Brittney Griner Shares Public Statement for the First Time, and Plans on Competing this WNBA Season

A little over a week ago, Brittney Griner was released from Russian detention and returned home. In her first public statement, the WNBA superstar shared an Instagram post and opened up about her return, as well as her intention to compete next season.

“I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon. 

When news broke of the eight-time All-Star’s freedom, the basketball community rejoiced and sent all BG their best wishes and celebrations.

Griner thanked her family, friends, supporters, and her faith for “keeping her going” during her wrongful detainment in Russia.

“I am grateful to each person who advocated for me, especially my wife, Cherelle Griner, my family, Lindsay Kagawa Colas and Casey Wasserman and my whole team at Wasserman, Vince Kozar and the Phoenix Mercury, the players of the WNBA, and my entire WNBA family, Terri Jackson and the WNBPA staff, my Russian legal team Maria Blagovolina and Alex Boykov, the leaders, activists, and grassroots organizations, Gov. Richardson and Mickey Bergman of the Richardson Center, the Bring Our Families Home Campaign, Roger Carstens and the SPEHA team, and of course, a special thank you to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken and the entire Biden-Harris Administration,” she wrote.

Griner’s full statement is below.