CNN
—
After spending nearly 10 months in jail in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner is making her return to basketball in the upcoming season, signing a one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury, a source tells CNN. with direct knowledge.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was released in December – after spending nearly 300 days in Russian custody – in a prisoner swap with Russia.
And as soon as she got home, she vowed to play in the WNBA again.
“It’s so good to be home!” The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn,” she wrote in December. post on Instagram. “I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love of so many of you that kept me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your help.”
“I also want to make one thing clear: I intend to play basketball for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” Griner said.
Griner – who for years had played in the WNBA offseason for a Russian women’s basketball team – was arrested for drug trafficking at a Moscow region airport in February 2022. Her detention, which became an international cause for a period tense in relations between the United States and Russia, was found to be at fault by American officials.
And despite her testimony that she had inadvertently packed the cannabis oil found in her luggage, she was sentenced to nine years in prison in early August and transferred to a penal colony in the republic of Mordovia in mid-November. after losing his appeal.
The 32-year-old last played for the Mercury in 2021, helping lead the team to the WNBA Finals, which they lost to Chicago Sky.
Prior to that, the seven-time All-Star had played all nine seasons with the franchise since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
Phoenix is scheduled to open the season on the road against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19. The team will play their first home game against Sky on May 21.
CNN contacted representatives for Griner and the Phoenix Mercury but did not immediately respond.
cnn
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