Brittney Griner before & after: WNBA player's transformation over the years explored

Brittney Griner has been in the headlines for years for many different reasons. She has been one of the most famous women’s basketball players in the world.

Griner then gained international fame when she was imprisoned in Russia. The 32-year-old was detained on smuggling charges after she was found with medically-prescribed hash oil. She was playing in the Russian professional league at the time.

Griner's detainment became news as the U.S. government determined she was wrongfully detained. She was returned to the U.S. after spending time in a penal colony in a diplomatic exchange for an imprisoned Russian arms dealer. Griner was lauded as a hero upon her return and was named one of Time 100’s most influential people.

Griner has also been a lightning rod throughout her career. Let’s take a look at her journey through the years on and off the floor.

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Brittney Griner’s College career

Griner was the number one prospect coming out of high school. Her 6-foot-9-inch frame and 87.5-inch wingspan set her apart from her peers.

She also garnered national attention as one of the few female players to dunk. A YouTube highlight of her dunking in high school gained more than six million views.

Griner played college at Baylor University and was a two-time First Team All-American during her four years. In 2012, she led Baylor to a national title and won national player of the year. In her junior season, she recorded more blocks than any other team.

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Griner’s professional basketball career

Griner was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury with the number one pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. She is an eight-time WNBA All-Star.

She led the Mercury to the 2014 title. She led the league in scoring in 2017 and 2019. She is a 3-time All WNBA First-Team selection and won defensive player of the year twice.

Griner has also played professionally overseas. She spent one WNBA offseason in China and has played in the Russian League five times between 2014 and 2022.

Griner has led the U.S. national team to two gold medals in 2016 and 2020. She was also a part of two gold-medal winning World Cup teams.

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Griner’s activism

Griner is openly gay and an LGBT activist. She was the first openly gay athlete to sign a deal with Nike. She works to support children and is an activist against bullying.

Griner also now is a social activist to help Americans who are wrongfully detained abroad. This comes after her well-publicized detention in Russia.