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12 Famous Athletes Who Smoke Weed

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2 months ago

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Key Takeaways

  • Athletes are leading cannabis normalization – With public endorsements from icons like Mike Tyson and Al Harrington, professional sports are becoming a powerful force for cannabis acceptance and moving cannabis out of “taboo” status and into athlete wellness conversations.
  • Recovery, not recreation, drives athlete use – Surveys of elite and retired athletes show that most cannabis use is linked to pain, inflammation, sleep, and anxiety management — not just adult-use recreation. 78% of surveyed athletes said they use cannabis primarily for pain management rather than recreation. This figure comes from self-reported surveys of current and retired athletes, not league-wide testing data.
  • Policy changes reflect athlete advocacy – In 2020, the NFL raised the THC threshold from 15 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL and ended suspensions for positive marijuana tests, showing the impact of player pressure. The NFL has since continued softening enforcement: players are typically fined instead of suspended, testing happens in a narrow preseason window, and the THC threshold for a “positive” test is now far higher than it used to be.
  • Cannabis offers safer pain management – For athletes managing chronic pain from injuries, cannabis provides an alternative to opioids, with studies of medical cannabis patients reporting an average of ~60% drop in opioid use after starting cannabis. That’s self-reported outcome data, not a controlled clinical trial, but it’s a major reason collision-sport athletes now frame cannabis as a harm-reduction tool.
  • Women athletes are breaking barriers – Female stars like Megan Rapinoe and Sha’Carri Richardson are changing the conversation around cannabis in women’s sports by linking it to recovery, mental health, and fair policy — not just “recreational weed.”
  • Business ventures extend influence – Former athletes are launching cannabis brands focused on sports recovery, creating legitimate pathways in the industry (for example: Al Harrington’s Viola, Ricky Williams’ Highsman/Real Wellness, Mike Tyson’s Tyson 2.0, and Rob Gronkowski’s CBD partnerships).
  • The Herb community connects fans to athlete-backed products – With 14 million passionate members, Herb provides the platform to discover strains and products featuring athlete brands and covers how leagues (NFL, NBA, etc.) are updating cannabis policy.
  • Educational resources support informed choices – Herb’s guides help consumers make decisions aligned with athlete recovery practices while clearly distinguishing between intoxicating THC products and non-intoxicating CBD recovery products.

Trailblazing Female Athletes

1. Megan Rapinoe: Soccer icon and cannabis advocate

World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe has been open about her cannabis use and partnered with Mendi, a CBD company focused on athlete recovery. Rapinoe specifically promotes hemp-derived CBD products (which are non-intoxicating) for pain relief, sleep, and inflammation — not just “smoking weed.” Beyond personal use, Rapinoe represents a shift in how female athletes engage with cannabis culture—framing it as part of wellness rather than rebellion. Her advocacy extends to supporting women-owned cannabis businesses and promoting gender equity in the industry. As a prominent voice in both sports and social justice, Rapinoe’s cannabis openness helps normalize plant medicine for female athletes who face additional stigma.

2. Sha’Carri Richardson: The sprinter who sparked a national conversation

Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021 but was given a 30-day suspension after testing positive for THC. She explained that she had used cannabis while grieving the death of her biological mother, forcing a national conversation about how the federal government punishes THC. Her suspension kept her out of the Tokyo Olympics and reignited debate about whether cannabis should really be treated like a performance-enhancing drug. THC is still banned “in-competition” under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, which is why sprinters can still lose eligibility over cannabis.

3. Ronda Rousey: UFC champion who challenged marijuana penalties

Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey publicly criticized harsh marijuana penalties in MMA, particularly the five-year suspension of Nick Diaz in 2015. Her vocal support for reform reflected a broader recognition among combat sports athletes of cannabis’s benefits for managing inflammation and promoting recovery. Rousey’s willingness to speak out against punitive policies helped shift the conversation in mixed martial arts toward more rational approaches to cannabis use. She publicly argued that cannabis punishments were harsher than penalties for substances with clearer performance-enhancing or addictive risks — and that made headlines beyond MMA.

