Up Next
Brittney Griner ‘blessed’ to return to Europe for Olympics
Despite 10-month detainment in Russia in 2022, the 10-time WNBA All-Star is excited to go abroad to represent USA Basketball
Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.
Brittany Griner is back in Europe for the first time since being detained in Russia. But this time with USA Basketball’s women’s national team, she feels safe with her sisters and she is focused on a joyful challenge: Winning an Olympic gold medal in Paris.
“The strength in numbers, what we’re playing for, the standard, everybody that’s came before us,” said Griner, during WNBA All-Star Media Day July 19 in Phoenix, on what brings her comfort to return to Europe. “Everything else kind of just blurs out. I got my eyes on the gold, being on that podium and I want to feel that feeling again.
“A lot of people don’t get to feel that feeling. And I’m lucky and blessed to be able to be in this position. That is what is driving me right now.”
On Dec. 8, 2022, the Phoenix Mercury center was released after 10 months in Russian captivity after having been exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. She was arrested Feb. 17, 2022, for bringing vape cartridges of cannabis into Russia. At the time of Griner’s arrest, it caused diplomatic fireworks between Russia and the United States as the latter was involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Griner talked in detail about her detainment in Russia in her memoir, “Coming Home.” Written with Michelle Burford and released in May, Griner hopes that her book can help bring more awareness to Americans who are detained abroad.
“Honestly, I hope when people read that book they get a little bit more insight on what happened, what is going on,” Griner said. “Hopefully, they will look up and see who from their area, their state is detained and away from her family… Being away from my family like that, being away from my country like that, going through the foolishness that we went through, that is not right. Hopefully, it will bring more awareness.”
Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images
In regard to her mental health, Griner said she still is receiving counseling and encouraged people in need to get help.
“Just having really good people around me, people that understand me, know me and see the signs that I might be wavering,” Griner said about the importance of receiving counseling. “And not being scared to seek counseling. I think more people should do it. It’s a resource that is there for us. I feel like everyone should have someone to talk to. Sometimes it hard to talk to family members and friends because sometimes you feel like there is a bias there.
“When you have a counselor, there is no bias. They are there for you to make sure that you’re great. I still use it to this day. Even though I’m in a good place, I still use it.”
Griner told ESPN’s Stan Verrett on SportsCenter last week that she had not left the United States since returning from her real-life nightmare in Russia. Griner, however, left for London following USA Basketball’s 117-109 loss to Team WNBA in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday night in Phoenix. Griner had 10 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.
USA next plays against Germany in an exhibition game in London on Tuesday before departing to Paris. Griner said she didn’t have anxiety making this trip.
“I’m excited actually to go. My overseas career didn’t really end the way I wanted it to. So, this is a way for me to do that on my own terms,” Griner said before the trip.
USA Basketball guard Jewell Loyd told Andscape it means a lot that her “big sis” in Griner is on the team after her ordeal in Russia.
“We always want to make this group in this setting to feel at home in a safe space,” Loyd said. “And she knows that we always have her back. We always will. And regardless of what happens [in the Olympics], we want to make sure that we have everyone’s back. And so, the fact that she’s allowing us to go on this journey with her, that is something that’s not easy to do.
“It means a lot. And she has been a big sis for so many years. So, to be in this atmosphere with her on this journey, it means a lot. I can’t even imagine all the things that she’s feeling. And our goal is to make sure this is a great year for all of us.”
Griner has been playing with USA Basketball since 2011, joining the women’s national team while starring in college at Baylor. The 33-year-old has won gold medals with USA during the 2020 Olympics, 2018 FIBA World Cup, 2016 Olympics and 2014 FIBA World Cup. She also had pride in being American instilled in her from her father. Brittney Griner is the daughter of Raymond Griner, a two-tour Vietnam War veteran.
But after being detained in Russia, winning a gold medal for USA would have much more sentimental meaning for Griner.
“It always meant everything to me,” Griner said. “My dad fought for our country. He is a Marine… So, it’s always been something that we’ve always cherished, but now even more so. My country really saved my life and I’m able to represent them again and it just means so much more.”