Brittney Griner remains one of the most talked-about names in women’s basketball heading into 2026, both for her continued dominance on the court and for major developments in her personal life. From her early days as a record-breaking college star at Baylor to becoming a decorated WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist, Griner’s career has been nothing short of historic.
This year has brought fresh headlines, including her move to the Connecticut Sun on a landmark seven-figure contract and news of her filing for divorce from wife Cherelle Griner. Fans searching for the latest on her age, height, salary, family, and career milestones will find a complete, up-to-date picture below.
Whether you’re curious about her towering 6’9″ frame, her journey through motherhood, or where things currently stand with the WNBA star, this guide covers everything you need to know about Brittney Griner in 2026.
Brittney Griner Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Brittney Yvette Griner |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1990 |
| Age (2026) | 35 years |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
| Position | Center |
| Current Team | Connecticut Sun (WNBA) |
| College | Baylor University |
| Draft | 2013, 1st Overall — Phoenix Mercury |
| Spouse | Cherelle Griner (divorce filed, July 2026) |
| Children | One son (Bash), born July 2024 |
| Parents | Raymond Griner and Sandra Griner |
| Net Worth (2026) | Approx. $5 million |
Brittney Griner is one of the most recognizable names in women’s basketball, known for her dominant post play and towering presence on the court. Her journey from a record-setting college career at Baylor to a decorated WNBA and Olympic career has made her a household name well beyond basketball circles.
Griner’s story took a dramatic turn in 2022 when she was detained in Russia, an ordeal that drew international attention and support. She returned to the league in 2023 and has continued to be a major figure in the sport ever since.
As of 2026, Griner is entering a new chapter both professionally and personally, having signed with a new team and filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle. This article covers everything fans want to know about her age, height, career, family, and the latest updates.
Brittney Griner Age
Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, making her 35 years old as of 2026. She grew up in a working-class household and was noticeably taller than her peers from a young age, which shaped much of her early childhood experience.
Her height became apparent early, and she was often teased by classmates because of it. Griner has spoken openly in interviews and her memoir about how those experiences affected her confidence growing up before she found basketball as an outlet.
At 35, Griner is now one of the more experienced veterans in the WNBA, having played professionally since being drafted in 2013. Despite her age, she remains a key contributor on the court and continues to compete at a high level heading into the 2026 season.
Brittney Griner Career
Griner’s basketball career began at Nimitz High School in Houston before she committed to Baylor University, where she became one of the most dominant college players in NCAA history. She led Baylor to an undefeated national championship season and won multiple national player of the year honors.
She was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft and spent over a decade with the franchise, winning a WNBA championship and earning multiple All-Star selections and Defensive Player of the Year awards. During WNBA offseasons, she also played professionally overseas, including in China and Russia, where salaries were significantly higher than in the WNBA at the time.
After 11 seasons with Phoenix, Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 season before moving on again. She confirmed via Instagram that she was signing with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season, becoming the team’s first free-agent signing that year. She has also competed in the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league during the WNBA offseason.
Brittney Griner Height
Brittney Griner stands at 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm) tall, making her one of the tallest players in WNBA history. Her height, combined with her wingspan and mobility, has been central to her success as a shot-blocker and rim protector throughout her career.
Her towering frame drew attention from a young age, and she was often recruited specifically for her rare combination of size and athleticism. Reports suggest her height was influenced by her parents, with her father reportedly standing around 6 feet 5 inches tall.
Griner’s size has also made her a cultural icon in women’s sports, often compared to some of the tallest players in league history. Her physical presence continues to be one of her defining traits as she competes into her mid-30s.
Brittney Griner, Wife
Brittney Griner married Cherelle Watson, an attorney, in June 2018, though the couple publicly celebrated their wedding in 2019. The two met while attending Baylor University together and built a relationship that became widely known during Griner’s detention in Russia.
Cherelle Griner became a prominent public advocate during Brittney’s imprisonment, appearing in media interviews and working with U.S. officials to secure her wife’s release. Their bond during that period made them one of the more publicly followed couples in sports.