NBA Legends and Cannabis Culture

4. Al Harrington: From NBA court to Viola Brands cannabis entrepreneur

Former NBA forward Al Harrington launched Viola Brands after witnessing his grandmother’s positive response to medical cannabis for glaucoma. His company focuses on premium cannabis products while championing social equity in the industry. Harrington represents a new generation of athlete entrepreneurs who leverage their platform to build legitimate cannabis businesses. With 85% of NBA players reportedly using marijuana during their careers — a figure Harrington has described based on his experience in the league, not an official NBA study — his success shows how widespread cannabis really is in pro basketball.

5. Kevin Durant: Public advocate for cannabis reform

NBA superstar Kevin Durant has partnered with Weedmaps to help destigmatize cannabis in sports. His public support for cannabis reform reflects the evolving attitudes among elite athletes who recognize its therapeutic potential. Durant’s advocacy helps normalize cannabis among current players while contributing to broader policy discussions. Durant has said he’s directly talked to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver about softening marijuana rules, and in 2023, the NBA removed marijuana from its standard testing program and now treats it more like alcohol unless there’s a conduct/safety issue. As cannabis policies continue evolving, Durant’s leadership encourages more active players to support reform initiatives.

6. Cliff Robinson: NBA veteran and Uncle Cliffy cannabis pioneer

NBA veteran Cliff Robinson became one of basketball’s most vocal cannabis advocates, publicly calling for reform and launching Uncle Cliffy, a cannabis brand focused on athlete wellness. Robinson’s early post-retirement cannabis work (including his “Uncle Spliffy” line) was especially influential because he was an 18-year NBA veteran and Sixth Man of the Year — he had credibility with players and fans. Robinson’s advocacy was particularly significant given his 18-year NBA career and respected status in the basketball community. His willingness to build a cannabis business helped legitimize athlete involvement in the industry and paved the way for other players to follow. Robinson’s legacy continues to influence how athletes engage with cannabis entrepreneurship.

NFL Icons and Recovery Advocacy

7. Ricky Williams: The Heisman winner who chose cannabis over conventional medicine

Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams faced multiple suspensions for cannabis use during his NFL career, ultimately choosing to prioritize his health over league compliance. Williams has been candid about using cannabis to manage pain and anxiety, describing it as essential to his well-being. His willingness to sacrifice his career for personal health principles paved the way for current athletes to demand better pain management options. Now retired, Williams advocates for cannabis as a legitimate therapeutic tool and has launched wellness initiatives incorporating plant medicine. He later co-founded cannabis and herbal wellness brands (including Real Wellness and Highsman) positioned around mood, recovery, and mental health.

8. Rob Gronkowski: From NFL stardom to CBD partnership

After retiring from the NFL, tight end Rob Gronkowski partnered with CBDMedic to promote recovery products specifically designed for athletes. His high-profile endorsement brought mainstream attention to cannabis-derived products as legitimate recovery tools. Gronkowski’s transition from athlete to cannabis advocate reflects the growing acceptance of plant-based recovery methods in professional sports. His CBD line focuses on post-athletic wellness, addressing the chronic pain many retired players face without resorting to dangerous opioids. Gronkowski’s advocacy is focused on hemp-derived CBD — non-intoxicating formulations for pain and sleep — rather than high-THC marijuana products.

9. Eugene Monroe: Crusading for medical cannabis research

Former NFL offensive tackle Eugene Monroe became one of the league’s most vocal cannabis advocates, publicly calling for research into cannabis as an alternative to opioids for pain management. Monroe’s advocacy was particularly significant given the NFL’s historically strict cannabis policies. He emphasized the potential neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids for athletes exposed to repetitive head trauma, highlighting cannabis as a potential tool for addressing player health. Monroe’s leadership helped push conversations about cannabis research in professional football. He was one of the first active NFL players to demand that the league fund real medical cannabis studies, not just punish use.

Olympic Champions and International Stars

10. Michael Phelps: The bong photo that changed everything

When a photo of Michael Phelps smoking from a bong surfaced in 2009, it shocked the world and threatened his endorsements. However, the incident also highlighted the disconnect between the athlete’s reality and public expectations. Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 28 total medals, including 23 golds, later addressed the incident as a learning experience while maintaining that cannabis use shouldn’t define an athlete’s legacy. His case demonstrated how public perception has evolved—what once seemed scandalous is now increasingly understood as normal adult behavior. Importantly, Phelps was not suspended for failing an Olympic drug test for cannabis; the fallout was about image and sponsorships.

