Brittney Griner Makes History with First Dunk in Unrivaled Basketball League

Brittney Griner has etched her name in the history books once again, becoming the first player to dunk in the Unrivaled basketball league.

The momentous feat occurred on March 3 during a game against the Lunar Owls, with WNBA legend Lisa Leslie—who recorded the first dunk in WNBA history—watching from the stands.

Despite Griner’s impressive play, her team, Phantom BC, fell to the Lunar Owls 92-79. However, the focus remained on her groundbreaking dunk, marking a milestone in the young league’s history.

Brittney Griner, standing at 6 feet 9 inches, delivered a strong performance, finishing with 19 points and seven rebounds. She holds the WNBA record for most dunks, tied at two with fellow star Candace Parker.

Leslie was the first to dunk in a WNBA game on July 30, 2002, while Awak Kuier has also recorded a dunk during league play. Brittney Griner initially set herself apart on May 27, 2013, when she became the first WNBA player to dunk twice in a single game.

Leslie acknowledged the significance of Griner’s dunk after the game, drawing parallels to her own historic moment.

“The dunk was outstanding, and it’s historic,” Leslie said. “And obviously, I know what it’s like to have a historic dunk, but not the ending you want. The night I dunked, we lost that game, too.

So, I know what you mean about remembering that, but just talk about that—it is a historic moment for you to be the first to dunk in Unrivaled. It was awesome.”

Reflecting on the achievement, Griner expressed appreciation for the moment, especially with Leslie in attendance.

“When I sit down and think about it, you know it definitely is,” Griner said. “I’ll be able to hold that—got to do it with you here as well—so, I mean that was pretty cool, too, honestly, when I take the time to think about it.”

Griner, who recently signed with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, is set to begin her 13th WNBA season this summer. The former Baylor standout remains one of the league’s most dominant players, continuing to leave an indelible mark on the game.