However, the couple has been separated since July 24, 2026, according to court documents, and Brittney has since filed for divorce, marking a significant shift in her personal life after years in the public eye as a married couple.
Brittney Griner Net Worth 2026
Brittney Griner’s net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million as of 2026, based on her WNBA earnings, overseas basketball contracts, endorsement deals, and other business ventures. This figure reflects more than a decade of professional basketball income combined.
For much of her WNBA career, Griner’s domestic salary was relatively modest compared to her global stature, which pushed her to play overseas during offseasons for significantly higher pay. Her total WNBA career earnings through the end of 2025 came to roughly $1.3 million, despite being a ten-time All-Star widely considered among the greatest players in league history.
Her financial picture has improved significantly with the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement and her 2026 contract with the Connecticut Sun. Endorsement deals with major brands, along with book royalties from her memoir, have also contributed to her overall net worth.
Brittney Griner Salary
Brittney Griner signed a one-year, $1,190,000 contract with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season, with the full amount guaranteed. This represents the largest single-season salary of her WNBA career by a wide margin.
According to reports, this made Griner’s deal the first seven-figure contract in Connecticut Sun franchise history, coming close to the new league maximum salary under the recently ratified collective bargaining agreement. The jump reflects broader changes across the WNBA’s pay structure in 2026.
Her salary history shows a steady rise over the years, from just over $200,000 with the Atlanta Dream in 2025 to her current seven-figure deal. This growth mirrors the WNBA’s expanding salary cap, which increased substantially heading into the 2026 season.
Brittney Griner Parents
Brittney Griner was raised by her parents, Raymond Griner and Sandra Griner, in Houston, Texas. Her father, Raymond, worked as a Harris County deputy sheriff and served two tours as a Vietnam War veteran, while her mother was primarily known for supporting the family at home.
Griner has described her upbringing as strict, particularly under her father, and has spoken about the challenges of coming out to her family as a young woman. Despite early tensions, she has credited both parents with shaping her resilience and work ethic.
She is the youngest of several siblings, and her family background is often cited as an important part of her personal story, especially given the public support they showed during her detention in Russia in 2022.
Brittney Griner Twins
The mention of “twins” in relation to Brittney Griner traces back to her first marriage with fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson. Shortly after their wedding in 2015, it was revealed that Johnson was pregnant with twins, conceived via IVF prior to the couple’s separation.
The relationship between Griner and Johnson was short-lived and turbulent, ending in an annulment attempt and eventual divorce finalized in 2016. Because the marriage ended so quickly, custody and parental involvement regarding the twins remained primarily with Johnson.
This chapter is often referenced in Griner biographies as an earlier, more difficult period in her personal life, distinct from her later marriage to Cherelle and the birth of their son in 2024.
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Cherelle and Brittney Griner Split
Brittney Griner filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle, in Fulton County, Georgia, describing the marriage as “irretrievably broken”. The filing came after eight years together and roughly seven years of marriage.
The couple, who share a two-year-old son named Bash, had been married since June 2018, though public reports had previously stated their wedding took place in 2019. Cherelle had been a vocal advocate for Brittney throughout her detention in Russia, making the split particularly notable given their public history.
Griner’s attorney, Randall Kessler, issued a brief statement saying the matter is one the parties hope to resolve privately, with no further comment offered at the time. Neither Brittney nor Cherelle has made an extended public statement about the split.
Why is Brittney Griner Divorcing her Wife
As of now, neither Brittney nor Cherelle Griner has publicly disclosed the specific reason behind their decision to divorce. Court documents simply describe the marriage as “irretrievably broken,” which is standard legal language used for no-fault divorces in Georgia.
The timing has drawn attention because it followed a period of major life events for the couple, including the birth of their son and Brittney’s continued high-profile basketball career. The split reportedly comes after the couple recently celebrated milestones together, including Griner’s participation in the 2024 Olympics and WNBA All-Star Game.
