Why was Brittney Griner detained in Russia?
WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained in Russia in February 2022.
Though Russian courts sentenced her to nine years in prison on drug smuggling charges, the basketball star was released in December 2022.
Who is Brittney Griner?
Brittney Griner is a professional basketball player for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury who was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas.
She first rose to fame playing in the NCAA for the Baylor Lady Bears, where she became the only player in history to score 2,000 points and block 500 shots.
Following her successful collegiate career, she went on to play in the WNBA and the Russian Premier League.
Players often compete overseas because they can earn over $1 million; compared to the WNBA's maximum base salary of $228,000, according to NBC News.
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She also married Cherelle Griner, who graduated with her JD from North Carolina Central University Law School on May 7, 2022.
In April 2024, the pair announced they were expecting their first child together.
Why was Brittney Griner detained in Russia?
Griner was heading back to New York in February 2022 when she was stopped at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after a scan revealed that she had cartridges containing liquid with hashish oil, according to ESPN.
As a result, a criminal case was opened and she was arrested.
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Griner's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said in a statement to Yahoo! Sports: "We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA.
"As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern."
As the news started to spread, a number of celebrities, athletes, and politicians took to social media to call for the star's safe return home.
On March 17, 2022, her detention was extended to May 19, but after a court hearing on May 13, Russian authorities extended it another 30 days and denied her request for house arrest, ESPN reported.
The extension came just weeks after the Biden administration classified her status as being "wrongfully detained."
In July 2022, Griner's case headed to trial, and shortly after, she pleaded guilty. In Russia, trials still continue even if a defendant has admitted guilt.
One month later, she was found guilty of the charges against her and sentenced to nine years in prison.
Before the plea was read, Griner addressed the court, stating that she "never meant to break any law" in Russia by having vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her possession.
"I know everybody keeps talking about 'political pawn' and 'politics,' but I hope that is far from this courtroom," Griner said, via ESPN.
She then went on to apologize for the embarrassment her arrest has caused.
"I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans, and the city of [Yekaterinburg] for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them," Griner said.
"I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home."
When did Brittney Griner return to the US?
On July 28, 2022, CNN reported that the Biden administration offered to exchange convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout for Griner and Paul Whelan, who are both classified as wrongfully detained.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference that Biden was "directly involved" and signed off on the proposal.
Griner appealed to the Russian court to reduce her sentence on drug smuggling charges, but her plea was denied on October 25, 2022.
Her lawyers said previously that Griner "did not expect any miracles to happen,” and it is unclear if they have exhausted all their legal options.
The remaining hope was that Biden would negotiate Griner's release in exchange for Russian prisoners.
The WNBA star was released on December 8, 2022, in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, officials said.
Biden shared a message about Griner's release on Thursday alongside a picture with her wife and Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home," read his tweet.
Griner safely made it back to the United States.
Reflecting on her detainment, during a press conference on April 27, 2023, Griner revealed she will never play overseas unless it's for the Olympics.
Griner said: "If I make that [US] team, that would be the only time I’ll leave the US soil and that’s just to represent the USA.
“The whole reason a lot of us go over is the pay gap. A lot of us go over there to make an income, to support our families, to support ourselves. So I don’t knock any player that wants to go overseas and want to make a little bit extra money.
"But I’m hoping that our league continues to grow and with as many people in here now covering this I hope you continue to cover our league and bring exposure to us."
Griner returned to the WNBA and played her first game back in the 2023 season opener on May 19.
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ABC's 20/20 will air an exclusive interview with Griner speaking with Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts on her confinement.
The special edition of 20/20 will air on May 1, 2024.