11. Ross Rebagliati: The snowboarder who kept his gold medal

At the 1998 Nagano Olympics, Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati initially lost his gold medal after testing positive for THC metabolites — then had it reinstated when officials determined cannabis wasn’t technically on the banned list at the time. His case pushed Olympic authorities to explicitly add cannabis to the prohibited substances list going forward, sometimes called the “Rebagliati Rule.” Rebagliati later launched a cannabis brand, using his story to argue that adult cannabis use shouldn’t erase athletic achievement.

Combat Sports and Cannabis Integration

12. Mike Tyson: From heavyweight champion to cannabis mogul

Mike Tyson has transformed his post-boxing career into a cannabis empire with Tyson 2.0, offering premium flower, edibles, and cannabis experiences. His journey from controversial heavyweight champion to respected cannabis entrepreneur demonstrates the legitimization of athlete cannabis involvement. Tyson’s brand emphasizes quality and authenticity, appealing to both cannabis connoisseurs and sports fans. His success shows how athletes can leverage their platform to build credible cannabis businesses that extend their influence beyond their competitive years.

Cannabis for Athletic Recovery: What Athletes Choose

Athletes increasingly turn to cannabis for recovery, with many gravitating toward specific strains and products based on their needs. Indica-dominant strains are popular for nighttime recovery and sleep support, helping athletes manage pain and promote restorative sleep. For managing inflammation during training periods, athletes often prefer CBD-dominant varieties that don’t produce psychoactive effects, allowing for consistent use without cognitive impairment. Athletes also consider terpene profiles when selecting cannabis products, recognizing that compounds like myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene contribute to specific therapeutic effects. Herb’s strain guides provide detailed information on varieties that athletes commonly select for pain relief and recovery support.

The Future of Cannabis in Sports

Major sports leagues continue reforming their cannabis policies, with institutional resistance eroding as more athletes speak openly about their use. The focus is shifting from prohibition to education and responsible use guidelines. Former athletes are increasingly launching cannabis brands specifically designed for sports recovery, driving innovation in product formulation and delivery methods. These athlete-founded companies bring authentic experience to product development, creating solutions that genuinely address athletic recovery needs while advancing cannabis acceptance in mainstream sports culture.

  • NFL: The league no longer automatically suspends players for marijuana positives and dramatically increased the THC threshold that triggers a “positive” test. Testing is now limited mostly to a short preseason window, and discipline tends to be fines, not lost games.
  • NBA: The NBA’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement removed marijuana from routine drug testing; cannabis is treated more like alcohol unless it causes conduct issues.

Olympic/WADA level: THC is still banned “in-competition,” which is why sprinters and other Olympic athletes can still be disqualified for cannabis close to an event.

Joining the Herb Community Conversation

Herb’s bi-weekly newsletter delivers the latest athlete stories, top strains, and product deals directly to your inbox. As the #1 cannabis community for Millennials and Gen Z with 14 million passionate members, Herb provides ongoing coverage of athlete cannabis involvement and policy developments. Browse cannabis products and dispensaries to discover athlete-backed brands and recovery solutions aligned with professional athlete experiences.

Herb doesn’t just cover celebrity weed stories — it tracks league policy shifts, recovery trends (CBD vs THC), and how athletes are building post-career wellness businesses around plant medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which famous female athletes openly support cannabis or cannabis reform?

Several prominent female athletes have spoken openly about cannabis use, including soccer star Megan Rapinoe, Olympic sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, and former UFC champion Ronda Rousey. These athletes have helped normalize cannabis use in women’s sports and advocate for policy reforms that recognize therapeutic use.

Rapinoe is publicly associated with CBD recovery products (non-intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids), not necessarily smoking THC. Richardson openly acknowledged cannabis use and was suspended for THC. Rousey has publicly defended fighters punished for cannabis and called the penalties “ridiculous,” even if she didn’t personally test positive.

Do any Olympic athletes use cannabis?

Yes, several Olympic athletes have been open about cannabis use, including swimmer Michael Phelps and snowboarder Ross Rebagliati. While WADA maintains cannabis on its prohibited list during competition periods, many Olympic athletes use cannabis during off-season periods for recovery and wellness purposes.

