Brittney Griner is one of the most unique athletes the WNBA has ever come across. She has used her insane size to completely change women’s basketball. Standing at 6’9″, the WNBA All-Star has been a dominant force. However, while her size has been her greatest weapon n the court, she has faced trouble in her daily life because of it as well.

Ever since her days with Baylor University, the world knew Griner was special. She set the NCAA record for most blocks in a single season with 223. Likewise, after leading Baylor to a perfect 40-0 record, she became the number one draft pick in 2013. Just one year later, the Phoenix Mercury set the record for most wins in WNBA history. And Griner helped the franchise win its third title.

Notably, Griner has faced adversity when it came to her identity as a woman.

Brittney Griner details gender identity struggles

Griner has become a revolutionary athlete due to her unique skillset. With the most dunks in WNBA history, she quickly rushed to the top. However, her life outside the court hasn’t been all that easy. While gracing the cover of ESPN’s “Body Issue”, the Mercury star spoke about her struggles with gender identity. Notably, her appearance caused women to think of her as a man.

6’9 Brittney Griner Has “Bigger Feet” than 7’2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar As Rare Photo Shows Size Difference

The two-time WNBA DPOY spoke about a few instances saying, “In China, it happens all the time! One time when I went into the bathroom there, a lady was so shocked that she was pushing me out; she was so hysterically shocked that I was in there. I couldn’t do anything but laugh. I didn’t even try to defend myself and tell her I was a girl.” Griner continued, “I’ve even had to do that in the States a couple of times.” 

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However, Brittney Griner has laughed in the face of adversity. She even spoke about her struggles as a child. In 2014, while engraving the Phoenix Mercury in the history books, the 31-year-old also came out with a book. Detailing her life and struggles with sexuality, Griner came out with ‘In My Skin: My Life on and Off the Basketball Court’. She also became the first openly gay athlete to be endorsed by sports mammoths Nike.

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While she dictated her destiny with her sexuality, her current crisis may be out of her hands. Facing a sentence of nine years in a Russian prison, Brittney Griner is yet to return home. Furthermore, efforts by the US government to bring her back home continue to take place.