Brittney Griner

2022 - 3 - 6

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Japan Times"

U.S. working to secure Brittney Griner's release after star's ... (The Japan Times)

Washington – Diplomats were working to ensure the release of seven-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner after Russia said it detained the player last month ...

“Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.” It’s critical that now we use our collective voice to call for her safe and swift return to her family.” It was not clear when in February Griner, who plays in Russia during the WNBA offseason, was detained. Russian news agency TASS identified the player as Griner, citing a source. “Our thoughts are with Brittney Griner, her loved ones, and her teammates during this terrifying ordeal,” a spokesperson for Athlete Ally, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ rights in sports, said on Sunday. “Brittney has long been a powerful voice for LGBTQ+ equality. He added, “We have an embassy team that’s working on the cases of other Americans who are detained in Russia. We’re doing everything we can to see to it that their rights are upheld and respected.”

Fears grow Russia could use US basketball star Brittney Griner as ... (The Guardian)

A Texas congresswoman has called for Russia to release Brittney Griner as fears grow Vladimir Putin could use the basketball star as a pawn during the war ...

Griner, a 6ft 9in center, is considered one of the best players in the world. Griner, like many of her fellow WNBA players, also competes in Russia during the league’s offseason. Lee said that Russia’s actions in Ukraine undermined their detention of Griner. “I don’t want to disregard a sovereign nation but Putin has disregarded sovereign nations his entire service in this world,” Lee said.

Brittney Griner's wife posts on Instagram about WNBA star's ... (NBC News)

WNBA star Brittney Griner's wife Cherelle Griner posted to Instagram about the Phoenix Mercury player's detention in Russia.

"Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely." Griner, a center for the Mercury, has played in Russia in the winter for the last seven years. "Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

Commenting on WNBA star Brittney Griner, Secretary of State ... (ESPN)

Reacting to WNBA star Brittney Griner being detained in Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States will "provide every possible ...

"We have an embassy team that's working on the cases of other Americans who are detained in Russia," he added. Reacting to WNBA star Brittney Griner being detained in Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday the United States will "provide every possible assistance" to citizens who are being held in foreign countries. "There's only so much I can say given the privacy considerations at this point," Blinken said of Griner. "Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia."

New York Times: Brittney Griner, two-time Olympic gold medalist ... (CNN)

Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time Women's National Basketball Association All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury basketball team, ...

We will continue to closely monitor and look forward to her return to the US." "I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. The women's National Basketball Players Association said in a statement it is "aware of the situation in Russia concerning one of our members, Brittney Griner. Our utmost concern is BG's safety and well-being. The Phoenix Mercury said it is "closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia" as they remain in "constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA. We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home." USA Basketball, the governing body for sport in the United States, said in a statement it is "aware of and closely monitoring the legal situation facing Brittney Griner in Russia. Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball and her safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns." "I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life," Cherelle Griner wrote in her Instagram post.

WNBA star Brittney Griner arrested and detained in Russia (The Washington Post)

Griner's arrest after a search of her luggage at Sheremetyevo International Airport found hash oil, according to Russian new agency Tass.

“USA Basketball is aware of and closely monitoring the legal situation facing Brittney Griner in Russia,” the organization said in a statement. We will continue to closely monitor and look forward to her return to the U.S.” She is a seven-time WNBA all-star after being the No. 1 draft pick in 2013 and is one of the world’s most recognizable women’s basketball players. Many women’s basketball players spend the offseason overseas to supplement their WNBA salaries. Griner’s Phoenix Mercury WNBA team was “closely monitoring the situation,” it said in a statement. “I love my wife wholeheartedly,” she wrote on Instagram, “so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life.