During the WNBA off-season, Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport. The athlete was accused of smuggling hashish oil into her luggage by Russian police. However, it took weeks to learn about her arrest and confinement. Let’s dig deep into Where Is Griner Now?
The State Department pronounced Griner “wrongfully held” in May 2022, despite Russia’s war with Ukraine. Instead of waiting until her next Russian court appearance, officials might immediately negotiate for her release.
That month, Griner’s incarceration was prolonged until mid-June 2022. In the interim, the Texas native writes to her friends and relatives. “She jokes in her letters. Amanda Zahui B., a Los Angeles Sparks player, told the Associated Press, “I don’t know how she does it with what she’s going through.” “Amazing spirit. In this case, she illuminates. Not many individuals could achieve that.”
Cherelle Griner, the ESPY winner’s wife, has also spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about the situation. In May 2022, Cherelle told Good Morning America, “You say she’s a top priority, but I want to see it, and I feel like to see that would be me seeing BG on U.S. soil.”
The Baylor University graduate noted that her wife played in Russia since WNBA pay wasn’t enough to maintain their family. In the off-season, several WNBA players work abroad.
“BG would love to not go overseas,” Cherelle said. “She has only had one Thanksgiving in the States in nine years since she’s been pro, and she misses all that stuff.” Just because, you know, she can’t make enough money in the WNBA to sustain her life.”
Who Is Brittney Griner?
Brittney Griner has etched her name in the annals of American basketball lore with her historic scoring total of 2,000 points and her remarkable shot total of 500, but that is not all!
Publications such as Rivals.com ranked her as the best high school female basketball player in the country. She also received this honor.
The athlete, who is 32 years old, took home the gold medal in both the 2016 and 2021 Olympic competitions. Additionally, she helped Team USA win the FIBA Women’s World Cup on two separate occasions, in 2014 and 2018.
Brittney Griner was the fourth of four children and the youngest of the Griner siblings when she was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. She attended Nimitz High School as a teen and was a standout athlete there, earning a letter in basketball and making the varsity volleyball team as a freshman.
Griner played a key role in the Nimitz Cougars’ run to the state title game in the 5A division of the Texas high school girls’ basketball tournament during her senior year, but they were defeated by Mansfield Summit High School.
Griner concluded her senior year with a total of 52 dunks, including a single-game record of seven dunks in a game that she played versus Aldine High School.
In addition to that, she broke the record for the most blocks in a single season with 318. Griner was given the honor of WBCA All-American status as recognition for her many accomplishments. Let’s dig deep into Where Is Griner Now?
Where Is Griner Now?
An epic battle has a happy ending, bringing home a legend. Brittney Griner, a star of the WNBA, will soon be released from Russian detention.
Joe Biden, the Vice President, tweeted on December 8, 2022, that she will be freed. Brittney Griner and I just finished our conversation. There is no danger to her. She’s in the air right now. He reassured her that she was on her way home in his letter.
U.A.E. negotiators secured Griner’s release in exchange for a convicted arms dealer.
Many of her fellow athletes have been advocating for her release and return to the United States.
Boston Celtics players wore “WE ARE BG” T-shirts to practice for Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals. Grant Williams explained the team’s decision to wear solidarity shirts to ESPN, saying, “The shirts were super important not only showing our support for our sister that is detained over in Russia, Brittney Griner, but we just wanted to show that togetherness and love that we have throughout not only the NBA but the WNBA.”
Her influence on young female athletes in the United States and around the world has made her a cornerstone of the WNBA and college basketball for many years.
LeBron James, who has also advocated for swifter action on the case, shared a social media post from his Uninterrupted platform urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to keep pressing for Griner’s return.
“Everyone needs to pull together and do anything they can to assist get BG back home as soon and safely as possible!” Jam in Space: A 2022 tweet from a New Legacy star. As athletes, “our voice is greater when we speak as one.”
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