Meet Sandra Griner, the powerhouse mother fueling basketball ace Brittney Griner‘s journey. While Brittney soared to Olympic glory in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, her path took a tough turn—landing her in a Russian penal colony for admitting to drug charges, serving a nine-year sentence.

Behind the scenes, Brittney’s parents are unwavering support and stand tall. Though specifics about Sandra—her age, nationality, ethnicity, or net worth—aren’t widely known, her steadfast presence echoes louder than words.

Sandra’s not just about Brittney’s career; she’s the silent strength exemplifying the significance of family amidst challenges. In this tale of triumph and hardship, Sandra remains a steady force, showcasing why family support matters most.

Who Is Brittney Griner’s Mother? Her Age, Nationality, Ethnicity, Parents, Wiki

Sandra Griner, born in 1967, remains a bit of a mystery, her full birth details not widely disclosed. At 56 years old in 2023, this Texan native from Houston exudes the charm of a Leo and carries her faith as a Christian.

Sandra Griner is the mother of WNBA player Brittney Griner.
Sandra Griner is the mother of WNBA player Brittney Griner. Source: Pinterest

Her family life paints a modest picture: her mother, a homemaker, and her father, once part of a company and now in retirement. Whether Sandra has siblings remains undisclosed.

As for her education, she walked the halls of Kashmere High School in Houston, completing her primary and high school studies in her hometown.

Sandra’s story, though modestly shared, underscores her journey and steadfast support for her daughter, Brittney Griner, amid the challenges and triumphs of life.

Is Sandra Griner Married? Who Is Her Husband?

Sandra Griner, a prominent figure, particularly in Houston, Texas, gains recognition as the mother of basketball sensation Brittney Griner. Her marital ties link her to Raymond Griner, an American military veteran who served during the Vietnam War from 1968-1969.

Their wedding date? That’s still a mystery. Details regarding his heritage or early life remain undisclosed, adding an air of mystery to this union between Sandra and Raymond Griner within the larger narrative of Brittney’s inspiring journey in sports.

Raymond is all-American, with African American roots, but details about his background before tying the knot are pretty scarce. Even with this secrecy, their connection adds an intriguing layer to Brittney’s story, where family ties meet the spotlight of sports stardom.

How Many Children Does She Have?

Brittney’s parents, Sandra and Raymond, make a cool team with four awesome kids: Shkera, Pier, Brittney (yeah, the basketball star!), and Decarlo.

Sandra Griner with her daughter and her wife.
Sandra Griner with her daughter and her wife. Source: Instagram

These two lovebirds, Sandra and Raymond, are total #relationshipgoals. They’ve been rocking married life for ages, backing each other and their squad through thick and thin, especially cheering on Brittney in her hoops journey. Sandra’s a stellar mom and their family? Tight-knit and full of love.

They’re not just any family—they’re all about that Texas pride, living together and setting a rad example of a supportive and loving crew. The Grinders? They’re the definition of family goals, Texas-style!

What Happened To Griner’s Daughter, Brittney Griner?

The trouble began for the 33-year-old athlete on February 17, 2022, at Moscow’s airport. Even though she had a tiny bit of cannabis oil in her bag, Russian authorities accused her of smuggling serious illegal drugs.

After admitting to the charges in July and receiving a guilty verdict a month later, she was slapped with a nine-year sentence. Her legal team tried for a lighter sentence in October, and while part of her time in jail was considered, the sentence was still hefty.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap.
WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap. Source: Pinterest

Brittney Griner’s journey from a Moscow jail to freedom on December 8, 2022, marked the end of almost 10 months behind bars. She was released in exchange for Viktor Bout, a well-known arms dealer.

While many folks in the United States were glad she was out, others felt puzzled, wondering why she was chosen over Paul Whelan, a former Marine wrongly held captive for years.

Her release happened smoothly at Abu Dhabi Airport in a swap arranged by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite efforts by the US government to free both Griner and Paul Whelan, Russia insisted only on Griner’s exchange, sparking debate and disagreement.

Is Brittney a Lesbian?

Yes, Brittney Griner, Sandra Griner’s daughter, is known for openly identifying as a lesbian and advocating for LGBTQ rights. But her love life had some bumps—her first marriage with Glory Johnson in 2015? Lots of trouble, including an arrest before the wedding. They split in 2016, and she pays about $2,516 each month for child support.

Brittney Griner with her longtime wife.
Brittney Griner with her longtime wife. Source: Pinterest

On the flip side, her second marriage with Cherelle T. Griner since June 2019? Smooth sailing! They got engaged in 2018, and their married life is drama-free.

And hey, did you know Brittney’s a co-parent to twin girls, Ava Simone and Solei Diem? They were born early through in vitro fertilization during her first marriage in 2015.

Brittney’s not just about hoops; she’s also making waves by being open about her life and standing up for what she believes in.

Career: What Does Sandra Griner Do?

Sandra Griner keeps her work life private, but her daughter Brittney, aged 33, rocks the basketball world. Brittney’s a big shot at the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, bagging two Olympic golds and nailing six All-Star games. She even made Time magazine’s top 100 influential people list in 2023!

Back in 2009, high school was Brittney’s court—she was the country’s top women’s basketball star. Off to Baylor University on a scholarship, she swept up awards like Naismith and Wooden, owning a whopping 748 blocks, setting a record!

Brittney Griner is WNBA and is famous with her longtime wife. Source: Pinterest

Then in 2013, she smashed records in the WNBA draft, picked first by the Phoenix Mercury. Two dunks in one game? No biggie for Brittney. She led her team to a WNBA championship in 2014 and bagged back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. Scoring champ in 2017 and 2019? That’s just how she rolls.

But Brittney’s not just about the WNBA; she’s Team USA material, snagging gold at the 2016 and pandemic-shifted 2020 (played in 2021) Olympics. She even played abroad, dominating in Russia with multiple EuroLeague championship wins when the WNBA season took a break.

Net Worth: How Rich Is She?

Sandra Griner’s net worth and salary remain undisclosed. However, her daughter Brittney Griner, the basketball sensation, stands as a millionaire.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Brittney boasts a net worth of $5 million. At her peak in the WNBA, Brittney earned an annual salary of $227,000, hitting the league maximum. Like many top players in the WNBA, Brittney sought higher earnings by playing overseas.

For instance, in 2014, she pocketed $600,000 for a three-month stint with a Chinese team. In recent years, her overseas ventures, particularly in Russia, have seen her earnings soar to approximately $1.5 million annually.

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