Brittney Griner Bio: Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Spouse, Parents, Partner, Family

Biography

Brittney Yvette Griner, born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, is a talented American professional basketball player known for dominating the court.

She played college basketball at Baylor University, leading the team to a national championship in 2012 and earning AP Player of the Year honors. Selected first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury, Griner has become a multiple-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, and a WNBA champion (2014).

Standing 6’9″, she is renowned for her shot-blocking and dunking ability. A two-time Olympic gold medalist (2016, 2020) with Team USA, she has also been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.

In 2022, she made international headlines after being detained in Russia on drug charges, resulting in a high-profile prisoner exchange later that year.

American basketball player
Brittney Griner
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Brittney Yvette Griner
Stage Name:	Brittney Griner
Born:	18 October 1990 (age 34 years old)
Place of Birth:	Houston, Texas, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Nimitz High School, Baylor University
Height:	2.06 m
Parents:	Raymond Griner, Sandra Griner
Siblings:	Shkera Griner, Pier Griner, Decarlo Griner
Spouse:	Cherelle Griner (m. 2019), Glory Johnson (m. 2015–2016)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Bash Griner
Occupation:	Basketball Player
Net Worth:	$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Brittney Yevette Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, USA. She is of African American ethnicity. She is a Christian.

Brittney is the youngest of four children born to Raymond Griner, a former Harris County sheriff and Vietnam War veteran, and Sandra Griner, a homemaker. She has three older siblings: two sisters, Shkera Griner and Pier Griner, and one brother, Decarlo Griner.

Growing up in Houston, Brittney faced challenges due to her height and physical appearance, which made her a target for bullying. However, she found solace and strength in sports, particularly basketball, which became a defining part of her life. Her towering height—reaching 6’9″ as an adult—became an asset on the court.

Griner attended Nimitz High School in Houston, where she excelled in basketball. She led her high school team to the Texas 5A state championship game in 2008 and was named a McDonald’s All-American. Her exceptional performance on the court earned her a scholarship to Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

At Baylor, she studied speech communications and played college basketball, becoming one of the most dominant players in NCAA history. She won a national championship in 2012 and was named the AP Player of the Year, solidifying her status as a top prospect for the WNBA.

Career

Brittney Griner has built a remarkable career in professional basketball, excelling in the WNBA, international leagues, and with the U.S. national team. Selected as the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury, she quickly became one of the league’s most dominant players.

Known for her defensive prowess and dunking ability, she immediately earned Rookie of the Year honors and set a league record for blocks in a single season. Over the years, she has cemented her place as one of the greatest centers in WNBA history, winning a championship in 2014 and earning multiple All-Star selections, scoring titles, and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Beyond the WNBA, Griner has played internationally to supplement her income, competing in China, Turkey, and Russia, where she won multiple championships, including four EuroLeague titles with UMMC Ekaterinburg. However, her time in Russia took a dramatic turn in 2022 when she was detained on drug charges, leading to a nearly 10-month imprisonment before a high-profile prisoner swap secured her release.

On the international stage, Griner has been instrumental in Team USA’s dominance, winning Olympic gold in 2016 and 2020 and multiple FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup titles.

Off the court, she has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health awareness, and gender equity in sports. Her detention in Russia also sparked broader conversations about the risks athletes face when playing overseas and brought global attention to U.S.-Russia relations.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Brittney Griner
• Instagram: BG (@brittneyyevettegriner)
• Facebook: Brittney Griner
• Twitter: Brittney Griner (@brittneygriner) / X

Personal Life

Brittney Griner, born on October 18, 1990, is currently 34 years old. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters), she is one of the tallest players in women’s professional basketball, a physical advantage that has played a key role in her dominance on the court.

Griner is married to Cherelle Griner (formerly Cherelle Watson), whom she met while they were both students at Baylor University. The couple began dating in 2017, got engaged in August 2018, and married in June 2019.

Throughout their relationship, Cherelle has been a strong advocate for Brittney, especially during her detention in Russia in 2022. A law school graduate, Cherelle has supported her wife’s career and personal challenges, and in July 2024, they welcomed their first child, a son named Bash Griner.

Before her marriage to Cherelle, Griner was briefly married to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson. The two became engaged in 2014 and married in May 2015, but their relationship was marred by a domestic violence incident that led to suspensions from the WNBA.

Shortly after their wedding, Johnson announced her pregnancy with twins, conceived via IVF, though Griner had no biological connection to them. Their marriage quickly unraveled, with Griner filing for an annulment, which was denied, and their divorce finalized in 2016.

As part of the legal proceedings, Griner was ordered to pay child support, though her involvement in the twins’ upbringing has been limited due to legal disputes.

Net Worth

Brittney Griner‘s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, according to sources like Celebrity Net Worth and Sportskeeda.

Her wealth primarily stems from her professional basketball career in the WNBA, where she has earned significant salaries, including a supermax salary of approximately $227,000 annually with the Phoenix Mercury.

Additionally, Griner has earned substantial income playing overseas, notably in Russia and China, where she made up to $1.5 million per season.

Endorsement deals with brands like Nike, T-Mobile, and BodyArmor, as well as her memoir “In My Skin” and speaking engagements, have also contributed to her net worth.