Kristian Ferrell
WNBA star Brittney Griner has confirmed that she will return to basketball after spending nearly 10 months in Russian custody. Griner, who was arrested in February 2022 on smuggling charges, was released in December 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange between the US and Russian governments. Since her release, Griner has used her platform as a WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist to advocate for the return of other Americans detained overseas, including Paul Whelan. In an Instagram post, Griner expressed her gratitude to her supporters and confirmed her intention to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. She also stated that she will not be playing basketball overseas during the WNBA offseason, except with USA Basketball. Griner's return to the WNBA was met with a standing ovation from the audience, and she is set to join the new women's pro basketball league, Unrivaled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of return | May 2023 |
| Team | Phoenix Mercury |
| League | WNBA |
| First game after return | Against Chicago Sky |
| Opponent in the first game after return | Chicago Sky |
| Date of the first game after return | May 21 |
| Venue of the first game after return | Footprint Center |
| Return announcement date | December 15, 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Brittney Griner's return to the WNBA in 2023
After spending nearly 10 months in Russian custody, WNBA star Brittney Griner returned to the United States on December 8, 2022, as part of a prisoner exchange. Griner was arrested in February 2022 on smuggling charges after Russian customs officials found cartridges containing less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil in her luggage. In May 2023, she made her return to the WNBA, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Griner has since confirmed that she will be returning to the basketball court for the 2023 season. In an Instagram post, she thanked everyone who helped secure her release, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who negotiated the prisoner swap with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Griner also expressed her intention to use her platform to advocate for the return of other Americans, such as Paul Whelan, who are still being held hostage overseas.
On December 15, 2022, Griner announced her decision to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury in 2023, marking her return to the team after an 11-year run that began when she was drafted in 2013. Griner's dominant performance in her most recent season in 2021, where she led the league in efficiency rating and finished second in scoring average, field-goal percentage, and blocks per game, further highlights her impact on the team.
In addition to her return to the WNBA, Griner has expressed interest in joining the Olympic team for the Paris Games in 2024. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2016, 2020) and a two-time gold medalist at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Championship (2014, 2018). Griner's impressive athletic career and perseverance in the face of adversity make her return to the WNBA in 2023 highly anticipated.
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Griner's time in a Russian penal colony
Brittney Griner spent nearly ten months in Russian custody, including time in a penal colony, after being detained at a Russian airport in February 2022. Griner was travelling to Russia to play basketball for Ekaterinburg during the WNBA off-season. She was arrested on smuggling charges after cartridges containing less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil were found in her luggage.
In Russia, Griner was initially held in jail, where she remained for several months as her case gained widespread attention and demands for her release grew. In July 2022, her trial began, and she pled guilty to the charges, stating that the cannabis oil had been packed accidentally. However, she testified that she had been forced to sign documents in Russian that she did not understand. On August 4, 2022, Griner was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony, a sentence that drew concern from international watchdogs. The typical sentence in Russia for Griner's offence was no more than 15 days in jail.
In November 2022, Griner was transferred to the Russian penal colony IK-2, also known as Corrective Colony No. 2 or IK-2 Mordovia. This facility has been described as "notoriously terrible, even by Russian standards", with inmates facing gruelling labour in horrific conditions. While at the penal colony, Griner was forced to make uniforms for Russian soldiers and endure mental and moral pressure. She was forbidden from talking with other convicts and was only allowed to watch Russian federal TV channels.
On December 8, 2022, after nearly ten months in Russian custody, Griner was released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in a U.S. federal prison. Griner returned to the WNBA in May 2023, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. She has since confirmed her intention to continue her basketball career, stating that she will play for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
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Griner's new book, 'Coming Home'
Brittney Griner's book, "Coming Home", is a memoir that details her experience of being detained in Russia. Griner, a WNBA star, was arrested in February 2022 at a Moscow airport for carrying medically prescribed hash oil, which is illegal in Russia. She was playing basketball with the Russian Premier League during the WNBA off-season. Griner's book provides a raw and honest account of her time in captivity, including the harrowing details of her arrest, trial, and sentencing. It also highlights the support she received from her wife, Cherelle, her family, and friends, as well as the #WeAreBG movement that rallied for her release.
"Coming Home" is more than just a story of Griner's journey from captivity to freedom. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love. Griner's story serves as a reminder of the potential dangers when autocrats invest in sports, and it provides a glimpse into the harsh realities of Russia's criminal justice system.
In the book, Griner shares the text messages exchanged with her wife, Relle, during the frightening experience. She also reveals the powerlessness she felt as she was sucked into a corrupt and draconian penal system, with her future freedom depending on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Griner spent nearly 10 months in Russian custody and was released in December 2022 through a prisoner exchange.
