NBA, WNBA stars react to Brittney Griner's prison sentence: 'Time for a trade with the devil'
Phoenix Mercury All-Star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison Thursday in a Russian court outside Moscow after being found guilty of drug possession and smuggling. The ruling came hours after it was reported that Russian prosecutors were seeking a 9.5-year sentence for the seven-time All-Star, this coming nearly six months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport.
In the immediate aftermath of the sentence being revealed, scores of NBA and WNBA stars took to social media to show their continued support of Griner, who pleaded guilty to the charges in July. The guilty plea was expected, as it would likely be a requirement of any prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia.
Hall of Fame NBA coach George Karl was among the notable names to address the potential upcoming negotiations between the U.S. and Russian government.
Two-time WNBA All-Stars Arike Ogunbowale and Kahleah Copper (the 2021 Finals MVP) also weighed in on the news, as did NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert also released a joint statement on Thursday afternoon.
In early May, the U.S. government declared that Griner was being wrongfully detained. Last week, it was revealed the Biden administration offered a deal to the Russian government for the release of Griner, a trade that includes bringing the 31-year-old and another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, back to the states in exchange for releasing a Russian arms trafficker currently serving jail time in the U.S.
More must-reads:
- WNBA star Brittney Griner convicted in Russia, sentenced to nine years in prison
- Adam Silver And WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Release Joint Statement After Brittney Griner's 9-Year Sentence: "It Is Our Hope That We Are Near The End Of This Process Of Finally Bringing BG Home..."
- The 'MLB Rookies of the Year' quiz