Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is gearing up for an exciting new chapter in her life. As the WNBA standout prepares to welcome her third child, she’s making it clear that sports will undoubtedly be a part of her future child’s life. Griner, who has been a dominant force on the basketball court for years, recently opened up about her expectations for her child's athletic future.
When asked whether her upcoming child will be involved in sports, Griner didn't hesitate.
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, as reported by TMZ. “Sports, what? C'mon now. Of course.”
The enthusiastic declaration is no surprise given Griner's storied career. From recording 52 dunks during her high school senior year to winning a national championship with Baylor in 2012 and a WNBA title two years later, Griner has always been immersed in the world of sports. She was named the No. 1 high school player in the country by Rivals.com in 2009, and in college, was named AP Player of the Year in 2012.
Griner and her wife, Cherelle, shared their joyful news of their pregnancy in April on Instagram, announcing that they are expecting a baby due in July 2024. This will be Griner’s third child, following the birth of twins in her previous marriage to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson.
The couple expressed their excitement in a collaborative post, saying, “Can’t believe we’re less than three months away from meeting our favorite human being.”
Brittney Griner’s growing family
The news of their growing family comes after a tumultuous period in Griner’s life. In 2022, she faced a harrowing ordeal when she was detained in Russia for 294 days after vape cartridges containing marijuana concentrate were found in her luggage. Griner was eventually released through a one-for-one prisoner exchange facilitated by the U.S. government. During her detention, Cherelle was vocal in advocating for her release, working closely with President Joe Biden and his administration.
Despite the challenges, Griner returned to the court with determination. In the 2023 season, she averaged 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game and was named a WNBA All-Star. While the Phoenix Mercury struggled with a 9-31 record, Griner’s performance remained a bright spot for the team and her fans. She is unfortunatley sidelined indefeinitely this season due to a foot injury.
Griner’s thoughts on WNBA’s growing popularity
Griner also shared her thoughts on the rising popularity of the WNBA, particularly with the emergence of new stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink.
“I think it's amazing for women's sports, with these rookies – I think it's amazing,” she said, highlighting the positive impact of the new generation of players on the league.
Brittney and Cherelle Griner’s relationship has a deep-rooted history. The couple first met while studying at Baylor University from 2009 to 2013. Although they didn’t start dating until after their college days, Brittney proposed to Cherelle in 2018, and they married in 2019.
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