Brittney GrinerHer loved ones and the extended basketball family were ecstatic when news broke Thursday that she had been released from A.J Russian in prison and she was on her way back to the United States.
It’s been almost 300 days since WNBA The star was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February, when customs officials said they found vape cans with cannabis oil in her luggage. She was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison August. Now four months later, she’s back home after the US and Russia conducted a high-profile prisoner exchange Thursday. The exchange did not include the return of another American. Paul Whelanwho has been imprisoned for nearly four years.
Britney’s wife said, “Today, my family is complete but as you all know there are many other families who are not complete”, Cheryl Greener, at a White House briefing. “BG and I will remain committed to working towards getting every American home, including peewhose family lives on in our hearts today as we celebrate BG’s homecoming.”
Griner, who turned 32 in October, was right back there Russia in February to play with its overseas team UMKC Yekaterinburg. She went to Russia to supplement her salary from the WNBA, and earned over $1 million to play in Russia.
“There wasn’t a day over the past 10 months that we didn’t all have Brittney Griner on our minds and hearts, and that has now turned into a collective wave of joy and relief knowing that she will soon be reunited,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who admitted she was very emotional when she Her family and the WNBA player community and friends heard the news this morning.” “BG has shown extraordinary courage and dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity.”
While it is now unclear if Griner wants to play basketball again, she will be welcomed back with open arms by both the WNBA and USA. Basketball. The WNBA season begins May 19th. Engelbert said she would give Griner and her family some space and time before any discussion of her return to the league.
“It’s been a long, horrific ordeal and we really look forward to her coming back and hearing her voice,” Engelbert said.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley He was a leading advocate for Griner’s return. Staley, who coached Grenier on the 2020 Olympic team, feels that playing again could be beneficial for the dominant position.
“It was a place where we could block out everything else, and join our teammates. Hear the amazing crowds supporting our game. There’s so much love the basketball community has for Britney that they want to show her,” Staley said. “We want her back to her happy place. So I hope Britney pecks her up. But if she doesn’t, I would really understand why. We still support her. We still lift her up.”
Staley said she burst into tears of joy when she heard the news Thursday morning. Like Staley, WNBA players have done their best to keep Griner’s name in the national spotlight over the past eight months by talking about her in interviews and posting on social media.
On Thursday, they flooded social media with their joy.
“My heart is singing with joy right now. Our sister is finally free,” said NBA player Cheney Ojumek. “This is a historic moment for everyone who has shown compassion for our sister WNBA in the past 294 days since BG was unjustly arrested.”
Griner is under contract Phoenix Mercurywhom the league allowed to pay her full salary of nearly $228,000 last season without counting their salary cap.
The team was thrilled to have the eight-time All-Star come home.
“With a miracle and mercy, the number of days of detention has ended at 294, and our friend, our sister, is returning to her home where she belongs,” Mercury he said in a statement. “The feelings for our organization, just like the fans and so many around the world, are those of happy celebrations, deep gratitude, sadness for lost time, and sincere hope for all the families still waiting for a loved one to return. Their strength is in the process, and their unwavering belief that resolution will come.” And the hope that you displayed each day is what made us all believe that this day would come.”
Griner’s agent, Lindsay Colas, vowed that “BG and our coalition of active athletes” will lend their voice to help free other Americans held abroad, including Whelan.
Throughout this ordeal, BG she bore herself with courage, grace, and determination; President Biden made us a promise, then kept his word and did what was necessary to bring her home.” Colas he said in a statement. “We are eternally grateful for his follow through on this commitment.”
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