Brittney Griner

BOLD. STRONG. AUTHENTIC. These are just a few words that define Brittney Griner – a humanitarian committed to pushing boundaries, redefining her sport and creating visibility for people too often forgotten. She has persevered through unfathomable trials while under a global microscope, grounded in her faith, lifted by her humor and driven by her indomitable spirit. Standing 6’9”, showcasing a blend of size and skill not seen before in the women’s game, and well-known for her warmth and charisma, BG is a rare, icon athlete and extraordinary human – whose journey has only made her stronger.

In February 2022, BG was wrongfully detained in Russia. For nearly 10 months, she endured circumstances meant to break the human spirit. During this time, The White House joined forces with her loved ones, agency, fellow athletes, influential allies, and individuals around the world to advocate for her safe return during one of the most tumultuous times in the history of the United States’ relationship with Russia. BG was released in an exchange on December 8, 2022 – a move that felt nothing short of a Christmas miracle – and returned home to the United States prepared to use her platform to help bring home fellow wrongfully detained Americans. Her primary partner in the effort is Bring Our Families Home, a campaign of the James Foley Foundation, devoted to bringing attention and action to American detainees and their cases.

As she embarks on the next phase of her journey, BG will continue to be a leader and advocate on and off the court. On top of her commitment to service-focused organizations (Phoenix Rescue Mission, It Gets Better Project and a range of LGBTQ orgs), she carries a continued commitment to be a voice for all wrongfully detained Americans, their families and various military service support organizations.

Griner is vanguard for a new generation of athletes: a symbol of undeniable strength and a pillar for those who know that to be the best, they must also be unapologetically true to themselves. In addition to her athletic prowess and philanthropic efforts, she is a New York Times Best Selling Author of IN MY SKIN, which chronicles her life up through her first year in the WNBA, with a forthcoming second memoir with Knopf Publishing.