Brittney Griner

Dominant and decorated WNBA center whose records, championships and harrowing detention in Russia made her one of the most significant figures in women's sport.

Brittney Yevette Griner was born in Houston, Texas, and became one of the most dominant shot-blockers in the history of women's basketball at Baylor University, helping the Lady Bears win the 2012 national championship before the Phoenix Mercury selected her first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Griner developed into one of the WNBA's most prolific scorers and shot-blockers, winning a championship with Phoenix in 2014 and earning multiple All-Star selections and Defensive Player of the Year honours, while also winning two Olympic gold medals with Team USA. On 17 February 2022, Griner was detained at a Moscow airport after customs officials found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage, illegal under Russian law; she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony, a punishment the United States government called excessive and politically motivated amid heightened tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Griner was released on 8 December 2022 after nearly ten months in detention, exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a high-profile prisoner swap negotiated by the Biden administration. She returned to the United States to a medical evaluation and reunion with her wife, Cherelle, and has since written and spoken publicly about the ordeal, returning to play for the Phoenix Mercury and continuing her advocacy for other wrongfully detained Americans abroad.

Dominant post player with exceptional height and shot-blocking

One of the greatest WNBA centers and shot-blockers of all time

• WNBA Champion 2014, 2021
• NCAA Champion 2012
• Olympic Gold 2020, 2016