In the Women’s National Basketball Association, Brittney Yevette Griner (born October 18, 1990) plays for the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA). She has been a part of the U.S. women’s national basketball team for a total of six WNBA All-Star seasons and has won two Olympic gold medals.
Rivals.com ranked Griner as the best high school female basketball player in the US in 2009. During the 2009 basketball season, she was named to the All-American team. When she was in college, she hooped it up for the Baylor Lady Bears in Waco, Texas.
In 2012, the three-time All-American had a career year, being recognized as the AP Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, leading Baylor to the National Championship, and receiving the ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete. Griner is the only player in NCAA history with 2,000 points and 500 blocks on the basketball court.
Who is Brittney Grinner?
Brittney Griner, age 31, is a household name in the Women’s National Basketball Association and a two-time Olympic winner (WBNA). The Texas native, who is 6 feet and 9 inches tall, was taken first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 Women’s National Basketball Association (WBNA) draught.
Why was She Detained in Russia?
Griner had vape cartridges carrying hashish oil in her luggage when she was apprehended on February 17 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. Both medical and recreational use of marijuana are prohibited by Russian law. Before boarding her aircraft to Ekaterinburg, a city located 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) east of Moscow, Griner was stopped at customs.
After spending some time at home in the United States, she was travelling to join her team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, for the postseason.
What has Her Defence Argued?
While Griner has admitted guilt on the drug allegations against her, she maintains that she did not intend to violate Russian law. She testified that she was at a loss as to how the cartridges got into her bags. While rushing to catch her flight, she considered the possibility that she had packed them by accident.
Griner was prescribed medical marijuana in the United States to help with the discomfort of his ongoing injuries. Because it has fewer adverse effects than other opioids, medical marijuana is widely used as a therapeutic strategy among athletes in states where it is allowed.
What has The Response Been in the United States?
Many high-profile Americans, including government leaders and athletes, believe Griner’s detention is politically motivated and have demanded that she be released immediately. Last month, Vice President Joe Biden called Griner’s wife Cherelle to assure her that he was doing everything he could to get her released from Russia.
Other notable American athletes have spoken out in favour of Griner. When women’s national soccer team member Megan Rapinoe won the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Vice President Joe Biden last month, she did it while wearing a white suit jacket with the initials “BG” embroidered on the lapel.
What Could Happen After the Verdict?
After the judgement is handed out, Griner’s legal team claims it is “legally possible” for her to be exchanged. Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State of the United States, claimed last week that the United States has made a “significant offer” to Russia in exchange for the freedom of American nationals such as Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, who are currently being held in Russia.
Reports surfaced that Washington was ready to swap “Merchant of Death” Viktor Bout, a convicted arms trafficker. Russian authorities said no arrangement had been reached, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned that “megaphone diplomacy” from Washington would not help with negotiations for a possible prisoner swap.
