Nearly two years after being detained and arrested in Russia on drug smuggling charges, Brittney Griner is ready to tell her story.
The Phoenix Mercury star, who spent 10 months in Russian detainment before returning to the United States in December 2022, announced the release date of her memoir titled, “COMING HOME,” in an Instagram post Tuesday.
“COMING HOME: May 7, 2024,” Griner wrote. “COMING HOME is a story of hope and survival, of before and after. Before, on my way to Russia, a place I’ve called my second home, I was excited to win another title. For eight seasons I played there, won there, and lived there for long stretches. A short time later and a world away, I woke up in an after I’d wish on no one.
“COMING HOME begins in a land where my roots developed and is the diary of my heartaches and regrets. But, ultimately, the book is also a story of how my family, my faith, and the support of millions who rallied for my rescue helped me endure a nightmare.”
The memoir, available on May 7, is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Bookshop.org, Hudson Booksellers, Powell’s, Target and Walmart.
Brittney Griner ready to tell story after being detained in Russia for 10 months
Griner, 33, was arrested at a Moscow airport in February 2022 while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason. According to Russian authorities, Griner was in possession of vape cartridges which contained oil derived from cannabis. The infraction is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The United States State Department said in May 2022 that Griner had been “wrongfully detained,” and immediately began the process of negotiating her release.
That September, Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined 1 million rubles ($16,400). Three months later, Griner returned home after President Joe Biden organized a one-on-one prisoner swap, sending convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout back to Russia.
“These past few months have been hell for Brittney and Cherelle,” Biden said at the time, via Us Weekly. “People all across the country have learned about Brittney’s story and advocated for her release. And stood with her throughout this terrible ordeal, and I know that support meant a lot to her family. I’m glad to be able to say that Brittney is in good spirits and relieved to finally be heading home.”
Griner suited up in 31 games for the Mercury in 2023, making her eighth All-Star game. She posted averages of 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. The Mercury finished the season 9-31, last in the Western Conference.
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