Brittney Griner: A Journey Through Triumph and Challenges
Brittney Griner, a WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was released from Russian detention in December as part of a prisoner swap that involved Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The Arrest and Diplomatic Tensions
Griner—who for years had played in the offseason for a pro basketball team in Russia—was arrested in February 2022 at an airport in the Moscow region. Despite her testimony that she had inadvertently packed the cannabis oil found in her luggage, she was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Her arrest sparked significant diplomatic drama between the United States and the Kremlin amid ongoing tensions stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Consequently, while the U.S. enacted severe sanctions in response to the war, diplomats maintained open lines of communication with Moscow to negotiate Griner’s release.
Griner’s Basketball Career
Griner is an eight-time WNBA All-Star who has dedicated her entire WNBA career to the Phoenix Mercury. Prior to turning professional, she was a standout player at Baylor University, where she broke numerous records.
Personal Life and Significance
Griner was born in Houston on October 18, 1990, as the youngest child of Raymond and Sandra Griner. Her journey through sports, personal challenges, and eventual resurgence has made her an inspirational figure in the world of women’s basketball and beyond.
Recognition and Impact
As Griner continues her basketball journey, her story of resilience and strength resonates widely. Many fans, athletes, and supporters appreciate her contributions to the sport and her role as a vocal advocate for women’s rights and justice.
Griner was born in Houston on October 18, 1990. She is the youngest child of Raymond and Sandra Griner.A young Griner, then in seventh grade, drives a four-wheeler. Brittney Griner/FacebookGriner would attend Nimitz High School, where she broke nearly all the school’s basketball records.Griner signs autographs while playing for Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Darren Carroll/Sports Illustrated/Getty ImagesGriner huddles with Baylor teammates during a Final Four game in 2010. Eric Gay/APGriner goes up for the opening tip at the 2010 Final Four. Eric Gay/APGriner celebrates after Baylor won the NCAA title in 2012. She was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player as Baylor went 40-0 on the season.Griner plays against Iowa State in 2012. Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated/Getty ImagesGriner huddles with teammates before a game in 2012. Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated/Getty ImagesGriner’s image is seen on a building in downtown Phoenix after the Phoenix Mercury chose her with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA draft.Griner talks with the media after being drafted in 2013. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty ImagesGriner takes a photo during the 2013 WNBA All-Star Game. Chris Marion/NBAE/Getty ImagesGriner blocks a Skylar Diggins shot during a WNBA game in 2014. Shane Bevel/NBAE/Getty ImagesGriner holds the WNBA championship trophy after Phoenix defeated Chicago in 2014.Griner huddles with a group of kids during a WNBA Fit All-Star Clinic in 2015. Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty ImagesGriner gets fired up before a playoff game in 2015. Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty ImagesGriner high-fives Obama as the Mercury visited the White House in 2015. Olivier Douliery/Getty ImagesGriner plays against Spain at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesGriner reacts after hitting a 3-pointer in 2020. Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesGriner takes a selfie with her teammates after they won Olympic gold in 2021. Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesGriner kisses her wife, Cherelle, after a playoff win in 2021.Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court outside Moscow in June 2022. Her case raised concerns she was being used as a political pawn in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The US State Department classified her as wrongfully detained.Griner sits inside a defendants’ cage in August 2022 before she was sentenced to nine years of jail time.Griner’s wife, Cherelle, sits with President Joe Biden as they talk with Griner on the phone after her release in December 2022. This photo was tweeted on the president’s account, stating: “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.”Griner arrives in San Antonio after being released from Russian custody in exchange for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. She shared this photo on her Instagram days later, expressing her gratitude to everyone who supported her.Griner hugs her wife, Cherelle, after landing in San Antonio.Griner makes a surprise appearance at the NAACP Image Awards in February 2023, receiving a standing ovation as she took the stage.Griner speaks during a news conference in Phoenix in April 2023. She stated she would “never go overseas” again unless for the Olympics.Griner is introduced before a WNBA preseason game in May 2023, marking her first competitive game since being released from Russian custody.
