Who Is Brittney Griner? 5 Things to Know About the WNBA Star Detained in Russia

Credit: DPPI/Ann-dee Lamour/LiveMedia/Shutterstock

Who Is Brittney Griner? 5 Things to Know About the WNBA Star Detained in Russia

Brittney Griner has been a basketball phenom for more than a decade, but she's currently in the spotlight for a very different reason. The Texas native, 31, was detained in Russia after a drug-sniffing dog at an airport near Moscow allegedly found hashish oil in her luggage. The Russian Federal Customs Service announced Griner's detention on Saturday, March 5, but the airport screening occurred in February, meaning that the athlete could have already been in detention for several days. Her whereabouts within the country are currently unknown. Tensions between the United States and Russia are at a historic high right now because of Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in late February. The situation has led observers to wonder if the basketball player's detention is an attempt to retaliate against the U.S., which has led efforts to impose sanctions on Russia amid the conflict. "My heart, our hearts, are all skipping beats every day that goes by without hearing from you," the Phoenix Mercury center's wife, Cherelle Griner, wrote via Instagram on Monday, March 7. "I miss your voice. I miss your presence. You're our person! There are no words to express this pain. I'm hurting, we're hurting. We await the day to love on you as a family." [jwplayer RksPmlR9-zhNYySv2] After Russia confirmed Brittney's arrest, the Mercury said that the team is "closely monitoring" her situation. “We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA," the organization added in a statement on Saturday. "We love and support Britney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health and her safe return home.” Russia's customs service has indicated that it may pursue serious charges against the Olympic gold medalist for "large-scale transportation of drugs," which could carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Texas Representative Joaquin Castro called Brittney's detention part of "a pattern of Russia wrongly detaining & imprisoning US citizens" in a tweet on Saturday, citing former marine Trevor Reed as an example. Reed has been detained in the country for more than two and a half years on charges that American officials claim were fabricated by Russia to use him as a bargaining chip in negotiations. “US citizens are not political pawns," Castro added. "Brittney, Trevor, and other Americans must be safely returned.” Though little is known about Brittney's detention, fans are concerned that she may have been in custody longer than Russian customs has indicated. Her last social media post was an Instagram photo shared on February 5. "Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated," Cherelle wrote via Instagram on Saturday. "I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life." Keep scrolling for five things to know about the seven-time WNBA All-Star: [podcast_block]

Credit: DPPI/Ann-dee Lamour/LiveMedia/Shutterstock

Who Is Brittney Griner? 5 Things to Know About the WNBA Star Detained in Russia

Brittney Griner has been a basketball phenom for more than a decade, but she's currently in the spotlight for a very different reason. The Texas native, 31, was detained in Russia after a drug-sniffing dog at an airport near Moscow allegedly found hashish oil in her luggage. The Russian Federal Customs Service announced Griner's detention on Saturday, March 5, but the airport screening occurred in February, meaning that the athlete could have already been in detention for several days. Her whereabouts within the country are currently unknown. Tensions between the United States and Russia are at a historic high right now because of Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in late February. The situation has led observers to wonder if the basketball player's detention is an attempt to retaliate against the U.S., which has led efforts to impose sanctions on Russia amid the conflict. "My heart, our hearts, are all skipping beats every day that goes by without hearing from you," the Phoenix Mercury center's wife, Cherelle Griner, wrote via Instagram on Monday, March 7. "I miss your voice. I miss your presence. You're our person! There are no words to express this pain. I'm hurting, we're hurting. We await the day to love on you as a family." [jwplayer RksPmlR9-zhNYySv2] After Russia confirmed Brittney's arrest, the Mercury said that the team is "closely monitoring" her situation. “We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA," the organization added in a statement on Saturday. "We love and support Britney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health and her safe return home.” Russia's customs service has indicated that it may pursue serious charges against the Olympic gold medalist for "large-scale transportation of drugs," which could carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Texas Representative Joaquin Castro called Brittney's detention part of "a pattern of Russia wrongly detaining & imprisoning US citizens" in a tweet on Saturday, citing former marine Trevor Reed as an example. Reed has been detained in the country for more than two and a half years on charges that American officials claim were fabricated by Russia to use him as a bargaining chip in negotiations. “US citizens are not political pawns," Castro added. "Brittney, Trevor, and other Americans must be safely returned.” Though little is known about Brittney's detention, fans are concerned that she may have been in custody longer than Russian customs has indicated. Her last social media post was an Instagram photo shared on February 5. "Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated," Cherelle wrote via Instagram on Saturday. "I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life." Keep scrolling for five things to know about the seven-time WNBA All-Star: [podcast_block]

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1. Her College Career Is Legendary

Brittney attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she played for the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team. In her freshman year, she set the all-time single-season record for blocked shots, and she became only the seventh player to dunk during a women's college basketball game. She helped lead Baylor to an NCAA championship victory in 2012 and was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player that year.

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2. She's a 2-Time Olympic Champion

The WNBA star played on the U.S. women's basketball team at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, winning gold both times. She was also part of the gold medal–winning U.S. team at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

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3. She's a Mom

Brittney shares 6-year-old twins Ava and Solei with ex-wife Glory Johnson, who is also a basketball player. The former spouses finalized their divorce in June 2016.  

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4. She's a WNBA Champion

The ESPY winner has spent her entire WNBA career with the Mercury, which drafted her in 2013 as the No. 1 overall pick. In her second season, the team won the 2014 WNBA championship. During the playoffs that year, she became the first WNBA player to dunk in a playoff game.

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5. She Plays in Russia During the WNBA's Off-Season

Like many WNBA players, Brittney plays for teams in other countries during the off-season to supplement her income and stay in shape. She has played for Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg since 2014. The team's current roster also includes WNBA heavyweights Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, Jonquel Jones and Allie Quigley. Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Candace Parker and Maya Moore have also played for UMMC Ekaterinburg, which has won four EuroLeague Women's championships since Brittney joined the team.