Brittney Griner Files for Divorce From Cherelle After Eight Years, Seeks Joint Custody of Son
Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner faced an international crisis together, and their marriage became a symbol of loyalty during a difficult time in Brittney’s life. Now, less than four years after Brittney came home from Russian detention, they are preparing to separate.
Brittney, who plays for the Connecticut Sun, filed for divorce in Fulton County, Georgia, on Thursday, July 30. The petition says the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” notes the couple separated on July 24, and states Brittney does not think they can reconcile. This filing ends a relationship that lasted through months of forced separation and a global effort to bring Brittney home. Now, the focus shifts to more private matters, including their two-year-old son Bash, custody, and dividing what they built together.
A court filing brings an abrupt change
The petition says Brittney is asking for joint custody of Bash, both temporarily and permanently. She also wants the court to set child support based on Georgia law and to divide their assets fairly. These requests are standard in divorces, especially when young children are involved, and do not mean the divorce is hostile.
Public reports do not mention any claims of infidelity, abuse, or financial wrongdoing. The focus is on the legal claim that the marriage cannot be repaired. As of Friday, July 31, neither Brittney nor Cherelle had made a detailed public statement about the separation. Because of their high-profile history, people may speculate, but there is no confirmed reason for the split. Without comments from either woman, any theories would just be guesses.
Their love story began before the headlines
Brittney and Cherelle met as students at Baylor University in Texas. Brittney became a standout basketball player there, helping Baylor go undefeated and win the national championship in 2012. The divorce petition says they married in June 2018, though some reports had said 2019. Their relationship became much more public in February 2022, when Russian authorities detained Brittney near Moscow after finding vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage.
Brittney later pleaded guilty but said she packed the cartridges by accident. A Russian court sentenced her to nine years in prison, and the U.S. government called her wrongfully detained and criticized how Russian authorities treated her. As the situation continued through most of 2022, Cherelle became a leading voice asking Washington to do more. She gave interviews, met with officials, and kept urging the Biden administration to help free her wife.
Cherelle became the public face of the fight
Cherelle talked openly about how hard it was to have limited contact and the fear that Brittney might spend years in a Russian prison. Her efforts reminded people that this was not just about a famous athlete or an international issue, but about a family facing daily uncertainty. Brittney was released on December 8, 2022, in a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Cherelle was in the Oval Office when she spoke with Brittney as she started her trip home.
Their reunion seemed to end the hardest part of their marriage. Brittney went back to playing basketball and returned to public life after almost 10 months in Russian custody. In 2024, Brittney and Cherelle had their first child together, a son named Bash. Brittney said becoming a parent changed her view of what was most important.
The birth of their son seemed like a hopeful new start after years marked by detention and recovery. Family photos and kind messages gave the public an image of stability, including a birthday tribute Brittney reportedly posted just weeks before the divorce filing. This contrast makes the news feel sudden. Still, public affection does not always show what is happening in private. A social media post can be sincere but may not reveal every challenge behind the scenes.
Their son now becomes the central concern
Bash will be the main focus in the legal process. The court will consider what is best for him when deciding custody and parenting time, as both parents adjust to raising him in separate homes.
The divorce comes as Brittney is also making changes in her career. After playing the 2025 season with the Atlanta Dream, she signed with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 WNBA season. The team lists her as a 12-year veteran and a 10-time WNBA All-Star. She has won a WNBA championship and two Defensive Player of the Year awards, making her one of the league’s top centers.
Even with her athletic success, Brittney is not immune to personal challenges. She has spent years rebuilding her career and identity after her detention became global news. Now, the divorce brings another tough change, but this time it will be handled in family court instead of through diplomacy. This is Brittney’s second marriage to end. She married former WNBA player Glory Johnson in 2015 and asked for an annulment less than a month later. That marriage ended in divorce.
A private ending to a very public partnership
People will remember Brittney and Cherelle’s marriage in part because of what happened during the Russian detention crisis. Cherelle’s determination kept Brittney’s case in the spotlight with officials, the media, and supporters. Still, support during a crisis does not mean a marriage will last forever. Relationships can survive great pressure and still change later for reasons only the people involved may fully understand.
At this point, only a few facts are confirmed. Brittney has filed for divorce, the couple has been separated since July 24, and she is asking for joint custody of their son and a fair division of their property. The rest will be handled by the legal process and kept private unless either woman chooses to share more. Their story was once international news as people waited for Brittney to return home. Now, it may be best to let them decide what home means for themselves.
