Brittney Griner is back in a Phoenix Mercury uniform more than two months after returning from imprisonment in Russia.
Griner officially re-signed with the only WNBA team she’s met this week, reportedly on a one-year contract with Phoenix worth $165,100.
On Friday, the franchise posted a video of Griner in a Mercury uniform for the first time since signing.
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Griner, who passed 10 months in Russian custody after authorities allegedly discovered she had vape canisters laced with cannabis oil in her luggage, she’s returning for her tenth WNBA season.
The WNBA champion was arrested in February 2022 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and was later classified as «wrongfully detained» by the US Department of State.
After months of tense negotiations, Griner was released from a Russian penal colony in early December. in a prisoner exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
On Thursday, Griner participated in a workout at the team facility when Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton came out to watch.
«It’s unreal,» Ayton said, according to the Arizona Republic. «Just looking at her and seeing the reactions on her face. She’s just back and trying to get back into shape and just loving the game that she loves to play. She shows that her mind is free.»
Griner was selected by Phoenix with the first pick of the 2013 draft, helping Mercury win the WNBA championship in 2014.
Phoenix opens the 2023 season on May 19 against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.