Phelps’ situation was a leaked 2009 bong photo, not an in-competition THC test failure. Rebagliati actually lost — and then regained — his 1998 Olympic gold after a THC test because cannabis technically wasn’t banned yet.

What NBA players are known for smoking weed?

Numerous NBA players have been associated with cannabis use, including players like Cliff Robinson, Al Harrington, and Matt Barnes. According to former NBA player Al Harrington, about 85% of NBA players use marijuana during their careers, making cannabis a consistent part of basketball culture.

Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson literally built a media brand (“All The Smoke”) around candid conversations about cannabis, pain, mental health, and league politics — which helps normalize the topic.

Why do athletes use cannabis for recovery?

Athletes primarily use cannabis for pain management, inflammation reduction, improved sleep quality, and anxiety reduction. Research indicates that 78% of athletes report using cannabis for pain management rather than recreational purposes, often as a safer alternative to opioids that carries fewer serious side effects and addiction risks.

Surveys of chronic pain patients and retired contact-sport athletes also show self-reported drops in opioid use (often cited around 60%+ reduction) after adding medical cannabis, but this is based on self-report, not a randomized clinical trial. That’s why many NFL and UFC voices call cannabis “harm reduction,” not “performance enhancement.”

Are there cannabis products made by athletes?

Yes, many former athletes have launched cannabis brands, including Al Harrington’s Viola Brands, Mike Tyson’s Tyson 2.0, and Rob Gronkowski’s CBD line. These athlete-founded companies focus on premium products designed specifically for sports recovery and wellness, creating legitimate business opportunities while advancing cannabis acceptance in mainstream sports culture.

Be specific: Gronkowski’s work is with CBD/hemp recovery products (non-intoxicating); Tyson 2.0 and Viola sell THC cannabis products; Ricky Williams’ Highsman/Real Wellness brands position cannabis and botanicals as part of mood, focus, and physical recovery.

Is cannabis legal for professional athletes?

As of 2025, cannabis policies vary significantly across sports leagues. The NFL ended suspensions for positive marijuana tests in 2020. The NBA removed marijuana from its testing program in the 2023 CBA. While some leagues still maintain restrictions, the overall trend is toward decriminalization and recognition of therapeutic use, particularly during off-season periods.

In Olympic/track settings governed by WADA, THC is still banned “in-competition,” which is why Sha’Carri Richardson’s positive test led to disqualification. In the NFL, players can still technically be fined but are rarely suspended. In the NBA, marijuana is now treated more like alcohol unless there’s a behavioral/safety problem.



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Wisconsin Badgers volleyball transfer portal tracker 2025-26

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3 hours ago

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December 24, 2025

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The University of Wisconsin volleyball program saw significant transfer portal action as soon as the Badgers’ season ended.

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Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.



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Aggie volleyball adds a pair of Midwest transfers

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3 hours ago

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December 24, 2025

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Just two days after winning a national championship, Jamie Morrison and Aggie volleyball announced the signing of two Division One transfers.

Texas A&M added graduate transfer and All-American Natalie Ring from Marquette and Ohio State’s Kaia Castle.

Volleyball is one of six revenue-sharing sports at Texas A&M, and following the national title match, Morrison acknowledged the university’s financial commitment to recruiting.

“Our administration’s really stepped up and said, hey, we really want you to be competitive on the national landscape. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that,” Morrison said.

Ring led the Golden Eagles to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and landed on the All-America third team. She was also named a unanimous All-Big East selection. She had a career-high 29 kills in a close loss to No. 2 Louisville in the NCAA Tournament.

The Madison, Wisconsin native ranked No. 16 in the nation with 4.60 kills per set.

“We are excited to add Natalie to our Aggie family here in Aggieland,” Morrison said. “She brings a wealth of experience as a well-rounded outside hitter and is a relentless competitor who consistently raised her level against the best competition. The 12th Man is going to love her fire, spirit and the way she plays the game.”

Castle is a redshirt sophomore and averaged 1.94 kills per set as a middle blocker.

“We value speed at the middle blocker position and it’s rare to see someone with Kaia’s length who can move the way she does,” Morrison said. “Beyond the physical tools, she is an incredible human. I truly enjoyed every part of the recruiting process with Kaia and can’t wait to have her here in Aggieland.”

