Brittney Griner honored to be wearing a USA Basketball jersey again after time in Russian prison

PHOENIX (AP) — There were times Brittney Griner thought she would never wear a USA Basketball jersey again.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist was sitting in a Russian prison in 2022, sentenced to nine years in jail for drug possession and smuggling. Playing for her country again was a far-fetched idea at that point. Ten months later she was free after a high-profile prisoner exchange.

Now, 19 months later, she’s suiting up for the U.S. in the Paris Games — her first trip to play overseas since returning from Russia.


Griner, wearing her No. 15 USA jersey before the team played at the All-Star Game on Saturday, said she gets chills now just putting it on.



https://www.wwlp.com/sports/ap-brittney-griner-honored-to-be-wearing-a-usa-basketball-jersey-again-after-time-in-russian-prison/