Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle, welcomed the outpouring of support for the NBA women’s league star who was arrested last month in Russia.
Britney Griner was detained at the Moscow airport after Russian authorities said vaping cartridges were found in a search of the player’s luggage.
They claimed the cartridges contained what they identified as cannabis-derived oil, which could carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Griner, 31, one of the most notable players in women’s basketball, won two Olympic gold medals with the US women’s team, a championship in the WNBA (the women’s NBA league) with the Phoenix Mercury team and a championship National with Baylor University.
She has been nominated for the Women’s Basketball All-Star Game seven times.
Cherelle Griner posted a photo of the couple on Instagram on Sunday.
“Thank you to everyone who has contacted me regarding my wife’s safe return from Russia. Her prayers and support are greatly appreciated,” she wrote. “I love my wife with all my heart, so this message corresponds to one of the most difficult moments of my life. I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years, are worried and want details. Please respect our privacy as we continue to work to get my wife home safe and sound.
“Thanks!”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the United States provides assistance to any American citizen detained abroad.
“There is not much I can say given privacy considerations at this time. Whenever an American person is detained anywhere in the world, of course we are ready to provide any assistance possible, and that includes Russia,” Blinken said.
“We have a team at the embassy that is working on the cases of other Americans detained in Russia. We are doing everything in our power to defend and ensure that their rights are respected.”
Various WNBA players and other athletes have flooded social networks with numerous expressions of support for Griner.
Many have expressed concern for Griner’s physical and mental well-being. The player has struggled with mental health issues for much of her life and she has been outspoken about it.
During the Baylor men’s basketball game on Saturday, there was at least one sign supporting the former Bears star.
Griner has played in Russia for the past seven years during the winter and has earned more than $1 million per season, more than four times his WNBA pay.
The previous time he played for his team in Russia, UMMC Yekaterinburg, was on January 29, before the league’s two-week break in early February due to the International Basketball Federation’s World Cup qualifying tournaments. .
