WNBA player Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherrelle Griner, have filed for divorce after eight years of marriage, according to court records filed recently in Fulton County, Georgia. The documents indicate that the couple separated the previous week and cited an irretrievable breakdown of their marriage.

Brittney Griner, the 35-year-old center for the Connecticut Sun, gained international attention when she was detained in Russia in early 2022 on charges related to possession of cannabis vaporizer cartridges containing hash oil. She was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow shortly before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an event that substantially strained Russia's relations with Western countries.

Cherrelle Griner, a lawyer, was publicly supportive of her wife throughout the ordeal, describing Brittney as a political pawn during her detention. In interviews, Cherrelle expressed concerns about the lasting impact of the harsh imprisonment on Brittney, who spent four months in a Russian penal colony before being released. The United States government negotiated a prisoner exchange in December 2022 that secured Griner’s return in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The couple welcomed their son Bash in July 2024. According to the divorce filings, both Brittney and Cherrelle seek joint custody of their two-year-old child.

Brittney Griner is widely recognized in professional basketball circles for her defensive prowess and career achievements. Standing 6-foot-9, she holds the WNBA record for blocked shots and was part of the Phoenix Mercury’s 2014 championship team. Originally from Texas, Griner was a standout athlete at Baylor University, where she met Cherrelle.

Earlier this year, the Connecticut Sun signed Griner to a one-year contract reportedly worth seven figures. The three-time Olympic gold medalist continues to be an influential figure both on and off the court.