Seven-time WNBA All-Star Britney Griner returned to sport motion on Friday for the primary time since being arrested in February 2022 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after authorities found vape canisters with hashish oil in her baggage.
Griner spent practically 10 months in a Russian jail after she pleaded guilty to drug charges, and she or he returned to america in December after a prisoner trade.
Brittney Griner, #42 of the Phoenix Mercury, prepares to shoot a free throw through the sport towards the Los Angeles Sparks on Could 12, 2023, at Footprint Heart in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
On Friday evening, Griner performed in her first aggressive sport because the 2021 WNBA Finals, scoring 10 factors for the Phoenix Mercury in a preseason sport towards the Los Angeles Sparks.
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It was the Mercury’s last preseason sport earlier than the common season opener on Friday.
Previous to the tip, Griner and her teammates stood for the nationwide anthem, and the No. 1 decide of the 2013 WNBA Draft obtained a loud ovation from the house crowd as she was launched.
“Listening to the national anthem, it positively hit totally different,” Griner mentioned. “It’s like once you go for the Olympics, you’re sitting there, about to get gold put in your neck, the flags are going up, and the anthem is enjoying, it simply hits totally different.
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“Being right here at the moment … it means so much.”
The Phoenix Mercury stand for the nationwide anthem earlier than the sport towards the Los Angeles Sparks on Could 12, 2023, at Footprint Heart in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
In July 2020, as social justice protests have been occurring across the nation, Griner mentioned she did not really feel that the anthem should be played through the season, including that she did not imply any “disrespect to our nation.”
Griner re-signed with Phoenix in February, returning for her tenth WNBA season, all with the Mercury.
“We checked out one another, and we simply had chills,” Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard mentioned. “We have been right here final yr for all of it. I’m getting emotional about it now. Simply to see her again on the market — it’s an absolute miracle. It was wonderful. It’s giving me chills once more.”
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Griner added three rebounds in 17 minutes, however she was important of her efficiency, saying she was extra rusty than she anticipated.
Phoenix Mercury heart Brittney Griner is launched previous to a WNBA preseason basketball sport towards the Los Angeles Sparks, Friday, Could 12, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photograph/Matt York)
“Not the place I need it to be, however heading in the right direction,” Griner mentioned. “We’re making the correct strikes.”
Griner’s Russian detainment led to December after months of strained negotiations, with the Biden administration agreeing to trade Griner for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
Joe Morgan is a Sports activities Reporter for Fox Information.
