WNBA star Brittney Griner filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, in Fulton County, Georgia, citing an irretrievably broken marriage. The 35-year-old Connecticut Sun center listed their date of separation as July 24, 2026, and is seeking joint legal and physical custody of their 2-year-old son, Bash.
The legal filing submitted on July 30, 2026, brings an end to a high-profile marriage that endured intense public scrutiny, most notably during the athlete’s 10-month detention in a Russian penal colony following her arrest at Sheremetyevo International Airport in February 2022. Court records in Fulton County Superior Court show that Brittney Griner described the union as irretrievably broken
with no hope of reconciliation,
according to legal documents reviewed by USA Today.
Court Filings and Custody Requests in Fulton County
The petition outlines several requests regarding asset distribution and child care for the couple’s son, Bash Raymond Griner, who was born in July 2024. Alongside joint legal and physical custody, the filing asks for an equitable division of marital assets and debts, alongside child support determined by Georgia guidelines. The documents specify that the couple has been living apart since July 24, 2026, maintaining a bona fide state of separation.
Legal representatives for the basketball player released a brief statement regarding the proceedings. This is a matter we hope the parties can resolve privately,
attorney Randall Kessler said in an email AJC.com, adding that there would be no further comment at this time. Representatives for Cherelle Griner did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A Relationship Forged at Baylor and Tested Abroad
The couple originally met as students at Baylor University, where Brittney Griner established herself as a dominant collegiate player under coach Kim Mulkey, leading the Bears to an undefeated 40-0 national championship season in 2012. They married on June 18, 2018, though some court filings reference 2019. Their marriage faced its most severe test when Russian authorities detained Brittney Griner in February 2022 after finding vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
During the nearly 10 months that followed, Cherelle Griner—then a third-year law student—became a relentless public advocate for her wife’s release. She met with then-President Joe Biden multiple times and maintained a high-profile media campaign to keep the case in the spotlight. Brittney Griner was eventually convicted and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony before being released in December 2022 through a prisoner exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
“Today, my family is whole. But as you all are aware, there are so many other families who are not whole. BG’s not here to say this, but I will gladly speak on her behalf and say that BG and I will remain committed to the work on getting every American home, including Paul (Whelan) whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate BG being home. We do understand that there’s still people out here who are enduring what I endured the last 9 months of missing, tremendously, their loved ones.”
Cherelle Griner
Upon returning to the United States, Brittney Griner expressed deep gratitude for the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts. In subsequent interviews, including a 2024 conversation with Megan Rapinoe, the WNBA star reflected on the toll that separation took, calling the imprisonment probably one of the hardest things ever.
The couple later attended high-profile events together, including the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and the Met Gala, and welcomed their son in July 2024.
Professional Milestones and Prior Marriages
The divorce filing arrives during a busy professional stretch for the veteran center. After spending 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury and playing the 2025 campaign with the Atlanta Dream, Griner signed a one-year contract with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season. She is currently averaging a team-high 14.1 points along with 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game for the Sun.
This marks the second divorce for Griner. Her previous marriage to former WNBA player Glory Johnson in May 2015 ended after just 28 days when Griner filed for an annulment. Johnson subsequently gave birth to twin daughters via in vitro fertilization, and a Georgia court ordered Griner to pay child support in 2016.
As the legal process moves forward in Fulton County Superior Court, representatives for both parties navigate the terms of the dissolution.
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