Castle recorded 91 blocks this year for the Buckeyes and broke the program’s single-match block record with 15 against Troy.

The Aggies were quick to get to work on building for next season and remaining at the top of the college volleyball landscape.

“We’re going to sit down, and we’re going to enjoy this as much as we possibly can,” Morrison said. “And then we’re going to get to work and go do it again.”

Copyright 2025 KBTX. All rights reserved.



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17 LOHS athletes sign letters of intent to play sports in college

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3 hours ago

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December 24, 2025

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Seventeen Lake Orion High School student-athletes signed national letters of intent on Dec. 17 to their sports careers at the collegiate level. Photo by Joseph Goral

Seventeen Lake Orion High School student-athletes signed national letters of intent on Dec. 17 to their sports careers at the collegiate level. Photo by Joseph Goral

ORION TWP. — Seventeen senior athletes signed letters of intent at Lake Orion High School on Dec. 17 to play sports at the collegiate level.

The athletes represent eight sports – swimming, lacrosse, soccer, football, baseball, cross country, dance and track and field.

“Congratulations to all of you on joining a small group of high school athletes around the country that get the opportunity to pursue their athletic careers while pursuing their educa­tion,” LOHS Athletic Director Chris Bell said.

Several coaches joined Bell to in­troduce the athletes honored last week

Swimming

Briana Hernandez will swim for Wayne State University where she plans to study biochemistry or chemi­cal biology. Hernandez scored a team-leading 218 points this season, finished first 11 times, was a key member of LOHS’s state team, and is fourth all time in school history for the 50-meter freestyle event.

Samantha O’Kronley (left) and Leo Cassell sign letters of intent on Dec. 17 to play college sports. Photos by Joseph Goral

Samantha O’Kronley (left) and Leo Cassell sign letters of intent on Dec. 17 to play college sports. Photos by Joseph Goral

Maddox LaMothe will continue his swimming career at St. Olaf College in Minnesota and study music education. LaMoth will be a sprint freestyle and breast stroke specialist at St. Olaf Col­lege. He has scored 149 points, finished first 12 times and is a league champion in the 100-meter breast stroke event at LOHS.

Lacrosse

JC McClung will play lacrosse at Saginaw Valley State University. McClung has been a varsity starter at Lake Orion since her sophomore year, scored 27 points during her junior year, and will be a captain during her senior season.

Brielle Coventry will play la­crosse at Lewis University in Illinois where she will study aviation admin­istration. Coventry has also been a varsity player since her sophomore year, has scored 75 goals, and was named to the all-state third team in 2025 and to the all-OAA Red team.

Curtis Meech will continue his lacrosse career at Lake Erie College, and began playing lacrosse for Lake Orion Community schools 10 years ago. Head lacrosse coach Chris Wood said Meech is a vocal leader and a reliable, lead-by-example defender.

Maddox LaMothe (left) and Brooke Armstrong sign letters of intent to play college sports.

Maddox LaMothe (left) and Brooke Armstrong sign letters of intent to play college sports.

Quentin Rohlfing will play la­crosse for Kalamazoo College. In his three years playing LOHS lacrosse, Wood said Rohlfing es­tablished himself as a relentless competitor, a quick learner in the mid-field, and said Rohlfing is a hard-working individual.

Soccer

Brooke Armstrong will play soccer at Michigan Technological University where she will study biochemistry. Armstrong earned district and league honors during the spring and is a fierce competitor that LOHS is thankful to have on their team, head varsity coach Amanda Hutchinson said.

Lilly Brodoski will play soccer for Calvin University where she will study politics, philosophy and eco­nomics. She has been on LOHS’s soccer team since her freshman year, earned league honors her sopho­more and junior years, along with the OAA Sportsmanship Award, and is a versatile player who can contribute in many positions on the field, Hutchinson said.

Seniors JC McClung (left) and Brielle Coventry are introduced on Dec. 17.

Seniors JC McClung (left) and Brielle Coventry are introduced on Dec. 17.

Football

Leo Cassell will play football at Alma College and study biology. A defensive and offensive lineman, Bell called Cassell a smart player who knows the game, and said he works hard, is unselfish, and was willing to play what­ever role his team needed.

