Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, as the youngest of four siblings. She showed exceptional talent in basketball and volleyball from an early age, setting high school records for dunks and blocks at Nimitz High School. Griner went on to play for Baylor University, where she dominated college basketball, won an NCAA championship, and earned multiple All-American honors.
After being drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Griner established herself as one of the league’s top players, earning multiple All-Star selections, a WNBA championship in 2014, and Olympic gold medals. She also played overseas in China and Russia, significantly boosting her income. As of 2026, Brittney Griner net worth is estimated at $5 million, accumulated through her WNBA salary, international contracts, and lucrative endorsement deals.
Brittney Griner Bio:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brittney Yevette Griner |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1990 |
| Age | 35 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Position | Center |
| College | Baylor University |
| WNBA Team | Phoenix Mercury |
| Major Achievements | WNBA Championship (2014), Multiple WNBA All-Star selections, Olympic Gold Medals (2016, 2020), FIBA World Cup Gold Medals (2014, 2018) |
| Overseas Career | China (Zhejiang Golden Bulls), Russia (UMMC Ekaterinburg) |
| WNBA Salary | Peaked at $228,000 per season |
| Overseas Earnings | Up to $1 million per season |
| Endorsements | Nike, Puma, Gatorade, Beats by Dre |
| Personal Life | Publicly lesbian; married Cherelle Watson in 2019; previously briefly married to Glory Johnson |
| Notable Events | Detained in Russia 2022; released in prisoner swap |
| Net Worth (2026) | $5 million |
Brittney Griner Net Worth and Career Overview
Brittney Griner is an American professional basketball player and one of the most dominant figures in women’s basketball. Standing at 6’9″, Griner revolutionized the sport with her combination of size, skill, and athleticism. After a standout collegiate career at Baylor University, which included an NCAA championship and three All-American selections, she was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Today, Griner has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
Griner’s professional career is decorated with multiple WNBA All-Star selections, Olympic gold medals, and a WNBA championship in 2014. Known for her exceptional shot-blocking, she has become one of the league’s premier defenders. While her WNBA salary peaked around $228,000, she significantly boosted her earnings through overseas contracts, earning up to $1 million per season in Russia.
Salary and Career Earnings
Griner’s rookie contract in 2013 paid just over $200,000, followed by a contract extension worth approximately $554,000 and later a three-year deal totaling $644,544 through 2022. Her WNBA career earnings over the decade amount to roughly $1.5 million.
Her overseas career proved far more lucrative. In 2013–14, she earned $600,000 in four months playing for China’s Zhejiang Golden Bulls. She later played for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg, reportedly earning around $1 million per season, where she won multiple championships.
Endorsements
Off the court, Griner has signed high-profile endorsement deals that supplement her income. She broke barriers as the first openly gay athlete to sign with Nike, securing a $1 million contract. Over the years, she has partnered with Gatorade and Beats by Dre, and in 2023 signed a groundbreaking deal with Puma to headline its women’s basketball line—the largest shoe contract for a female basketball player.
Early Life and High School
Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, the youngest of four siblings. She attended Nimitz High School, excelling in basketball and varsity volleyball. During her senior year, Griner led the Nimitz Cougars to the Texas 5A girls’ basketball state championship and recorded 52 dunks, including seven in a single game. She also set a single-season block record with 318 blocks and was named a WBCA All-American.
Collegiate Career
Griner played for the Baylor Lady Bears, immediately establishing herself as a dominant force. As a freshman, she set a single-season record with 223 blocked shots. In 2009, she posted Baylor’s first-ever triple-double and became the seventh woman to dunk in a college game.
In 2012, Griner led Baylor to an undefeated 40-0 season and a Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. She finished her collegiate career in 2013 after Baylor’s Sweet 16 loss to Louisville, earning multiple First-Team All-American honors and AP Player of the Year recognition.
WNBA Career and Phoenix Mercury
Selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2013, Griner made an immediate impact. She tied the WNBA career dunk record in her debut and averaged three blocks per game. In 2014, she averaged 15.6 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game and helped lead the Mercury to a 29-5 season, setting a league record for wins. The Mercury won the 2014 WNBA Finals, sweeping the Chicago Sky.
Over the years, Griner has continued to dominate defensively, setting single-game records for blocks in both the regular season (11) and playoffs (11). She has led the league in scoring and blocks multiple times and guided the Mercury to several playoff appearances.
Overseas Caree
During the WNBA off-season, Griner has played internationally. In China, she earned $600,000 in just four months, and in Russia, she played for UMMC Ekaterinburg, earning up to $1 million per season while winning championships. These overseas contracts are a major contributor to her overall net worth.
US National Team
Griner represented the US in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning gold medals on both occasions. She also helped the national team secure gold at the 2014 and 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cups.
Russian Arrest
In early 2022, Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Russia for possession of hash oil. Amid tense US-Russia relations, her detention lasted nearly 10 months. On December 8, 2022, she was released in a prisoner swap for arms smuggler Viktor Bout.
Personal Life
Griner publicly came out as lesbian in 2013 and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation. She was briefly married to WNBA player Glory Johnson in 2015, a marriage that ended in annulment and divorce. In 2019, she married Cherelle Watson.
In 2023, she called for better travel accommodations for WNBA players after facing harassment at a Dallas airport.
Brittney Griner Net Worth
As of 2026, Brittney Griner’s net worth is estimated at $5 million, accumulated through WNBA salaries, lucrative overseas contracts, endorsement deals, and her ongoing influence in women’s basketball.
FAQ’s
When and where was Brittney Griner born?
Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, USA. She is the youngest of four siblings and grew up excelling in basketball and volleyball at Nimitz High School, where she set records for dunks and blocks.
What is Brittney Griner net worth?
As of 2026, Brittney Griner net worth is estimated at $5 million, earned through WNBA salaries, overseas contracts, and endorsement deals.
Which WNBA team does Brittney Griner play for?
Griner plays as a center for the Phoenix Mercury, the team that drafted her first overall in 2013.
Has Brittney Griner won any championships?
Yes, she won the WNBA Championship in 2014, multiple Olympic gold medals (2016, 2020), and FIBA World Cup gold medals (2014, 2018).
Did Brittney Griner play basketball overseas?
Yes, she played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls and in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg, earning up to $1 million per season abroad.
Conclusion
Brittney Griner has built an extraordinary career as one of the most dominant figures in women’s basketball. From her record-breaking collegiate years at Baylor University to becoming a WNBA champion with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner has consistently showcased her skills as a top scorer, shot-blocker, and game-changer. Her achievements also extend internationally, with successful stints in China and Russia, and multiple Olympic and FIBA gold medals, cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Financially, Griner has turned her talent into substantial earnings. With an estimated net worth of $5 million, she has generated income through WNBA salaries, lucrative overseas contracts, and high-profile endorsement deals with Nike, Puma, Gatorade, and Beats by Dre. Beyond the numbers, her influence as an openly gay athlete and advocate for LGBTQ+ representation adds to her long-term value and impact, ensuring that both her career and financial legacy will continue to grow.
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