John Jefferson Tan · Basketball Network Mon, November 9, 2026 at 3:43 AM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brittney Griner has spent years making history on the court, but her journey to becoming one of women's basketball's most recognizable figures began with painful experiences. As a player, Griner is admired by many fans, but before that, her physical appearance made her a target for relentless bullying.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, Griner struggled to fit into an environment where classmates scrutinized her looks, deep voice and tall frame. The physical differences that would eventually make her a highly touted WNBA prospect instead became weapons in the hands of schoolmates who made her feel isolated.
In a candid interview with ESPN in 2015, Griner recalled how those traumatic encounters damaged her self-esteem and made her long for the acceptance other kids her age enjoy.
"They teased me about everything, my different voice, my stature, my chest," she said . "I've always been flat-chested. I remember around sixth or seventh grade the 'cool girls' would reach out and touch my chest: 'Yep, nothing.' I felt like less than a person. It was crazy. I felt frozen. That was one of the worst things they could do."
"It definitely weighed on me. I just wanted to be one of 'the normal kids'," she added.
The constant bullying did not disappear when Griner left school. It followed her into everyday life and shaped how she responded to confrontation.
Rather than immediately developing the confidence associated with her eventual dominance, BG dealt with anger, extreme sadness and the pressure of being treated as an outsider. Basketball eventually gave Brittney an outlet, but the motivation behind her aggression was quite complicated.
Griner admitted that memories of her tormentors fuelled her intensity on the court. Sometimes, she failed to control herself and got into fights.
"I used all that teasing as my fuel, honestly," Griner further revealed. "I was always a very aggressive player. I imagined those girls touching my chest, all the time. Being called a boy all the time."
"I definitely lashed out a lot," she recalled. "I definitely got in trouble for fighting. I was just at rock bottom. I was really depressed and really sad … getting teased all the time, people telling me that I'm a freak."
Related: "I'm gay. I hope that's not a problem" – Brittney Griner on Baylor's unwritten rule under Kim Mulkey
It was during her high school years when Griner finally realized that basketball was the sport that could turn her physical attributes into advantages. Standing six feet tall as a freshman, BG continued growing and developed the athleticism that would separate her from other players.
Unlike most players, Brittney could dunk the ball.
A dunk during her sophomore year at Houston's Nimitz High School helped introduce her talent to a much wider audience. All of a sudden, people admired her. For Griner, it marked a turning point in how people treated her off the court as well.
"Dunking changed everything," Griner explained. "At the end of my sophomore year, I dunked in a game and it hit YouTube and blew up. All that teasing stopped when I started playing basketball."
Griner's rise continued at Baylor University, where she became one of college basketball's most dominant players. BG helped lead the Bears to an undefeated 40-0 season and the 2012 NCAA championship.
Apart from dunking, Griner became known for her shot-blocking ability and imposing presence inside the paint. As many had anticipated, Brittney was drafted No. 1 overall by the Phoenix Mercury and went on to become a celebrated WNBA star.
However, Griner's story didn't end on the court. She became a prominent advocate against bullying and spoke openly about self-acceptance.
Related: "Are you supposed to be in here?" – Brittney Griner recalled being mistaken for man in women's restroom
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: Sports
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