How long were Brittney Griner and wife Cherelle together? Inside their marriage after WNBA athlete files for divorce from longtime partner

Brittney Griner has filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, ending nearly 8 years of their relationship.

The former couple met while attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas, sometime in 2016. After two years of dating, Brittney Griner proposed to Cherelle. They tied the knot around 2019, although the court documents later showed that their marriage was legalized in 2018.

Nevertheless, the two officially divorced on July 30, 2026. According to the court papers filed in the Fulton County Superior Court, Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner's marriage is "irretrievably broken," and there is "no hope of reconciliation.

In a statement to ABC News, Brittney Griner released a statement through her lawyer, writing:

"This is a matter we hope the parties can resolve privately. There is no further comment at this time."

It further states that they have been separated and not having an intimate relationship since July 24.

The couple has a 2-year-old boy named Bash Raymond Griner, who was born in July 2024. According to the court documents, Brittney asked for joint physical custody of her child as per the best interest of their son.

It further requests the court to decide the amount of child support in accordance with the Child Support Guidelines of Georgia.

Alongside issues relating to custody, Brittney is also demanding an equitable split of their matrimonial property. She also requested that her separate property, including assets acquired before the marriage and inherited property, be retained.

Brittney Griner's Russian detainment and Cherelle Griner's support

Brittney Griner, 35, and her wife's, 34, relationship drew widespread public attention during the WNBA star's detention in Russia in 2022. At the time, she was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony.

Amidst her incarceration, her wife, Cherelle Griner, became one of the most prominent advocates for her release. She launched an active campaign in her support until she was finally freed in a U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange.

In a conversation with People, Cherelle talked about the feeling of being reunited with her partner after the release.

"I couldn't stop touching her face. I was like, 'Is this really you?' It did not feel real. It was chilling, and warm. I was just holding on tight. I couldn't let her go."

She went on to reveal that they spent the whole night until sunrise talking, filling the gaps of the months they missed each other their exchanged letters couldn't.

"The first night, we didn't sleep at all. We just talked all night long and all morning. And it was so good to be able to do it without three weeks in between the conversation, because for 10 months we were passing letters. It was great to have that dialogue back and forth."

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Following Brittney's return to the U.S., the two were seen together attending the NAACP Image Awards. They also continued building their family and welcomed their son two years later.

As of writing, neither Brittney nor Cherelle has further commented on the divorce filing.

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