WNBA star Brittney Griner, who spent 10 months detained in Russia in 2022, is speaking out about the release of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.
WNBA star Brittney Griner, who spent 10 months detained in Russia, said she is « head over heels » after the release of Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, who were freed from Russia in a prisoner swap.
« Great day », Griner said from Paris, where she is competing in women’s basketball for Team USA at the Olympics. « I’m head-over-heels happy for the families right now. Any day that Americans come home, that’s a win. »
Griner, who spoke to reporters after the U.S. women beat Belgium 87-74 to advance to the quarterfinals, said finding out about their release was « definitely emotional. »
« I’m sure it will be even more emotional a little later on. Yeah, I’m just happy. This was a big win. Huge win », Griner said.
« I know they have an amazing group of people that are going to help them out — them and their families », she said, adding that she was « glad » to receive that help herself to « get reacclimated into everyday life.
