Brittney Griner is returning to the WNBA, signing a 1-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury … lower than 3 months after being free of a Russian jail, the place she spent almost 10 months.
32-year-old Griner final performed throughout the 2021 WNBA season … the place she lead the Mercury to the Finals. They misplaced to the Chicago Sky, 3 video games to 1.
Many followers questioned whether or not Griner would return to the courtroom after she was swapped with high-value Russian prisoner, Viktor Bout as a part of her launch in December 2022 … however Brittney vowed to return to the courtroom.
12/09/22
AP
“I additionally wish to make one factor very clear, I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season,” BG wrote shortly after her launch, including she wished to thank everybody who advocated on her behalf whereas she was locked up.
Of course, Griner was locked up close to Moscow in February 2022 after Russia claimed she was caught trying to smuggle vape cartridges into the nation. BG wasn’t unknown to Russia … she beforehand hooped abroad, the place gamers can earn a extra profitable wage.
The 2023 WNBA season begins in mid-May.
The phrases of the deal haven’t but been introduced … and neither Griner nor the group, have issued a press release on the signing.
Griner was drafted by the Mercury with the primary general choose within the 2013 WNBA Draft. She led Phoenix to a WNBA title in 2014. BG is an 8x All-Star and 2x scoring champion. The 6’9″ middle additionally led the league in blocks 8 occasions.