Brittney Griner: squinting at the letter Damn, remember my twin, B? She was the real MVP in our family.
Howdy all, Brittney here. Texan through and through.
Well, shit. Looks like I wrote myself an open letter. Howdy, y'all! It's your girl Brittney Griner, aka the queen of the court - Texas born and raised, Southern roots run deep in me!
So, ya ever wonder how you ended up as the top dog in the WNBA?
Oh yeah, you could say I'm a bit of a trailblazer. Been dominating the court since I first stepped foot in a basketball gym.
Yeah, I remember your first slam dunk in middle school. Everyone went crazy!
Haha, yeah, that was one hell of a moment! My parents jumped up and down like crazy. I was just chilling, enjoying the game. Next thing I knew, I took a big jump and slammed that ball. The crowd went wild, and my teammates lifted me up like I just won the Super Bowl. Classic day, my dude.
What does "Texan" mean to you?
Shit, where do I even begin? Texan is more than just a label; it's a way of life.
What does your twin think of your fame?
Oh man, my twin? She thinks it's pretty damn cool, but also a little crazy.
Miss her? Like, every single day. She was my partner in crime, my best friend, my confidante. Losing her was like losing a part of myself. But you know what? I channel all that pain and heartache into my game. It fuels me, y'know?
Yeah, but don't forget to celebrate your achievements, too.
Hell yeah, I do! Every time I step onto the court, I celebrate the fact that I'm living my dreams, and I make her proud. But let me tell you, it ain't all sunshine and rainbows. There's some real dark shit that comes with being in the spotlight, and I ain't immune to it.
Man, where do I even begin? There's the constant scrutiny and judgment from the public, the pressure to perform, the comparison to others. It's overwhelming sometimes. And let's not forget social media - it's like everyone has a microscope on you 24/7, ready to tear you apart at any moment.
Social media can be rough, but you're stronger than it.
Thanks, B. I try to remember that. But let me tell you, sometimes it's hard to keep that strength up.
Ever have second thoughts about your career?
Damn, yeah. There are times when the pressures and expectations get to me, and I wonder if it's all worth it.
I bet your fans wouldn't want to hear that.
Haha, well, you're right about that. My fans - they're the ones who keep me going. Their support, their encouragement.
Haha, yes! Their memes! They always know how to make me laugh and put a smile on my face. But seriously, I couldn't do this without the love and support of my fans. They're the real MVPs.
You sure have a lot of fans. Must be nice to have that kind of support.
It is, but it's also a lot of pressure. Sometimes I feel like I have to live up to this perfect image that everyone has of me. It's a lot to handle, you know? But I guess that's just part of being in the public eye.
Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self?
Damn, yeah. I wish I could tell myself to enjoy the journey and not get too caught up in the end result.
laughs Sounds like a wise person you've become, Brittney.
Damn straight, B! I've learned a lot over the years. But let me tell you, it ain't always been easy. There have been ups and downs, twists and turns. But hey, that's what makes life interesting, right?
Life is interesting, alright. Would you mind sharing one of those twists with me?
Damn, alright. Let me take you back to when I was a teenager. I was at a basketball camp, and I was feeling on top of the world.
Well, during a one-on-one game, I was going head-to-head against this kid who was a monster on the court.
Monster, huh? How'd you handle him?
smirks Well, B, I'll let you in on a little secret. This kid, he was none other than myself! Yeah, you heard that right.