Brittney Griner is one of the greatest WNBA players. As we all know, she is part of the LGBTQ community and is quite proud of it as well. Griner is married to, Cherelle, who was one of many people to wish for her safe return from Russia.
She came back to the United States after spending 10 months in a Russian prison. Since her release, the Phoenix Mercury star has been the talk of the town. As her name keeps coming up in several topics, Brittney’s sexuality lets us ponder about who else might be part of the LGBTQ+ community in the WNBA as well.
Who are the other WNBA players to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community?
In the WNBA, there are women who aren’t afraid of gender stereotypes and the views of others. As a result, they have been quite open about their sexuality, like Brittney. It would be safe to claim that Brittney might be the most popular player in terms of this, though.
Brittney Griner
We all know Brittney Griner is one of the league’s superstars to be open about her sexuality. In 2013, she came out to the rest of the world as a lesbian. That was a memorable year for her since it was when the Phoenix Mercury drafted her at #1 in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Brittney is currently with Cherelle. The pair used to post images often on social media, before Brittney’s arrest in Russia.
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Since joining the league, Griner has established herself as one of the most dominant centers. The numbers she has put up over the years are truly astonishing. Brittney has averaged 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during the regular season. Griner has 1 WNBA championship to her name, which she won with the Phoenix Mercury, which is the only team she has played for in the league.
Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart is also one of the names on the list. She has been in the league since 2016 when the Seattle Storm drafted her at #1 in the 2016 WNBA Draft. Breanna has won the championship on two occasions, in 2018 and 2020. The 28-year-old has averaged 20.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in her WNBA career so far.
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Like Brittney, Stewart has only played for one team in the league. However, she has represented the UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, just like Griner. Along with the two rings, Stewart has also won the Finals MVP award twice (2018,2020). If that wasn’t enough, she was the WNBA MVP in 2018 as well. It looks like she has been a major contributor to the Storm’s triumphs.
Sheryl Swoopes
Next up, it’s Sheryl Swoopes. She came out to the world in 2005. Sheryl was one of the most famous athletes to do so at the time. She joined the Houston Comets in 1997 and quickly made her mark as one of the best women’s basketball players. Sheryl played a pivotal role in the Comets winning 4 championships (1997-2000) in a row.
Together with the rings, she has 3 WNBA MVP awards (2000, 2002, & 2005). During her illustrious career, Swoopes played for the Houston Comets, Seattle Storm, and the Tulsa Shock, before retiring in 2011. In her career, Sheryl averaged 15 points per game, along with 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Diana Taurasi
Just like her best friend Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi was also the first pick in a WNBA Draft. The Phoenix Mercury drafted her at #1 way back in 2004. Since then, she has cemented her status as one of the greatest players in the league, and USA basketball.
Diana has 3 championship rings (2007, 2009, & 2014) together with 2 Finals MVP awards in 2009 and 2014. Like Griner, she has played overseas as well. Diana has put on the jersey for Dynamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray Medical Park, and UMMC Ekaterinburg, the team that Brittney and Breanna also played for.
Sue Bird
Sue Bird is one of the most famous players in the league. We all know that she is on the cover of the popular video game; NBA 2K23. Along with Diana, Bird also features on the cover. It looks like the Seattle Storm has another world-class player on their roster. The Storm drafted her at #1 in the 2002 WNBA Draft. Since then, she has made her way to being one of the greatest in the league.
Bird has WNBA Championship rings to her name (2004, 2010, 2018, & 2020). If that wasn’t enough to cement her legacy, Sue went and bagged 13 All-Star appearances. Apart from being an icon on the WNBA court, Bird is also in a relationship with soccer star Megan Rapinoe. The pair are engaged and are expected to tie the knot soon.
Angel McCoughtry
In 2009, the Atlanta Dream picked her up at number 1 in the draft. Despite boasting various honorable and prestigious accolades to her name, Angel has never won a WNBA ring. However, she has been the league’s scoring champion twice, in 2012 and 2013.
Angel has played for the Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA, together with several other stints overseas in countries like Slovakia, Lebanon, and Russia.
Elena Delle Donne
Elena Delle Done came out in 2016, with her then-partner Amanda Clifton. The pair are now engaged and are planning their wedding. Elena won the WNBA championship in 2019, with the Washington Mystics. She has also represented the Chicago Sky in the past.
The Sky welcomed her after taking her in as the #2 pick of the 2012 WNBA Draft. She was an integral part of the team that went to the finals that year. However, they were defeated but none other than Brittney Griner and Co.
Briann January
Briann January was the 6th overall pick when she joined the Indiana Fever back in 2009. Together with the Fever, Briann also played for the Phoenix Mercury, Connecticut Sun, and the Seattle Storm.
She was featured on WNBA’s All-Defensive First Team on 5 occasions. In addition to that, she also became the EuroLeague Champion this year.
Natasha Howard
Like Briann, Natasha was also drafted by the Indiana Fever. She is a 3x WNBA champion. Natasha won two rings with the Seattle Storm, while the other was when she played for the Minnesota Lynx.
Howard has represented numerous WNBA teams, such as the Storm, Lynx, and the New York Liberty, which is where she plays right now. Howard has also had spells in other countries including Italy and Turkey.
Candace Parker
The Los Angeles Sparks drafted her more than a decade ago in 2008. Since then, Parker has made a name for herself in the league. She has won various awards during her time.
Candace has played for the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky in the WNBA. The American player won the championship for these two teams in 2016 and 2021.
Other names include:
- Natisha Hiedeman (Connecticut Sun)
- Courtney Williams (Connecticut Sun)
- Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun)
- Setafanie Dolson (New York Liberty)
- Aeriel Powers (Minnesota Lynx)
- Natasha Cloud (Washington Mystics)
- Destanni Henderson (Indiana Fever)
- Asia Durr (New York Liberty)
- Tiffany Hayes (Atlanta Dream)
- Erica Wheeler (Atlanta Dream)
- Allie Quigley (Chicago Sky)
- Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky)
- Brittney Skyes (Los Angeles Sparks)
- Crystal Dangerfield (Indiana Fever)
- Jasmine Thomas (Connecticut Sun)
- DeWanna Bonner (Connecticut Sun)
The list of players who are part of the LGBTQ+ community grows longer as time passes. It looks like the players are feeling more empowered to let the world know that they might be different in a way. However, they are still balling out in front of millions on one of the biggest stages in the world.