Brittney Griner and Cherelle Joyfully Anticipate Arrival of Their First Child

US-ENTERTAINMENT-FASHION-METGALA-CELEBRITY-MUSEUM

Brittney and Cherelle Griner. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle Griner shared the exciting news that they are expecting their first child. They made the announcement on Instagram with a sweet photo of them holding hands next to an ultrasound of their baby. Cherelle, 31, expressed her joy by saying, "Can’t believe we’re less than three months away from meeting our favorite human being #BabyGrinerComingSoon #July2024," revealing that the due date is in July.

Brittney, 33, and Cherelle first met over a decade ago while both attending Baylor University from 2009 to 2013. They didn't start dating until later, but they officially tied the knot in June 2019, just a year after Brittney proposed.

The couple's pregnancy news comes one year after Brittney's release from a Russian prison. She was arrested on drug charges at a Moscow airport in February 2022 while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason. Russian authorities accused the professional basketball player of smuggling hash oil into the country in her luggage. The news of her arrest did not become public until weeks later.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cherelle T. Griner (@cherelletgriner)

In May 2022, the U.S. State Department announced that Brittney had been unfairly held and started working towards getting her released.

Griner admitted guilt in a Russian court on July 7, 2022, and was given a 9-year prison sentence. She was freed on December 8, 2022, following negotiations that swapped her release for a convicted arms dealer.

"It terrifies me," Cherelle shared with Gayle King during an interview on CBS Mornings in October 2022. She expressed her fear by mentioning how in movies, situations like hers often do not end well, and sometimes the person never gets rescued. Since her wife's detention, Cherelle described her life as feeling like a movie.

"In no world did I ever imagine our president and a foreign nation's president would be discussing the freedom of my wife," Cherelle stated. She added that despite different definitions of the situation, to her, it feels like her wife is being held as a hostage.

"I was sitting there, wondering if we would ever get her back. Will I ever see my wife again? What will happen next? Everything is so uncertain and constantly changing, which I think is a good way to describe it. Every day feels like a new challenge, and it's really scary."

After returning to the U.S., Brittney made a comeback to the basketball court in February 2023. A year later, she revealed her memoir titled Coming Home.

In a statement, she shared that the book is a testament to the strength she found in her family, faith, and the overwhelming support from millions who came together to help her during a terrifying ordeal.

The release date for Coming Home is set for May 7th.

Editor's P/S:

Brittney and Cherelle Griner's journey to parenthood is a testament to their resilience and unwavering love. Despite the challenges they have faced, including Brittney's unjust imprisonment in Russia, they have emerged stronger and are now eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child. Their story is an inspiration to all who have endured adversity and found hope in the face of darkness.

The Griners' pregnancy announcement also highlights the importance of support and advocacy. Cherelle's vocal efforts to secure Brittney's release played a crucial role in her eventual return home. It is a reminder that even in the most difficult of circumstances, the power of love and determination can prevail.