The feelings of resentment and heartbreak due to being incarcerated in Russia and the relief of liberation aren’t alien to Brittney Griner.
After the USA women’s team’s victory over Belgium, the Phoenix Mercury star offered her thoughts on the Russian prisoner exchange that freed over two dozen people and sent three Americans—Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Paul Whelan—back home.
“Great day. It’s a great day. It’s a great day. We’ll talk more about it later, but head over heels for the families right now,” Griner gleefully said. “Any day that Americans come home, that’s a win. That’s a win.”
The Olympian once faced a nine-year sentence in Russia on charges of drug possession and smuggling. She was released in 2022.
Griner was “definitely emotional” when she learned the news of the three Americans returning home after the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War.
Brittney Griner competes for third Olympic gold 19 months after release
Brittney Griner was freed in December 2022 in a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia, with the U.S. releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for her.
She was deemed to be “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government—a designation that effectively propelled the U.S. to negotiate for her release. 19 months later, she is back as a representative for the USA women’s basketball team in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Griner helped lead Team USA to its second straight group-stage victory in the Summer Olympics—and their 57th consecutive Olympic win overall—before she was made aware of the prisoner swap. She tallied seven points and two rebounds in 10 minutes for Team USA in their 87-74 win over Belgium. A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart also combined for 49 points in the victory.
Brittney Griner also gave a solid performance in Team USA’s first tournament game on July 30. She scored 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in their 102-76 victory over Japan. She finished 5-for-7 from the field in 16 minutes of game time.
Team USA will look to extend its winning streak when it faces fellow 2-0 Team Germany in the final group-phase matchup.
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