Author: Kari Jackson

During the third week of the Olympics, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of basketball players from the LGBTQ+ community. Their dedication to the sport and their visibility continue to pave the way for future generations.

Image by Chelsea Gray

Chelsea Gray is a 31-year-old Olympic basketball player who plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. She has had an impressive career, and this year marks her second time in the Olympics, with her first being in Tokyo in 2020. Although she plays for the Aces, she has also played on teams in Spain, Israel, and Turkey. She is a well-decorated athlete and has won many awards, the most impressive being the Olympic gold medal. She helped bring the U.S. team to victory and bring home the gold. She has also won WNBA titles for the Los Angeles Sparks and the Las Vegas Aces. She is married to her wife, Tipesa Mercedes Moorer, and is bringing pride to the LGBTQ+ community in Paris.

Image by Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner is 33 years old, and she plays for the Phoenix Mercury. She has been in the game for a while and has the accomplishments to back it up. She has played for the Mercury for ten seasons and has continued to crush the game. She was the first overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Mercury, and she has proven her worth. The Paris Olympic games will be her third time in the Olympics. She has brought pride to the U.S. as she has brought home gold medals in each of the past Olympics. The U.S. women’s Olympic team is extremely talented, as they have had seven consecutive Olympic gold medals. She is supported back home by her wife, friends, and family.

Image by Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart is amazing to watch and a very talented basketball player. She plays for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. She has been playing basketball since she was seven years old and has loved it ever since. She played with the Seattle Storm for six seasons; in 2016, she was the number-one pick for the WNBA. This past season was her first season with the New York Liberty, and she crushed it. She has had multiple shoe endorsements, but the most recent is with Stewie 3, which came out this year. Not only is Stewart a talented athlete, but she stands up against inequality. She was a part of the rally against anti-immigration laws, she supports Black Lives Matter, gender equality, and the LGBTQ+ community. She is a visible ally and uses her position within the media for good.

Image by Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi plays for the Phoenix Mercury and has been playing since 2004. She is the most decorated out of this list in terms of Olympic gold medals. She has brought home five gold medals, which ties her with Sue Bird and Teresa Edwards for most basketball Olympic medals. She is a member of the World Basketball Hall of Fame and has brought home many awards in her day. Not only has she brought home Olympic medals, but she has also brought home World Cup medals as well. She has three gold and one bronze for World Cup competitions. She won an ESPY in 2010, 2011, and 2012 for the best WNBA player. She also became the first WNBA player to score 9000 points in a career. Throughout her amazing career, she has brought pride to the LGBTQ+ community by dominating on the court.

Pride at the Olympics: Basketball Players