As an alternative of being a part of the opening lineup, Brittney Griner's initials and jersey quantity can be emblazoned on the hardwood by all 12 WNBA groups because the league formally ideas off Friday night time.
"I want she was right here bodily," Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley mentioned.
The WNBA all-star and Phoenix Mercury heart has been held in Russia since her arrest at a Moscow airport in mid-February. Russian officers claimed Griner's baggage contained vape cartridges with oil derived from hashish.
Quigley and Chicago Sky level guard Courtney Vandersloot each performed with Griner in the course of the WNBA offseason in Russia earlier than her arrest.
"We had been clearly there when it occurred and it may have been any of us," Vandersloot mentioned.
Griner's spouse, Cherelle, posted a video of her hugging Griner with the caption "It is GAME DAY!" whereas a wave of social media tributes have poured in with the hashtag, "We're BG."
Former U.N. ambassador Invoice Richardson is aiding Griner's household to assist safe her return, CBS Information has realized. The State Division signaled a extra aggressive posture this week in her case.
"We now think about Brittney Griner to be a case of wrongful detention," State Division spokesman Ned Value mentioned earlier this week.
Terri Jackson, the manager director of the WNBA Gamers Affiliation, advised CBS Information she hopes Griner can be dwelling earlier than the season ends and mentioned most of the gamers have been writing letters to her.
Griner's subsequent courtroom look is predicted to be Might 19.