Former Baylor star Griner released from Russian prison

Brittney Griner, former Baylor University basketball star and two-time Olympic gold medalist for Team USA, was released Dec. 8 after nearly 10 months imprisoned in Russia.

“She’s safe. She’s on a plane. She’s on her way home,” President Joe Biden announced Thursday morning. “After months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances, Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones, and she should have been there all along.”

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted from a courtroom after a hearing in Khimki just outside Moscow, on Aug. 4, 2022. Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Griner—who plays center for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA— was arrested in February at an airport in Moscow when officials discovered vape canisters and a small quantity of cannabis oil in her luggage.

She received a nine-year prison sentence for smuggling illegal drugs and was transferred from a detention center to a labor camp on Nov. 4.

The United States secured Griner’s release in a one-for-one prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed “the Merchant of Death.”

Griner was flown to Kelly Field in San Antonio and transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center for a health evaluation.

‘Praise God this day has finally come’

Baylor University President Linda Livingstone and Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades issued a joint statement on social media celebrating Griner’s release.

“Brittney Griver is a member of our Baylor Family, and we are extremely grateful that she is on her way back home to the United States. We praise God this day has finally come,” the university tweeted.

“Our hearts go out to Brittney and her family as they have endured months of separation, and we continue to pray as she recovers from this incredibly challenging time.

“While we celebrate Brittney’s release, our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to fellow American Paul Whelan and his family, as well as all Americans unjustly imprisoned overseas—that they will be freed and can return home safely and promptly.”

Whelan is a former U.S. Marine who was arrested in Russia in December 2018. In June 2020, he received a 16-year prison sentence for spying, a crime he said never occurred.

A “service of celebration” for Griner’s return and “vigil of hope” for the return of Whelan and other prisoners is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 19 at University Baptist Church in Waco.

Nicki Collen, head coach of Baylor women’s basketball, tweeted: “After nearly ten months, we are thrilled and relieved to hear the long-awaited news of BG’s return. Today is the day we’ve been praying for, and we will continue to pray as she reunites with her family and begins recovering from her experience.”

Under former head coach Kim Mulkey, Griner led the Baylor women’s basketball team to a 40-0 record and NCAA championship in 2012. During Griner’s time at Baylor, the women’s team compiled a 135-15 record.