Brittney Griner was a former WNBA player who pleaded guilty in drug smuggling cases. She was arrested in Russia in 2016 and later sentenced to nine years in prison. Before she became famous, Griner was a high school star who led the United States women's basketball team to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Griner's story is not perfect, but Griner made a wise decision and is already in prison.
WNBA player brittney griner pleaded guilty drug smuggling
The WNBA player, who was detained in February, pleaded guilty. She was sentenced for three years and will serve the remainder of her sentence in Russian prison. Griner admitted she was involved in the smuggling of drugs, but claimed she did not intend to violate the law.
She was held in Russia in 2016
Griner, despite her international fame and notoriety, has not been silenced. While Griner's supporters are calling for her release her husband, and their team, have kept silent. In a statement, they claimed they didn't have any political knowledge of Griner’s arrest. Russian government has a strong anti-drug culture. Griner was arrested, which has made her very embarrassed, and the WNBA didn't do anything to support her.
She led the United States women’s basketball team to victory at Rio Olympics.
Griner, despite her young age has won many gold medals. Griner was part of the USA women’s basketball team that beat Spain 101-72 in Rio de Janeiro. In 2011, she won a FIBA World Cup gold medal. She has received numerous international and national honors since, including the All-Tournament Team award and the Most Valuable Player award in the Gold Medal Game.
She was sentenced at the age of nine to prison
The U.S. government has declared Griner a "wrongful detainee" and is working to get her back. Bill Richardson, an ex-ambassador of the United States to the United Nations was assigned to assist. Richardson has extensive experience as a hostage negotiator, and will immediately begin working to get Griner back. Griner was taken into the custody of a consular official on May 19, and that officer reported that Griner was doing well in difficult circumstances. The State Department is now seeking more access to Griner to ensure that she is treated with the respect she deserves and that her rights are respected.
Her fate now rests on diplomatic talks between Russia and the U.S.
Griner is still being held as of Thursday while her family attempts to arrange an exchange. Diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Russia have been ongoing since June. The Russian legal action against Griner is considered irrelevant domestically, but is not likely to stop her from seeking a presidential pardon. In the meantime, Griner's fate is largely in the hands of the Russian government.