Britney Griner is then a free woman 294 days in prison in Russiarest assured almost everyone in basketball. lebron james.
of los angeles lakers Starr praised Griner’s return during an alternate stream of “Thursday Night Football” on “The Shop” hours after it was reported in Russia. agreed to release her in exchange for convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout.
Speaking in a videoconference with his longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter (the Lakers are currently on a road trip to the East Coast), James called Griner’s release an important cause for basketball, saying he was wrongfully detained in a foreign country. I also acknowledged the presence of other Americans who were
“I think it’s a great day. For us Americans, I think it’s just that BG is back in the sport and her family is back. Her wife misses her, her family misses her.” I know her club misses her here in Phoenix. It’s a big day. Hats off to the President and kudos to Kamala Harris and everyone associated with it.Those who are illegally detained right now.I hope they can all be caught.”
The most notable of the Americans detained is Paul Whelan, who has been imprisoned in Russia for nearly four years.
U.S. officials tried to secure both Greiner’s and Whelan’s freedom in exchange for a bout, but Russia has consistently refused to release the 52-year-old former Marine sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. He also rejected the offer.Russia even when offered her Whelan-for-Bout replacement in person reportedly hesitated to negotiate.
James is one of several NBA and WNBA basketball players to call for more urgent efforts to free Griner. A clip for “The Shop” leaves us wondering if Griner wants to go back to America.
Griner’s return to the United States is only the first step in returning home. Phoenix Mercury Stars may need a lot of time to recover physically and mentally Russia’s notoriously harsh prison conditionsWNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbart said: Time and space are given before the league gets involved with her.
