Brittney Griner re-signs with Phoenix Mercury

Brittney Griner returns to the Phoenix Mercury.

Griner, who was a free agent, has re-signed with Mercury for a one-year deal, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Saturday because no announcement was made.

Griner, 32, had said she would return to Phoenix in a social media post in December, having returned home from her 10-month ordeal in Russia, which included time in a Russian prison. Griner was arrested at an airport just outside Moscow for drug possession a year ago and was flown home in a high-profile prisoner swap in December.

The 6-foot-9 center last played for the Mercury in 2021 and helped the team reach the WNBA Finals. She averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds that season.

The “Her Hoops Stats” website was the first to report Griner’s signing.

Griner, who was drafted No. 1 in 2013 by the Mercury, was listed on Phoenix’s roster on the WNBA website on Saturday.

Since returning from Russia, Griner has been out of the public spotlight, save for appearances at the Super Bowl, the Phoenix Open and an MLK Day event in Phoenix, where she lives.

She skipped a USA Basketball training camp earlier this month, but the organization has made it clear she can take all the time she needs to decide if she wants to play for USA again. .

The WNBA said it would take care of securing special travel accommodations for Griner, such as charter flights, after he is signed.

“We are very aware of BG’s unique situation,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told the AP earlier this month. “We have planned and we have thought about it with security experts, on the side of BG, on our side. We’ll find a good time to comment on it when she signs with a team.

Earlier Saturday, the Mercury signed Diana Taurasi to a multi-year contract. The WNBA’s all-time leading scorer has only played with the Mercury since being drafted No. 1 by the team in 2004.