Brittney Griner speaks out for first time since return from Russian prison

WASHINGTON – Two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star Brittney Griner thanked the Biden administration Friday in her first statement since returning to the US last week as part of a prisoner swap with Russia.

Griner, 32, was released in exchange for convicted international arms dealer Viktor Bout on Dec. 8, almost 10 months after she was busted at a Moscow airport with cannabis oil in February.

“It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn,” Griner said on Instagram after her release from a Texas medical facility. “I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”

Griner also announced she intended to return to the Phoenix Mercury for her 10th season as a professional.

“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,” she said.

She thanked several other advocates, including wife Cherelle, her “entire WNBA family” and “President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken and the entire Biden-Harris Administration.”

The White House was criticized for accepting a deal that did not include the return of Paul Whelan, an American citizen who has been imprisoned in Russia for nearly four years on trumped-up espionage charges.

“President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” Griner wrote Friday. “I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”

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