Brody Thompson will play football for Northwood University where he will pursue a business degree. Thompson predominantly played quarterback for the Dragons, is a threat running and throwing the football and won a leader­ship award last season, Bell said.

Alex Hensley will also play football at Northwood University. A starting in­side linebacker, Bell described Hensley as an old-fashioned, Orion-tough physi­cal football player. Hensley was also a captain last season, led the Dragons in tackles for the last two seasons and was selected to the all-league team and all-region first team this season.

Quentin Rohlfing (right) and Curtis Meech are introduced by boys varsity lacrosse head coach Chris Wood before a crowd at Lake Orion High School on Dec. 17.

Quentin Rohlfing (right) and Curtis Meech are introduced by boys varsity lacrosse head coach Chris Wood before a crowd at Lake Orion High School on Dec. 17.

Ryan Rocheleau will play football for Western Michigan University. Bell called Rocheleau the best tight end in Lake Orion History. Rocheleau caught 30 passes for more than 500 yards and five touchdowns, was selected to the all-league first team and all-region first team and was a team captain.

Baseball

Ozzie Schons will play baseball at Alpena Community College where he will study mathematics. Head varsity baseball coach Andy Schramek said Schons chose Alpena Community Col­lege for its culture.

Riley Bendle will play baseball at Kellogg Community College and pursue a career as a doctor. Schramek said Kellogg Community College will give Bendle the chance to develop as a player for two years before transferring to a university.

Dance

Samantha O’Kronley will dance at Alma College where she plans to study sports medicine. O’Kronley has been in Lake Orion’s dance program since seventh grade, and was described as always dependable and hardworking by a teammate.

Lilly Brodoski signs a letter of intent to play soccer for Calvin University.

Lilly Brodoski signs a letter of intent to play soccer for Calvin University.

Cross country and track and field

Max Houvener will be running cross country and competing in track and field at Oakland University. Hou­vener qualified for the state finals in the 3,200-meter relay his freshman year, and finished no lower than 10th in any race over the last two years, except for at the state finals, varsity coach Andrew McDonald said.

Mikaela Redman will be compet­ing in track and field at Northwood University. McDonald called Redman a very versatile athlete, and a leader in the school’s track-and-field program for the last four years.

Mikaela Redman signs a letter of intent on Dec. 17 to compete in track and field at Northwood University.

Mikaela Redman signs a letter of intent on Dec. 17 to compete in track and field at Northwood University.



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USU Volleyball head coach Rob Neilson hired by BYU | Sports

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December 24, 2025

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Utah State women’s volleyball head coach Rob Neilson has been hired by BYU, ending his six-year tenure with the Aggies. BYU announced the hiring on social media Tuesday afternoon.

Neilson is an alum of BYU, having played for the Cougars’ men’s volleyball team from 2003-06 as a setter. He also spent 10 years as an assistant coach for the men’s team at BYU, even serving as its interim coach in 2011.

Utah State hired Neilson in 2020, following a 2019 season where the Aggies had gone a program-worst 2-28. USU went 5-10 in Neilson’s first season but then went on to win Mountain West titles in three straight seasons from 2021-24.

This season the Aggies not only won both the Mountain West regular season and conference tournament titles, they went undefeated in conference play and in the conference tournament, capping off what was ultimately a 22-game winning streak with a first-round upset victory in the NCAA Tournament against Tennessee.

Neilson ends his tenure at Utah State with an overall record of 112-59, winning three regular season Mountain West championships, two conference tournaments and winning MW Coach of the Year three times. He also took USU to four NCAA Tournaments with a record of 1-3 in those games.

In a statement, Utah State Director of Athletics Cam Walker expressed thanks to Neilson for his tenure.

“I am grateful for Rob’s leadership of our volleyball program, including multiple conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances,” Walker said. “The profile of Utah State volleyball has been elevated and we expect that standard to continue under new leadership. We will be efficient and aggressive in our pursuit of the next leader of Utah State volleyball and will begin an immediate national search.”



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Florida Volleyball Signs Setter Bri Denney

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December 24, 2025

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida volleyball announced the addition of setter Bri Denney to the Gators’ 2026 roster.