Given the lack of official statements from either party, speculation about the cause of the split remains unconfirmed. Fans and media outlets are likely to continue following the story as legal proceedings move forward.
Brittney Griner Children
Brittney and Cherelle Griner share one son together, born in July 2024. In the divorce filing, Brittney is seeking joint legal custody of their son, who is now two years old.
Griner has spoken publicly and affectionately about fatherhood, referring to herself as “Pops” to her son and sharing emotional moments about the pregnancy and birth on social media. The couple’s decision to start a family was seen as a significant personal milestone following Griner’s return from Russia.
Outside of her son with Cherelle, Griner does not have other biological children, though she was briefly connected to twins from her earlier marriage to Glory Johnson, who were primarily raised by Johnson following their short marriage.
Brittney Griner Suspended
Brittney Griner faced a notable suspension early in her career stemming from a domestic violence incident involving her then-partner Glory Johnson in 2015. Both players were suspended for several games by the WNBA following the incident, which occurred before their brief marriage.
The suspension drew significant media attention at the time, given the high profile of both players and the timing relative to their relationship. Griner has since spoken about that period as a difficult and regrettable chapter in her personal life.
Since then, Griner has not faced any further disciplinary suspensions of similar magnitude, and her on-court career has continued without major league sanctions, allowing her to remain one of the WNBA’s most consistent veteran performers.
Is Brittney Griner Still in the Wnba
Yes, Brittney Griner is still an active player in the WNBA as of 2026. She signed with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season after previously playing for the Atlanta Dream in 2025 and the Phoenix Mercury for eleven seasons before that.
Her move to Connecticut represented a fresh start following a brief stint away from Phoenix, and the team viewed her signing as a major addition. Connecticut Sun general manager Morgan Tuck praised her as one of the most impactful players in the game throughout her career.
At 35, Griner continues to be one of the league’s most experienced and respected centers, and her 2026 contract reflects her ongoing value to the WNBA even as she enters the later stages of her professional playing career.
FAQ’s
How old is Brittney Griner in 2026?
Brittney Griner is 35 years old, born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas.
How tall is Brittney Griner?
Griner stands at 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm) tall, making her one of the tallest players in WNBA history.
What team does Brittney Griner play for now?
As of 2026, Brittney Griner plays for the Connecticut Sun after previously playing for the Phoenix Mercury and the Atlanta Dream.
Is Brittney Griner divorced?
Griner has filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, with the couple separated since July 24, 2026. The divorce is still in process.
Does Brittney Griner have children?
Yes, Brittney and Cherelle share one son, born in July 2024. Griner is seeking joint legal custody as part of the divorce proceedings.
What is Brittney Griner’s net worth in 2026?
Her net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million, reflecting her WNBA salary, overseas contracts, endorsements, and book royalties.
How much does Brittney Griner make in salary?
Griner signed a one-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $1.19 million with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season.
Was Brittney Griner ever suspended by the WNBA?
Yes, she was suspended early in her career following a 2015 domestic violence incident involving then-partner Glory Johnson.
Who are Brittney Griner’s parents?
Her parents are Raymond Griner, a Vietnam War veteran and former Harris County deputy sheriff, and Sandra Griner.
Is Brittney Griner still active in the WNBA?
Yes, she remains an active player, having signed with the Connecticut Sun as her first free-agent move of the 2026 season.
Conclusion
Brittney Griner’s story in 2026 reflects both continuity and change. On the court, she remains a dominant force, securing a landmark contract with the Connecticut Sun that underscores her enduring value in the league. Off the court, however, she is navigating a significant personal transition following her decision to divorce Cherelle Griner after nearly eight years together.
From her towering height and record-setting college career to her resilience following her detention in Russia, Griner’s journey continues to inspire fans well beyond basketball. As she moves into this new chapter — both professionally with a fresh team and personally amid a major life change — all eyes remain on what’s next for one of the WNBA’s most iconic figures.
As updates continue to emerge throughout the 2026 season, this page will reflect the latest on Brittney Griner’s career, family life, and legacy in women’s basketball.