Brittney Griner

Houston Native Brittney Yevette Griner is a megastar forward-center currently playing for the Baylor University Lady Bears basketball team. Standing 6`8 and possessing Hakeem Olajuwon skills, Griner is well on her way to becoming the best woman basketball player of all time, something on par with being the Wilt Chamberlain of the WNBA. Moreover, she is perhaps the first woman in history with the ability to do a REAL "throw it down" dunk, and if we're being honest, she would probably at least a serviceable player in the NBA.

Brittney Griner Early Life

Griner was born at St. Joseph Hospital in downtown Houston on October 18,1990 to Raymond and Sandra Griner. At birth she weighed 10 pounds, 11 ounces. Griner grew up in Houston, where her parents still reside. Her father, Raymond, stands 6`2, served in Vietnam as a Marine, and is a Harris County deputy sheriff. Her mother, Sandra, stands a very average 5`6. She has three older siblings: D, Shkera and Pier Griner (who stands 5`8).

As an elementary student, Griner won two trophies competing against boys in the NFL's Punt, Pass & Kick competitions. She didn't play organized basketball until she was in 8th grade. Quickly outpacing her female teammates, Griner began practicing with her high school's boys team when she was in 10th grade, attending both the girls and boys practice back-to-back in a given day. It was around that time that Griner became obsessed with learning to dunk.

Brittney Griner The Punch

Despite incredible basketball credentials, and a video of her dunking that went viral while she was still in high school, Griner first reached national household name status due to a notorious on-court incident. Truly, more Hakeem Olajuwon than Bill Laimbeer, this gentle giant was once provoked into displaying her one-punch knockout ability when Texas Tech player Jordan Barncastle's dirty play throughout the game against Griner, caused the giant to finally retaliate with, what was arguably, a well-deserved parting shot that left Barncastle with a broken nose.

Still, it wasn't Griner's first on-court brawl. In high school, Griner took offense to being kicked in the head and retaliated by getting up, charging the length of the court, and executing a another one-punch knockout of an offending opponent.

Brittney Griner Getting to Know Griner

Griner has no piercings and once explained this to ESPN as, "I don't do needles." However, the prohibition on needles doesn't extend to her hobby of crochet, and Griner once boasted ESPN, "If you ever need a pillow, I can make you a pillow." Griner is an avid gamer. Grand Theft Auto II was once among her favorites. Her father taught his daughter how to work on cars, including changing the oil and repairing brakes. Ever the daddy's girl, her father bought her a 2006 Dodge Magnum in 2008 although she didn't have a license to drive.

Griner is a full-time student athlete at Baylor University, where she majors in general studies with an emphasis on outdoor recreation (i.e., professional college athlete with a focus on not letting academics interfere with hoops). Known for being down to earth and altruistic, Griner devotes a great deal of her time to volunteering with Salvation Army, Waco Zoo, Waco's Gospel Cafe, South Waco Recreation Center and Woodway Family Center, in addition to regularly speaking at local schools.

Brittney Griner Personal

Despite stereotypical assumptions about her sexuality, Griner once told ESPN that she sees herself having a boyfriend one day. When asked what she was looking for in Mr. Right, Griner responded, "He'll have to be tall, I guess."

Brittney Griner Is She Hot?

Is there anyone who is more of an absolute hit or miss? There are those that say she looks like a man. They find her too masculine, too tomboyish, too deep of a voice, and too damn tall! But there are also a significant portion of gentleman who appreciate the uniqueness she brings to the table. They notice her toned body, long legs, down to earth personality, the richness in her voice, and who actually adjudge her features to be feminine and attractive.

Even more, there are just some men who are absolutely drawn to big strong women, whether it be a function of being henpecked and wanting to feel safe, tired and desirous of more than a frail companion who doesn't understand any sport, or hyper-confident and desirous of an equal. Hey, Amazonian is one of many "types," and Griner is proof that what scares one man, lures in another! The beauty of women is that there's one for every taste, regardless of what floats your boat.