Hailed by ESPN as the world’s most famous female basketball player, Brittney Griner, the dunking phenom and national sensation who is shattering stereotypes and breaking boundaries, now shares her coming-of-age story, revealing how she found her strength to overcome bullies and to embrace her authentic self.
Brittney Griner, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, is a once-in-a-generation player, possessing a combination of size and athleticism never before seen in the women’s game. But “the sport’s most transformative figure” (Sports Illustrated) is equally famous for making headlines off the court, for speaking out on issues of gender, sexuality, body image and self-esteem.
At 6’8”, with an 88-inch wingspan and a size 17 shoe (men’s), the Phoenix Mercury star has heard every vicious insult in the book, enduring years of taunting that began in middle school and continues to this day. Through the highs and lows, Griner has learned to remain true to herself, rising above the haters trying to take her down.
In her heartfelt memoir, she reflects on painful episodes in her life and describes how she came to celebrate what makes her unique—inspiring lessons she now shares. Filled with all the humor and personality Griner has become known for, In My Skin is more than a glimpse into one of the most original personalities in sports; it’s also a powerful call to readers to be true to themselves, to love who they are on the inside and out.
With a eight pages of photos.
The Sexy Nerd's Review. . .
Anyone who knows me can tell you how much I enjoy reading memoirs or biographies. I am always intrigued by what made a person become who they are and what adversities did they have to overcome. I’ve been eyeing this book by Brittney Griner for a while and I felt now was the time to read about her.
She had me hooked from the very first paragraph. Her head space back in 2013 is where my head space is right now, and the more I read the more I realized how much she and I have in common. In fact, her words mirrored my own so much so I Googled her to see when her birthday was because there wasn’t any way a woman I have never met could feel like we’re one in the same person. How eerie is that?! Welp, we are kindred spirits because our birthdays are a day apart. Of course, I’m much older than Brittney, but she and I could have a conversation and anyone witnessing would swear we’ve known each other all of our lives. Wow!
Brittney is a people pleaser to a fault, as am I. She’s a gentle giant. She stands at 6’8” towering over her opponents. No wonder why she took to basketball the way she had. She’s pretty domineering and true to her sport. Whatever she wants, she goes after it and gives it her all. She wants to do well for herself, but also those around her, like her parents, siblings, friends and especially her teammates and coach. Brittney isn’t one to bite her tongue and she can be brutally honest and it’s with that vigor which can sometimes be misconstrued by others. I can totally relate to this because it happens to me all too often. Some people cannot handle a person who is that direct. And when it comes to Brittney’s sexuality, she is very vocal and unapologetic and I was so here for it too!
She often butted heads with the administration at Baylor for speaking about the LGBT community and her views on being gay. It took a long time for Brittney to truly come out and face the world with how she felt about herself. Even though she came to terms with it, just like with most things, others had a problem dealing with it. Well, that’s just too damn bad, right?! Right! She loves who she loves and she feels how she feels and that shouldn’t have any bearing on how she played on the basketball court. But all too often she was judged not on her actions on the court, but what she did off of it. How unfair was that?!
She talks about growing up in Texas with her siblings and her strong connection to her parents, especially her father. She’s a daddy’s girl for real and it truly hurt to read her words when she finally came out to her dad about her sexuality. When I tell you he did not handle that well is an understatement. I kept wishing he’d come around and see things her way and to know she hadn’t changed. She was still his baby girl. But her father was not here for it. I was glad to know they patched things up as her career blossomed, but it was truly slow going at first.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed getting to know Brittney Griner. Of course, with her recent bout of having been detained in Russia came many years later after the writing of this story. I can’t wait to see how she’s grown and where her mind set was then as compared to now. Brittney was a force to be reckoned with on the court. The girl has mad skills and doesn’t show any sign of stopping anytime soon.
The Sexy Nerd gives In My Skin four extra free throws just for the hell of it. If you’ve been curious about who Brittney Griner is, I certainly encourage you to read this book first before you read her accounts about the Russia detainment. As always, Nerds, you know how we do. Until next time. . .
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