Las WNBA players and union leaders have returned to call for the release of American player Brittney Griner from a Russian prisona, just one hundred days after his entry into prison.
“Right now, on day 100 of the unjust detention of BGwe’re calling on everyone to use their platforms, no matter the size, to bring attention to his wrongful detention, to get (his wife) Cherelle to meet with President Biden, and to get (his wife) Cherelle to meet with President Biden and for our sister come home“, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) said in a statement.
When Griner went arrested in February, the WNBPA and those closest to the WNBA champion and two-time gold medalist tried to keep things quiet, fearing Griner would be treated as a political pawn. However, the US State Department stated in early May that Griner was wrongfully held. His wife, Cherelle Griner, has been campaigning to meet with Biden.
“To athletes, of any age, skill level, team, sport or country: this is our teammate. As a member of our global sports community, we must stand up and unite to ask for his release“, stated the WNBPA.
Several WNBA and NBA players tweeted about Griner on Saturday. “Brittney Griner has been illegally detained in Russia since February 17, 2022,” Kyrie Irving wrote. “I urge the White House to prioritize Brittney’s safe return home immediately!! #WeAreBG,” she added.
Griner, 31 years oldwas arrested at an airport near Moscow after Russian authorities claimed she was carrying hashish oil vape cartridges. He could face 10 years in a Russian prison.
Many WNBA players compete overseas during the offseason. of the league because foreign teams almost always pay better.
During Griner’s detention, US negotiators successfully secured the release of another American imprisoned in Russia, Mr. exmarine Trevor Reedwho was in his second year of a nine-year prison sentence. He was exchanged for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot who was serving a 20-year sentence in a federal prison in Connecticut for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States.
