Brittney Griner is one of the most decorated and influential athletes of her generation — an NCAA champion, a WNBA champion, a 3x Olympic gold medalist, and a winner of the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. In the 2013 WNBA draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Griner as the number one overall pick. She was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year that season before helping lead the Mercury to the 2014 WNBA Championship. She’s a member of the W25, the WNBA’s 2021 list of the top 25 players of all time. A 10x WNBA All-Star, Griner is the first openly gay American professional athlete to sign a major shoe and apparel deal with Nike.

As an ardent supporter of LGBTQ+ causes, Griner has worked with the It Gets Better Project and other organizations inspiring hope for youth facing harassment and bullying. Griner — a Houston native and the proud daughter of a military veteran and retired law enforcement officer — has also partnered with organizations serving veterans and people experiencing homelessness. In partnership with various local organizations, her annual BG Heart and Sole Shoe Drive provides footwear and personal-care items for hundreds. In recognition of her advocacy work, Griner received the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award in 2023 and was honored on Out magazine’s “Out 100” list the same year. Time magazine confirmed Griner’s stature and global impact, naming her one of the “100 Most Influential People of 2023.”

While traveling to play her tenth season of overseas professional basketball in Russia in 2022, Griner was wrongfully detained for ten months. Thousands rallied to bring Griner home through the We Are BG campaign. During the crusade, Griner joined forces with Bring Our Families Home (BOFH), a campaign to raise awareness and urge action on behalf of all wrongfully detained American hostages. She continues to actively support that cause. She is also collaborating with Disney and ESPN Films on a documentary chronicling her detainment in Russia, along with a scripted series in development with ABC.

Less