Griner, who plays for Phoenix Mercury in the American Women’s Basketball League (WNBA) and for the Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA hiatus, is having a hard time.
According to the statement made on the NBA’s website, during the search carried out at Sheremetyevo Airport in the capital Moscow last month, it was announced by the Russian Federal Customs Service that there was oil obtained from hemp in Griner’s suitcase. the offense in question Up to 10 years in prison was stated.
Lindsay Kagawa Colas, the manager of the 31-year-old basketball player, “In addition to my player and his lawyer in Russia, we are in close contact with his family, clubs, WNBA and NBA administrations.” made his comment.
After the events, the US Department of State stepped in. Minister Anthony Blinken made the following assessment on the question of members of the press:
“When a US citizen is arrested anywhere in the world, including Russia, we of course provide all possible assistance. We have an embassy team working on the cases of Americans in Russia. We are doing everything we can to ensure their rights are respected.”
Griner, who won the WNBA champion in 2014 with the Phoenix Mercury jersey and was selected as an all-star 7 times, won 4 FIBA Women’s Europa League and 3 Russian league championships with the UMMC Ekaterinburg jersey.
Griner won 2 Olympic and world championships in the USA National Team.
