After questioning whether Brittney Griner wants to return to the US, LeBron James wants Americans to welcome her with ‘open arms’
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LeBron James, Brittney Griner
LeBron James was thrilled when Brittney Griner was officially released after being incarcerated in Russia since February and returned to the United States in a prisoner exchange. LeBron, like many others in the NBA and WNBA communities, expressed his emotions to Griner while speaking about her release on Sunday night after his game at Detroit.
Griner has been detained for the past ten months after cannabis oil was discovered in her luggage at a Moscow airport in February. She was sentenced to nine years in prison, and efforts to free her were delayed by the significant disruption in tensions between Washington and Moscow that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. But the tide has turned, as she was released last week in a high-profile prisoner swap.
When Griner was still in a Russian prison a few months ago, James gave his support, but his statements drew a lot of backlash. In the post-game press conference following his game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, LeBron James addressed Griner’s release and he appeared to be delighted at her freedom.
In the presser, he said: “It’s amazing. Especially around the holidays, she can be with her family and get back. For us, as a brotherhood and sisterhood, we welcome her with open arms and love and support and are just happy to have her back home on U.S. soil, that’s for sure.”
All about Brittney Griner’s arrest and imprisonment
Brittney Griner was being detained by the Russian authorities at Sheremetyevo International Airport in February. The seven-time all-star was seized by Russian Customs while in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. She was twice awarded the defensive player of the year title and was a seven-time all-star, making her one of the best WNBA players of all time.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in jail in August after being convicted of felony narcotics offenses in Russia. Griner’s legal team filed an appeal the next month, questioning the integrity of her nine-year sentence.
She was fully entitled to a 10-year prison sentence but in comparable cases throughout Russia, convicted offenders obtained reduced terms and, in some cases, parole. She was subject to harsh conditions in a penal colony, which was termed to be the worst penitentiary in Russia.
Brittney Griner, the 32-year-old star with the Phoenix Mercury, has two Olympic gold medals. She has been a member of UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia since 2014 and has been participating there as a part of the WNBA off-seasons to improve her earnings.
LeBron James’ teammate also joins in on the good news
Moreover, Anthony Davis, James’ teammate at Los Angeles, also shared his thoughts on Griner’s release from Russian detention. Also at the post-game presser, the Brow said: “Amazing. Being in Russia for as long as she was, inhumane living conditions. I think they showed the bed she was living in. … We live inside this box of basketball where everything is going well, you kind of forget about everything outside.”
He also stated: “We’re blessed to do what we do every single day because there’s people in this world, and our sister, who’s going through much bigger things than basketball. It’s good to get her home. We’re glad she’s here.”
Also Read: Not LeBron James, but Anthony Davis becomes Kobe Bryant’s shadow for LA Lakers
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Irvin Philip
(701 Articles Published)