After earning her BBA in business management from Baylor, Denney will join the program as a graduate transfer in spring 2026 and pursue her master’s in business entrepreneurship.

“In our search for a setter, Bri jumped off the page as the perfect fit for us,” said Florida Head Coach Ryan Theis. “She is a great teammate, great student with starting and coming off the bench experience in high level power 4 volleyball.  We are excited to get her in the gym in January.”

“I chose the University of Florida because of the program’s history of national success, outstanding facilities and resources and the opportunity to compete in the SEC,” Denney said. “The coaching staff is exceptional and I’m excited to continue to grow as a student athlete and a person under their leadership. Campus is beautiful and I have the opportunity to be near my brother. It truly felt like the perfect fit. Grateful for this next chapter, go Gators!”

Denney is the fifth newcomer to join the Gators for the 2026 campaign. Florida previously signed incoming freshman opposite/outside hitter Nadi’ya Shelby and announced the addition of three transfers last week: outside hitter Kamryn “Kami” Chaney, middle blocker Brianna “Bri” Holladay and outside hitter Selena Leban.

 

Bri Denney

  • Position: Setter

  • Class: Graduate Student

  • Height: 6-0

  • Hometown: San Marcos, California

  • Previous Teams: Baylor

  • High School: Santa Fe Christian School

At Baylor
Honors:

  • 2023 Academic All-Big 12 First Team

2025 (Redshirt Junior): Played 50 sets across 15 matches with five starts … Opened the season with a career-high 31 assists in a 3-1 win over South Alabama (8/29) … Followed up with 29 assists in a 5-set win over No. 10 SMU (8/30) … Tallied 20 assists win a 3-1 road win at LSU (8/31) … Returned from injury to distribute 15 assists at No. 8 Arizona State (10/8) … Had 16 assists against No. 12 Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Traveled with the Bears and played in the Foreign Tour matches in Austria, Hungary, Italy and Slovenia in June 2024 … Came into the match against No. 22 TCU to set (10/6).
 
2023 (Sophomore): Saw action in three matches on the season … Played in two sets against No. 7 Minnesota in the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge … Played against No. 19 Ohio State … Saw action in one set against Stephen F. Austin … Did not see action for the rest of the season due to injury, redshirted.
 
2022 (Freshman): Her first season with the Bears … Dealt with injury for the first part of the season … Saw action in three sets across two matches.
 
High School: Bri grew up in San Diego, CA where she played volleyball since the age of 10 at Southern California’s top two clubs; Wave and Coast. She played on their 1s teams every year with the exception of 11s & 14s, when she played on the 2s. Her teams always played in the highest divisions at the USA National Championships, placing 1st in the National division on her 13-1s team and 5th in the Open division on her 15-1s team. Bri has been trained by top club coaches and was privileged to train closely in her high school years with Fiapo Guilherme Tenius, (7x Olympic medalist coach for Brazil, US & Canada). She graduated from Santa Fe Christian School in 2022. In high school, she was First Team All-League, won second place in Division I, named Varsity Invitational Classic All-Tournament Team, and was Team Captain… In 2019 she and her team finished third in the Coastal League and second in DI postseason;  in 2021, they finished second in the league and sixth in DI Postseason … Bri was named National Honors Society, Principal’s Honor Roll, California Scholarship Federation Gold Seal Bearer and an Academic Letterwinner. In addition, she was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes while dedicating a lot of her time to volunteering.
 
Personal: First name is Brianna but goes by “Bri” … Daughter of Monica and Robb Denney … Father, Robb, played rugby at the national level for the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) on their Super League Team. She has one older brother, Colin, who played baseball at Biola University his freshman year, as a catcher, then graduated from Liberty University after transferring and is now an Investment Advisor in Tampa, FL.
 
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910Preps Fayetteville’s high school volleyball all-stars 2025

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10 hours ago

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December 24, 2025

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Dec. 23, 2025, 4:03 a.m. ET

Gray’s Creek’s Taylor Baggett’s senior season was one for the record books.

The Bears’ outside hitter and defensive specialist capped her high school career with a dominant final season that helped Gray’s Creek get to put together a ground-breaking year as the first high school volleyball team in school and county history to make it to an NCHSAA Final Four.



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