"Coming Home" has received rave reviews, with critics describing it as compelling, intimate, and harrowing. It has been praised for its honest and powerful documentation of Griner's experience and the impact on her body and mind. The book has been a New York Times Bestseller and was named a TIME Must-Read Book of the Year.
Following her release, Griner returned to the WNBA in May 2023, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. She also shared her intention to use her platform to help bring other Americans, such as Paul Whelan, who are still being held hostage overseas, back home.
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Griner's move from Phoenix Mercury to Atlanta Dream
Brittney Griner's move from the Phoenix Mercury to the Atlanta Dream marks a significant shift in her WNBA career. Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, spent 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, having been drafted by the team in 2013. During her time with the Mercury, Griner established herself as a dominant force in the league, helping the team win its third and most recent championship in 2014 alongside Diana Taurasi. However, in January 2025, Griner announced that she would be joining the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 season, signing a one-year deal.
This decision came as a surprise to many, as Griner had spent her entire career with the Mercury and was the second-longest-tenured WNBA player with one team. Griner's departure from Phoenix was hinted at when she stated her intention to meet with other teams during free agency, and it became almost certain when the Mercury acquired Alyssa Thomas, making a full-time partnership with Thomas seem unlikely due to spacing challenges. Griner's move to the Atlanta Dream is considered one of the most stunning free agency signings in league history.
The Atlanta Dream, seeking to improve their performance after being swept in the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, welcomed Griner as a veteran presence to complement their young core. Griner joins two-time All-Stars Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray on the wings, along with two-time All-Defense point guard Jordin Canada. With Griner's scoring prowess, the Dream aim to modernize their offense, which was ranked the worst in the WNBA in 2024. Griner's decision to join the Dream was influenced by the team itself, the players, and her family.
While Griner's move to the Atlanta Dream signals a new chapter in her career, it also represents a significant change for the Phoenix Mercury. With the potential departure of Diana Taurasi, the Mercury could be facing a new era without two of their key players from the 2014 championship team. Griner's absence will undoubtedly impact the team's dynamics, and they have already begun reshaping their roster with the acquisition of Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris from the Connecticut Sun.
Griner's return to the WNBA and her move to the Atlanta Dream come after a challenging period in her life. In 2022, she was detained in Russia and sentenced to nine years in prison for smuggling charges. However, she was released in December 2022 through a prisoner exchange and made a successful return to the WNBA in 2023, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. Griner's resilience and determination to continue her basketball career are admirable, and her impact on the court with the Atlanta Dream will be highly anticipated.
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Griner's advocacy for other Americans detained overseas
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star, was detained and arrested on smuggling charges by Russian customs officials in February 2022. She was returning to Russia to continue her overseas season with UMMC Ekaterinburg when vape canisters with cannabis oil were found in her luggage. Griner later acknowledged this in court, stating that she had no criminal intent and had packed them in haste. She was sentenced to nine years in prison, but in December 2022, she was released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Griner's experience sparked a newfound awareness of the issue of wrongful detention among Americans. She has since become an advocate for other Americans detained overseas, partnering with the Bring Our Families Home campaign to bring attention to the issue. Griner has also used her platform to urge the Biden administration to bring home other Americans who are still detained, such as Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018.
In an April 2023 press conference, Griner announced that the Mercury had partnered with the Bring Our Families Home campaign to continue raising awareness and advocating for those still held captive overseas. Griner and the Mercury unveiled a mural of wrongful detainees outside the team's home arena in downtown Phoenix, where fans could write letters to the Americans who have not yet returned from their wrongful detainments.
Griner has also expressed her intention to continue playing basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, using her return to the court as an opportunity to thank those who advocated for her release. She has stated that she will not play overseas again unless it is with the U.S. national team, focusing on supporting her family and herself through the WNBA.
Griner's advocacy and the attention her case received have brought the issue of wrongful detention into the public eye, pressuring the government to take stronger action and helping to secure the release of other detainees. Her experience has not only sparked a personal commitment to advocacy but also inspired a broader movement to bring attention and support to Americans detained overseas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Griner returned to the WNBA in May 2023 after being released from a Russian prison. She also intends to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
Yes, Griner played basketball in China and Russia during the WNBA offseason.
Griner played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Premier League during the WNBA offseason.
Griner plays the center position for the Phoenix Mercury.
Griner is a dominant player known for her efficiency, scoring, field-goal percentage, and blocks. She is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a three-time WNBA champion.
