Black queer women are fundamentally reshaping basketball, both on the court and across the culture surrounding the game. Playing at the highest level while living openly, these three athletes defined 2026.
Brittney Griner continues to build one of the most remarkable late-career runs in league history. Entering her 13th WNBA season, the 6-foot-9 center signed a one-year deal with the Connecticut Sun, her third franchise following eleven years in Phoenix and a 2025 stint with Atlanta. Her accolade-riddled resume includes ten All-Star nods, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, two Olympic gold medals, and a league-record 27 dunks. Open about her identity since early in her career, Griner remains one of the game’s defining figures as she takes on a new chapter in Connecticut.
Olivia Miles lived up to the hype and then some. Selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2026 WNBA Draft, the former TCU star was unanimously named Rookie of the Year after starting all 40 games. She averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds, breaking Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring record with 790 points and earning a spot as the only rookie All-Star starter. Off the court, Miles brings a refreshing candor to her visibility, openly discussing her relationship with former teammate Maddy Westbeld and declaring she was "rooting for the lesbians" in an interview with Them.
Courtney Williams converted off-court authenticity into dynamic influence. After signing a two-year max deal with Minnesota, the veteran guard delivered on the floor, highlighted by a 27-point performance against Indiana. Outside the arena, Williams and Natisha Hiedeman launched StudBudz, a Twitch channel that drew over 90,000 followers through multi-day livestreams and honest conversations. By embracing the term "stud" (referencing Black, masculine-presenting queer women), Williams has built a direct connection with fans that extends well past standard sports media.
Griner, Miles, and Williams demonstrate that Black queer women aren’t just participating in the modern era of basketball. They are actively steering it.
Sources
- https://www.espn.ph/wnba/story/_/id/48453207/brittney-griner-finalizing-seven-figure-deal-join-sun-sources-say
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2026/09/28/olivia-miles-wnba-rookie-star-minnesota-lynx-rookie-of-the-year/91962595007/
- https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wnba/news/studbudz-courtney-williams-natisha-hiedeman-wnba-all-star/85ca90d34b56f65dad83da70
- https://www.outsports.com/2025/7/18/24115369/wnba-all-star-game-gay-players-lesbian-indiana-2025/
