WNBA Star Brittney Griner Files for Divorce from Wife Cherelle After Eight Years of Marriage

What Happened?

Brittney Griner, a famous basketball player in the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), has officially asked a court to end her marriage to Cherelle Griner. The couple had been married for eight years. Brittney filed the paperwork on Thursday in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia.

Important Point: This news comes from official court documents obtained by ABC News. The legal process has just begun.

Key Details from the Court Filing

Here are the main facts listed in the divorce petition (the official request to the court):

• Marriage Date: June 2018
• Separation Date: July 24, 2026 (Note: This date is in the future as of the filing)
• Legal Reason: The marriage is "irretrievably broken" with "no hope of reconciliation" — meaning both sides believe the relationship cannot be fixed.
• Filed By: Brittney Griner (referred to as "the petitioner" in legal terms)

About Their Son Bash

The couple has a young son named Bash, who was born in 2024.

• Brittney is asking the court for joint physical custody.
• This means both parents would share time living with and caring for Bash.
• The goal is to make sure Bash continues to have a strong relationship with both moms.

Property and Financial Matters

Brittney is also asking the court to fairly divide everything the couple owns and owes together. This includes:

• Real property (like houses or land)
• Personal property (cars, jewelry, furniture, etc.)
• Tangible assets (things you can touch)
• Intangible assets (things like retirement accounts, investments, or intellectual property)
• Marital debts (loans, credit cards, or other shared financial obligations)

Important Point: The legal term used is "equitable division" — this doesn’t always mean 50/50, but rather what the court decides is fair based on the situation.

Background: Brittney’s Detention in Russia

This divorce comes four years after a very difficult time for the family.

What Happened in 2022:

1. February 2022: Brittney was detained at a Moscow airport by Russian authorities.
2. Accusation: She was accused of carrying vaping cartridges with hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia.
3. Result: She was held for 10 months and sentenced to 9 years in prison.
4. December 2022: She was released in a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia.

Cherelle’s Role During the Crisis

While Brittney was in custody, Cherelle became a powerful public advocate for her wife’s release.

• Cherelle is an attorney (a lawyer).
• She spoke publicly many times, including on Good Morning America in May 2022.
• Her words:
  

  "I won’t go down until she’s back … every single day matters for me to be sound, for me to be alert, for me to be attentive, to make sure that she comes back."

After Brittney came home on December 16, 2022, she posted on Instagram:

"It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help."

What Happens Next?

Since this is a legal process, here’s what usually happens step by step:

1. Cherelle receives the divorce papers (this is called being "served").
2. She has a set time to respond — usually 30 days in Georgia.
3. Both sides may negotiate privately (as Brittney’s attorney hopes) or go to court.
4. The court decides on:
   • Custody of Bash
   • Division of property and debts
   • Any spousal support (if applicable)
5. Final divorce decree is issued — the marriage is legally over.

Important Point: Brittney’s attorney said: "This is a matter we hope the parties can resolve privately. There is no further comment at this time."
ABC News has reached out to Cherelle for comment but has not yet received a response.

Summary

• Brittney Griner filed for divorce from Cherelle Griner after 8 years of marriage.
• They have a son, Bash (born 2024), and Brittney is seeking joint custody.
• The couple separated on July 24, 2026, and the marriage is described as irretrievably broken.
• Brittney wants a fair split of all assets and debts.
• This follows Brittney’s 10-month detention in Russia (2022), during which Cherelle fought publicly for her release.
• The case is now in the Georgia court system, and both sides may try to settle privately.

FAQ

1. Why did Brittney Griner file for divorce?
The court documents say the marriage is "irretrievably broken" with "no hope of reconciliation." No specific reason (like cheating or abuse) was listed — just that the relationship cannot be repaired.

2. When did they get married and when did they separate?
They married in June 2018 and separated on July 24, 2026, according to the petition.

3. Who will take care of their son Bash?
Brittney is asking for joint physical custody, meaning both parents would share parenting time. The court will decide what’s in Bash’s best interest.

4. What does "equitable division" mean?
It means a fair (not necessarily equal) split of everything they own and owe together — houses, money, cars, debts, etc. The judge decides what’s fair.

5. Is this related to Brittney’s time in a Russian prison?
The divorce comes four years after her release. While the stress of that experience may have played a role, the filing doesn’t mention it as a cause. Cherelle was a strong supporter during that time.