The 31-year-old middle, who has performed in Russia for the final seven years within the winter, was arrested final month at a Moscow airport over vape cartridges and stays the league's solely participant nonetheless within the nation.
WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was arrested final month at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities stated a search of her baggage revealed vape cartridges.
The Russian Customs Service stated Saturday that the cartridges had been recognized as containing oil derived from hashish, which might carry a most penalty of 10 years in jail. The customs service recognized the individual arrested as a participant for the U.S. ladies’s crew and didn't specify the date of her arrest. Russian media reported the participant was Griner, and her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, didn't dispute these studies.
“We're conscious of the state of affairs with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in shut contact along with her, her authorized illustration in Russia, her household, her groups, and the WNBA and NBA,” Kagawa Colas stated Saturday. “As that is an ongoing authorized matter, we aren't in a position to remark additional on the specifics of her case however can verify that as we work to get her dwelling, her psychological and bodily well being stay our major concern.”
On Saturday, the State Division issued a “don't journey” advisory for Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine and urged all U.S. residents to depart instantly, citing elements together with “the potential for harassment in opposition to U.S. residents by Russian authorities safety officers” and “the Embassy’s restricted capability to help” Individuals in Russia.
Griner, who performs for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, has performed in Russia for the final seven years within the winter, incomes over $1 million per season — greater than quadruple her WNBA wage. She final performed for her Russian crew UMMC Ekaterinburg on Jan. 29 earlier than the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.
Greater than a dozen WNBA gamers had been enjoying in Russia and Ukraine this winter, together with league MVP Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley of the champion Chicago Sky. The WNBA confirmed Saturday that every one gamers apart from Griner had left each nations.
The 31-year-old Griner has received two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Mercury and a nationwide championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star.
“Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full assist and our important precedence is her swift and protected return to the USA,” the league stated in a press release.