WNBA Champion: Brittney Griner
- Kayla Bryson
- Nov 20, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2022
From WNBA Champion to Russian Prisoner
The psychological impact of WNBA player, Brittney Griner's multi-year imprisonment in Russia.
On February 17, 2022, WNBA player, Brittney Griner was detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Russia on the possession of vape cartridges containing marijuana concentrate hashish oil, which was found in her luggage. Following countless hours of interrogation, questioning, diplomatic efforts between U.S. President Biden and Russian President Putin, and the process of trial, Griner plead guilty and was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison this past August on possession and transportation of an illegal substance charges. Despite her plea, Brittney insists that she had no intentions of breaking the law or any purposeful malicious actions. In early November, without the knowledge of her attorneys and family, Russian officials moved Griner to the Female Penal Colony IK-2 in Yavas, about 300 miles from Moscow.
Coming of an NCAA National Championship with Baylor University, Brittney Griner was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Selected by the Phoenix Mercury, the 6'9" center has since made a significant impact on the league and for the game of basketball internationally as an Olympian and professional player overseas with China and Russia. Earning a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team (2013), awarded Defensive Player of the Year (2014 & 2015), and earning her first WNBA Championship in 2014--to name just a few of her accolades--Griner has been a force to be reckoned with in women's basketball. Her detainment came as a shock and rocked the entire league, in addition to the world of sports. With the support of multiple college coaches including Dawn Staley (South Carolina) and Geno Auriemma (Connecticut), players and coaches throughout the WNBA and NBA are fighting for Brittney's release.
Upon gearing up for a return to the States for the 2022 WNBA Season with the Mercury, Brittney had just completed her eight consecutive season with the Russian women's basketball team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, when the marijuana vape cartridges were found in her possession in her luggage at the Russian airport. Her detainment came at a time when the war between Russia and Ukraine was just beginning, causing her case to be vastly overlooked by Russian law enforcement. With little contact between family, friends, and teammates, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Brittney's psychological well-being and safety raises a great amount of concern.
Forced to communicate through her attorneys, Griner has written letters back and forth to her wife, Cherelle Griner, talked on the phone with her twice since February, and sent U.S. President Joe Biden a letter fighting for her innocence and to be brought back home to her native land. Despite having access to reading books and being fed a well-rounded diet, is not enough to prepare her for the 9.5 year prison sentence she is now faced with. The inconsistent communication and unknown circumstances surrounding her true conditions, are bound to take a toll on her mind, body, and soul. With a number of safety concerns, the potential for Brittney to harm herself or be assaulted while in custody is at the top of the list.
The hopes moving forward for Brittney are that she will get an early release on good behavior and/or be granted parole prior to the completion of her sentence. Upon release, if Brittney were to make a return to the WNBA, a roster spot still remains with the Phoenix Mercury, but a number of requirements would be expected including therapy and a psychological wellness clearance. Given her case has taken place in the country of her overseas professional team, it would understandable if Brittney were to decide make the transition to a different team for the winter seasons. Updates and changes still surround Brittney's case at this point, but it is unclear if and when the WNBA star will make her return to the United States and be back on the basketball court with #42 on her back.
If you wish to contribute to the early release of Brittney Griner, visit wearebg.org or Change.org and sign the petition on her behalf.
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