First published 2014
Brittney Griner stands six foot eight with an eighty-eight-inch wingspan, but her size made her a target for bullies throughout middle school and high school. ESPN calls her the world's most famous female basketball player, yet she spent years feeling uncomfortable in her own skin. The Phoenix Mercury star and three-time All-American faced constant taunting about her appearance and sexuality. Anger became her weakness, often leading to physical confrontations. Basketball offered her refuge. The court became the one place she felt truly free. Griner chronicles her journey from a troubled adolescent to the number one pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. She reflects on painful moments, including the infamous punch she threw during her freshman season at Baylor University and the crushing loss to Louisville that ended her championship dreams. She explores her complicated relationships with her father Ray and coach Kim Mulkey, plus her conflicted feelings about playing for a school that opposed homosexuality. Through supportive family bonds and basketball achievements, Griner learned to celebrate what makes her unique.
Genres: autobiography, sports, biography-memoir, basketball
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: Baylor University, Louisville, Phoenix
Period: 2013
224 pages · Hardcover · Dey Street Books
Content warnings: physical-abuse