Eight-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner played her first home game since her release from Russia after being detained for 10 months due to drug sumggling charges. She was found with a vape cartridge containing less than a gram of cannabis oil upon arrival at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in February 2022.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison, but was released after a one-on-one prisoner swap between the United States and Russia involving arms dealer Viktor Bout, per CBS News.
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Brittney Griner Makes WNBA Home Debut
The former Baylor player made her home debut in a game between the Mercury and Chicago Sky on Sunday night.
Griner was introduced to a massive ovation from the Mercury crowd, as she played in her first home game in 585 days. She scored her first basket shortly with an and-one.
Although the Sky held on secure a 75-69 victory, it was an inspiring night for Brittney Griner and the Mercury.
Griner put up 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in her first game at the Footprint Center in nearly two years.
When asked about what playing in front of her parents and wife meant, the 2013 WNBA Draft 1st overall pick answered that it got her "choked up," according to Trevor Booth of ClutchPoints.
"That was amazing.. Didn't know when that was going to happen, if it would happen... it could have been a lot different."
Moving forward, Griner stated that she wants to focus on basketball, saying that the WNBA has a great product and encouraged more coverage about the league.
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