Brittney Griner Says She Won’t Play Overseas Again After Being Jailed in Russia

Griner stated during the press conference on Thursday in Phoenix, where she serves as the center for the WNBA’s Mercury, “That will be the sole occasion I’ll depart from American territory, and it’s solely to portray the United States.”

She will be playing again for Mercury this season, starting in May. However, she ended up being sentenced to spend nine years in a Russian prison and convicted after the Biden administration was able to arrange her release through a prisoner swap in December. Just when she arrived in Russia to play for a team during the WNBA’s off-season, she was arrested for drug possession when a small amount of hashish oil cartridges were found in her luggage.

She mentioned that anyone who goes to play basketball overseas is not being judged, and she also noted that many WNBA players supplement their income by doing so. She hopes that the salaries of athletes can grow and that the league’s audience can increase.

Both former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, who are currently held in Russia, are facing accusations of espionage. When asked by a reporter, Griner was questioned about any feelings of guilt regarding her release.

She expressed, “Certainly, I would have if I had the opportunity to retrieve them or any of that.” In addition, she mentioned that President Biden shares the same sentiment.

“She expressed, ‘It is painful, as nobody should have to endure such circumstances.’ ‘Whether it is their current experience or something I have personally faced, no one should ever have to go through such distressing conditions,’ she stated.”

She expressed, “simply provides you, like, the vitality of existence,” even from individuals she was unfamiliar with, she discovered that receiving correspondence while she was in Russia. The Mercury will be motivating supporters to compose letters to the families of prisoners. She is committed to utilizing her platform to promote awareness of individuals unlawfully imprisoned in other nations, she stated.

The journalist asked her about the legislation seeking to keep transgender athletes playing on teams matching their gender identity, saying that it is a priority to ensure that those who are fighting for it will move forward.

Griner, a cisgender homosexual, expressed, “All individuals are entitled to the privilege of participating.” She emphasized the importance of embracing one’s true self and stated, “In my opinion, it is unacceptable to isolate someone based on any justification.”

Cherelle, the wife of Biden, announced the news of her release when she was at the White House. She thanked Vice President Kamala Harris and all those who worked for her release, while she was in detention, for looking at the pictures that sustained her.

Griner expressed that being aware of the endeavors on her behalf “provided me with a sense of ease.” Additionally, she mentioned that she maintained resilience by “delving deeply” and having a forward-looking perspective.

She recommended to those still in custody to maintain their strength, persevere, never surrender, continue to wake up, establish a small daily schedule, and adhere to it.

She added that her daily encounters have become valuable to her. She mentioned that she has learned not to take anything for granted because life is brief. She stated that it resonates with her on a personal level, although she has heard similar sentiments multiple times before. Experiences like this only happen to a person once.