5 Shocking New Chapters In Brittney Griner's Life: From Russia's Prison To The Atlanta Dream And A Bestselling Memoir
Brittney Griner, the towering WNBA icon, continues to redefine her narrative, moving far beyond the harrowing experience of her 2022 Russian detainment. As of December 21, 2025, her life is a complex tapestry of professional challenges with a new team, profound personal revelations detailed in a bestselling book, and a relentless commitment to global human rights advocacy. This article dives into the most current and compelling chapters of her journey, from her shocking WNBA team change to the uncensored truths revealed in her recent memoir.
The 2025 season marked a major inflection point in Griner's career, seeing her leave the franchise she had known for over a decade and embrace a new role as a powerful voice for those unjustly imprisoned abroad. Her story is no longer just about basketball; it is a powerful testament to resilience, mental health awareness, and using a global platform to demand change for American detainees. The following details are the most recent and critical updates on her life and career.
Brittney Griner Complete Biography and Career Profile
Brittney Yevette Griner is one of the most dominant and influential figures in women's basketball history. Her professional and personal life has been marked by record-breaking athletic achievement and profound public struggle.
- Full Name: Brittney Yevette Griner
- Date of Birth: October 18, 1990
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
- Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
- Position: Center
- College: Baylor University (2009–2013) - Baylor Lady Bears
- WNBA Draft: 1st overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury (2013)
- Marital Status: Previously married to Glory Johnson (2015-2016); has twins.
Key Career Highlights and Records
Griner’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that cement her status as an all-time great. Her unique combination of height and athleticism allowed her to set records that may never be broken.
- NCAA Champion: 2012 (Baylor University)
- John R. Wooden Award: 2013 (Best player in women’s college basketball)
- NCAA Record: 18 career dunks (men's and women's combined)
- WNBA Champion: 2014 (Phoenix Mercury)
- WNBA All-Star: Multiple Selections
- Olympic Gold Medalist: Team USA Basketball (Multiple times)
- WNBA Record: Most career games with 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks (12 games)
The Shocking 2025 WNBA Season: A New Team and Statistical Struggle
After spending the first 11 seasons of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury, the team that drafted her first overall, Brittney Griner made a monumental change for the 2025 season. This move sent shockwaves through the league and became one of the biggest stories of the WNBA offseason.
The Move to the Atlanta Dream
In a surprising turn of events, Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 campaign, officially ending her historic tenure in Phoenix. This decision was seen by many as an attempt to find a new environment and fresh start following the intense emotional and physical toll of her 2022 detainment. The Dream, a team focused on building a new identity, saw Griner as a foundational piece of their championship aspirations.
Challenging Performance and Playoff Exit
Despite the high expectations, the 2025 season with the Atlanta Dream proved to be statistically challenging for the superstar center. While her presence alone provided a significant boost in attention and defense, her individual numbers were reported as some of the lowest of her career. The Dream ultimately secured a playoff spot but were eliminated in the opening round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. This performance has led to intense speculation about her role and future in the league, with fans and analysts debating the long-term impact of her time in Russia on her elite-level play.
New Offseason Venture: Unrivaled
Beyond the WNBA, Griner continues to be a part of the basketball world's new ventures. During the WNBA offseason, she is participating in her second campaign with Unrivaled, a new women's basketball league. Her involvement, specifically with the team Vinyl BC, highlights her commitment to growing the sport and exploring new competitive formats outside of traditional international play.
"Coming Home": The Raw Truth of Detention and New Advocacy Focus
Perhaps the most significant development in Griner's life outside of basketball is the release and impact of her compelling memoir, *Coming Home*. Co-written with Michelle Burford, the book provides a raw, unfiltered look at the darkest period of her life.
Uncensored Details of Russian Imprisonment
Published in May 2024, *Coming Home* details her entire 293-day experience, from the moment she was detained at a Russian airport for possessing vape cartridges containing hashish oil to the psychological toll of her confinement. The memoir reveals the grim details of her descent into powerlessness and the emotional struggle, including moments where she contemplated suicide. The book's success has resonated globally, with an adapted version also released for young adults.
A Powerful Voice for American Detainees
Since her return to the United States, Griner has transformed her personal trauma into a powerful platform for advocacy. She is now one of the most outspoken and recognizable figures campaigning for the release of other Americans wrongfully detained abroad, a cause that has become her life's mission.
- Evan Gershkovich: Griner has consistently used her platform to highlight the case of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who remains imprisoned in Russia.
- Mental Health Awareness: Her memoir and public appearances also focus heavily on the importance of mental health, a crucial entity of her post-detention advocacy, emphasizing the need to know one's personal limits and seek help.
- 2025 Charlotta Bass Media Honoree: In recognition of her powerful voice and use of media to advance human rights, Griner was honored as the 2025 Charlotta Bass Media honoree by USC.
Brittney Griner's journey is a powerful reminder that life's greatest challenges can forge the strongest advocates. From the court to the page, and on the global stage, she continues to use her voice to fight for justice and shed light on the plight of others, ensuring her difficult experience was not in vain.
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