On Thursday, multiple reports indicated that Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was released from prison in Russia in exchange for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who was imprisoned in American prison.
Griner’s release comes after she was arrested and convicted in Russia for drug smuggling. To be clear, she only brought vape cartridges of hashish oil, and a very small amount, two grams total. Griner was ultimately sentenced to nine years in prison.
The 2022 WNBA season was dedicated to Griner where players and other officials advocated for her release, including the Washington Mystics.