President Biden says WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison.
“She’s safe. She’s on a plane. She’s on her way home after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable conditions,” President Biden said from the Roosevelt Room announcing the exchange.
The WNBA star who was held for months in Russian prisons on drug charges, was released Thursday in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, bringing an end to an ordeal that sparked intensive high-level negotiations between the U.S. and the Kremlin to secure her freedom.
Brittney Griner is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was selected first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft after a standout career at Baylor University, where she led the Bears to two national championships and was named the consensus National Player of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.
Griner is a 6-foot-9-inch center known for her unique blend of size, athleticism, and skill. She is a dominant force in the paint, using her length and quickness to block shots and dominate the boards. On the offensive end, Griner has developed a reliable jump shot and a solid post game, making her a tough matchup for any defender.
Since joining the WNBA, Griner has made a name for herself as one of the league’s top players. She was named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2013 and has been named to the All-WNBA First Team three times (2014, 2015, and 2019) and the All-Defensive First Team five times (2014-2018). In addition to her individual accolades, Griner has helped lead the Mercury to two WNBA championships (2014 and 2019) and was named the Finals MVP in 2014.
Off the court, Griner has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights and has been open about her own sexuality. In 2013, she became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the WNBA, and she has used her platform to raise awareness and support for LGBTQ causes.
In conclusion, Brittney Griner is one of the top players in the WNBA and a dominant force on both ends of the court. She has been named to multiple All-WNBA and All-Defensive teams and has helped lead the Phoenix Mercury to two championships. Off the court, she has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights