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.
American professional basketball player Brittney Griner waves to fans as she looks on the 16th hole during the third round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament, Saturday, February 11, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
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.
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted from the courtroom after a hearing, in Khimki, outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, August 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko.)
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.»
Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner (42) is congratulated on a play against the Seattle Storm in the first half of the second round of the WNBA basketball playoffs on Sunday, September 26, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Griner, who was a free agent, re-signed with Mercury on a one-year deal, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Saturday, February 18, 2023, because no announcement has been made. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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.