'I was just so scared': WNBA star Brittney Griner reflects on her horrifying experiences in Russian prison

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: During a recent interview, WNBA star Brittney Griner, aged 33, recounted her experiences of being detained in Russian prisons.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who is expecting her first child with wife Cherelle, is set to release her memoir 'Coming Home' on May 7. The book will detail the ordeals she faced during the detention.

She was released from the overseas prison in December 2022 following a prisoner swap. The Russian authorities exchanged the nine-time WNBA All-Star player for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Brittney Griner opens up about her prison experience

Griner recently recounted her experience during an interview with 'Good Morning America,' scheduled to be broadcast on May 1st. She reflected on her challenging time spent in a Russian prison, per ABC.

On February 17, 2022, the basketball star who plays for Phoenix Mercury, was detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki. She was arrested for possessing vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia.

During the interview with 'GMA' co-anchor Robin Roberts, Griner described her state of mind while detained, saying, "I was overwhelmed with fear because of the uncertainty surrounding everything."

Reflecting on her initial reaction upon realizing she was being detained for possession of cannabis oil, Griner expressed, "In that moment, I felt like my life was coming to an end."

The case further unfolded in July when she pleaded guilty to drug charges, stating that she unintentionally left the hashish oil in her luggage. Griner was traveling to Russia to play during the WNBA's off-season.

She further testified in the court that she had “no intention” of breaking the law of the country.

Nevertheless, the US determined her case to be one of "wrongful detention" and advocated for her release.

Several NBA and WNBA athletes and officials also rallied for her release, repeatedly urging the government to facilitate her freedom.

Griner was initially sentenced to serve nine years in prison, and a judge rejected her appeal for release on October 25, 2022.

In accordance with her prison sentence, Griner was sent to serve in a facility in the Russian region of Mordovia.

In the interview, Griner shared her experience in the prison and said, “The mattress had a huge blood stain on it. I had no soap, no toilet paper. That was the moment where I just felt less than a human.”

The overall first pick of the 2013 WNBA draft further shared that in her despair, she also had suicidal thoughts.

Griner shared, “I just didn't think I could get through what I needed to get through.”

Thankfully, her harrowing ordeal came to an end when the US agreed to repatriate her in exchange for the convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. She was released from the Russian prison on December 8, 2022.

Brittney Griner is releasing her book

Brittney Griner's book 'Coming Home' is releasing on May 7, 2024. Describing her book, she wrote on her Instagram, "COMING HOME is a story of hope and survival, of before and after. Before, on my way to Russia, a place I’ve called my second home, I was excited to win another title."

The athlete continued, "For eight seasons I played there, won there, and lived there for long stretches. A short time later and a world away, I woke up in a situation I’d wish on no one."

"COMING HOME begins in a land where my roots developed and is the diary of my heartaches and regrets. But, ultimately, the book is also a story of how my family, my faith, and the support of millions who rallied for my rescue helped me endure a nightmare," wrote Griner.