Olympic gold medals, WNBA championship success, and significant international recognition across several competitive basketball leagues.
Early Development in Houston
Born in Houston in 1990, Griner attended Nimitz High School where she developed her physical game. By her junior year, videos of her dunking attracted millions of viewers. Her high school career was marked by statistical dominance, including a single-game record of 25 blocks in 2008 and a single-season record of 318 blocks. In 2009, she was recognized as the nation's top high school player.
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Griner played at Baylor University from 2009 to 2013, where she became the first NCAA player to accumulate 2,000 points and 500 blocked shots. Her 2012 junior season included an undefeated national championship run, during which she earned the AP Player of the Year award and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. She secured the Honda Sports Award for Basketball and the John R. Wooden Award in both 2012 and 2013.
Professional and International Career
Selected first overall in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury, Griner won the league championship in 2014. Her international career includes three consecutive Olympic gold medals won in 2016, 2021, and 2024, alongside two FIBA Women's World Cup titles. She has played for the Connecticut Sun and the Unrivaled league, continuing to maintain her status as a premier interior defender and scorer.
Detention in Russia
In February 2022, while playing for a team in the Russian Premier League, Griner was arrested by customs officials for possessing hash oil. Following a legal process, she was sentenced to nine years in prison. The United States government labeled her detention wrongful, and she was returned to the United States in December 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange for Viktor Bout.
Fast facts
- Born: 1990, Houston, United States
- Height: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
- College: Baylor University (2009-2013)
- Olympic Gold Medals: 3
- WNBA Championship: 2014
- Time 100 Honoree: 2023
- Arm Span: 87.5 inches (222 cm)
Questions readers ask
How many times has Griner won Olympic gold?
She has won three gold medals with the U.S. women's national basketball team in 2016, 2021, and 2024.
What record did she set at Baylor University?
She is the only NCAA player to record both 2,000 career points and 500 blocked shots.
Achievements
- Educated at Nimitz High School
- Worked as basketball player
