Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James clarifies Brittney Griner comments

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/13/22

LeBron James is having to check himself after comments he made about the effort the U.S. government is making to bring WNBA star Brittney Griner home from Russia.

In a preview of an upcoming episode of "The Shop," James is briefly shown being asked about Griner, who has been in custody in Russia since February.

"Over 110 days, now how could she feel like America has her back?" James said in the clip. "I would be feeling like, 'Do I even want to go back to America?'"

James, who has been a very vocal advocate for bringing Griner home, later added clarity to the clip, saying he wasn't trying to throw shade at the government.

"My comments on 'The Shop' regarding Brittney Griner wasn't knocking our beautiful country," James wrote in a social media post "I was simply saying how she's probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she's been in for over 100+ days!"

My comments on “The Shop” regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country. I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 13, 2022

The White House announced last week that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in contact with Griner's wife and family as part of the ongoing effort to bring the basketball player home.

Griner was arrested in February while going to play for a team in Russia during the WNBA offseason. She is currently standing trial for entering the country with vapor cartridges containing hashish oil.

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