NBA, WNBA stars react to Griner's prison sentence

Brittney Griner is escorted for the verdict announcement at the Khimki Municipal Court in the town of Khimki, northeast of Moscow. Griner was found guilty of smuggling and possession of drugs and sentenced to nine years in prison. TASS

NBA, WNBA stars react to Brittney Griner's prison sentence: 'Time for a trade with the devil'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/4/22

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.

Horrible news re Brittney. Time for a trade with the devil.
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) August 4, 2022

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.

Can’t just play with people’s lives like that. Sickening. Lord, cover Brittney & her family. FREE BG ‼️
— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) August 4, 2022

FREE BG!!!!!!!!
— Kahleah Copper (@kahleahcopper) August 4, 2022

Smh 9 Years…. Free BG
— 13am Adebayo (@Bam1of1) August 4, 2022

https://t.co/zGFeJAdxhV
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) August 4, 2022

What is truly happening with our Queen @brittneygriner @POTUS @VP ? Please give us an Update.
— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) August 4, 2022

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert also released a joint statement on Thursday afternoon.

WNBA and @NBA statement regarding Brittney Griner ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/jlQlVS3ZtL
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 4, 2022

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.

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