Brittney Griner freed from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer: Latest updates on release of WNBA star

Kyle Irving

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Brittney Griner freed from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer: Latest updates on release of WNBA star image

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russia in a prisoner swap for convicted international arms dealer Viktor Bout on Thursday. It was first reported by CBS News and later confirmed by President Joe Biden and U.S. officials. 

Griner had been detained in Russia since March 5 after customs service officials found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport. She was competing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Premier League during the WNBA offseason when Russia's invasion of Ukraine forced many WNBA players playing overseas to come home.

Despite being sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian judge on Aug. 4, the United States has managed to negotiate a prisoner swap to bring the 32-year-old home.

For more information on Griner's release, The Sporting News has you covered below.

Brittney Griner's release from Russia, explained

On Thursday, CBS News reported that Griner has been released from Russia in a prisoner swap for convicted international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

"The one-for-one exchange agreement negotiated with Moscow in recent weeks was given final approval by President Biden within just the last week," the CBS report stated.

A White House official confirmed to CBS that President Biden spoke to Griner over the phone in the Oval Office, joined by Griner's wife, Cherelle, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

The swap took place on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates and Griner is reportedly in the custody of the United States.

President Biden on Brittney Griner's release

"I spoke with Brittney Griner. She's safe. She's on a plane. She's on her way home. After months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances, Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along," President Biden said in a press conference, joined by Vice President Harris and Griner's wife, Cherelle.

"Over the last nine months, you all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life and so today, I'm just standing here overwhelmed with emotions but the most important emotion I have right now is sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration," Cherelle said.

"... Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware, there are so many other families who are not whole. BG's not here to say this but I will gladly speak on her behalf and say that BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul (Whelan), whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate BG being home."

Griner's wife was referencing ex-United States Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since December 2018 on suspicion of spying. Whelan's family has issued a statement of support in regard to Griner's release.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's statement on Brittney Griner's release

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's statement on Brittney Griner's release

Why was Brittney Griner detained in Russia?

Griner was playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Premier League during the WNBA offseason when Russia's invasion of Ukraine led many WNBA players playing overseas to come home.

She was detained in Russia after customs service officials found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport. The customs service also released a video of an individual at the airport who appeared to be Griner going through security.

Russian state TV showed a photo of Griner as part of a segment that aired on March 5. The photo was reportedly taken at a Russian police station.

A judge in Russia convicted Griner of drug possession and smuggling on Aug. 4 and sentenced her to nine years in prison, bringing an end to her trial. Prosecutors had asked the court to sentence Griner to nine-and-a-half years in prison, according to The Associated Press.

After Griner's appeal was rejected on Oct. 25, she was transferred to a Russian penal colony, but her Russian legal team didn't know where she was going, according to ESPN. The transfer process reportedly began on Nov. 4. Griner's attorneys and U.S. officials were not aware that Griner had been moved until Nov. 8.

One month later, Griner is coming home to the United States after President Biden reached an agreement with Moscow on the one-for-one exchange for convicted international arms dealer, Viktor Bout.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.