The Houston native was found guilty of drug possession and smuggling in Russia.
US Women National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, is escorted to the courtroom to hear the court’s final decision in Khimki outside Moscow, on August 4, 2022.
Fellow athletes and fans are responding to Thursday’s decision by a Russian court to sentence WNBA all-star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison, many renewing their pleas for President Joe Biden to do everything he can to bring the Houston native home. At the end of her month-long trial Thursday, the Olympic Gold medalist was found guilty of drug possession and smuggling for allegedly carrying cannabis oil in her luggage while at an airport in Moscow earlier this year.
Griner appeared to react to the sentencing with very little emotion, listening to the verdict with a blank stare on her face. However, shortly after the decision came down, fellow athletes and fans took to Twitter to speak out in support of the Phoenix Mercury player.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a joint statement Thursday, calling the verdict « unjustified and unfortunate, » although they said it was not unexpected. « Brittney Griner remains wrongly detained, » the statement said. « The WNBA and NBA’s commitment to her safe return has not wavered and it is our hope that we are near the end of this process of finally bringing BG home to the United States. »
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner: pic.twitter.com/FMQZsHBDVv
Griner’s Phoenix Mercury team issued a statement saying they remain « grateful and confident » in those working to bring her home. « We remain faithful the Administration will do what it takes to end her wrongful detention, » the statement said. « We will not allow her to be forgotten. »
We Are BG. pic.twitter.com/xFLu0a2aSB
Several NBA players also expressed their disappointment with the verdict. Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving called on Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to provide more information about Griner’s status, tweeting: « What is truly happening with our Queen @brittneygriner @POTUS @VP? Please give us an Update.
