Brittney Griner detained in Russia as Mercury opens season
PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Mercury opened the season at home Friday night against the Las Vegas Aces. One player not there was prominently on everyone's minds: Brittney Griner.
As the Mercury and the rest of the WNBA moved forward into the season, Griner nears the threemonth mark of her detention in Russia, with no timetable for her release.
“It's horrible what happened to her, knowing as well as us fans have gotten to know here,” said MJ Hill, a Mercury season-ticket holder since the WNBA's first season in 1997. “She's a kind and gentle person, and it's horrible to think about where she is and what she's going to.”
Griner was detained Feb. 17 after authorities at the Moscow airport said they found vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis in her luggage, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The Biden administration determined Griner is being wrongfully detained and she has a hearing set for May 19.
“There is not a day that goes by that I’m not working on this in some way, talking with a variety of folks at the U.S. government, her agent, family, others who are experts in this area who can help us navigate a very complex and quite frankly, like I said at our draft, unimaginable situation," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in Seattle.
The WNBA is acknowledging Griner with a floor decal with “BG” and her No. 42 in all 12 arenas across the league as she continues to be detained.
“We all have concern for the situation, something that normally would be handled a lot quicker,” Washington coach Mike Thibault said. ”(It) certainly hasn’t been and I think everybody sees what’s happening. She’s in everybody’s thoughts.”
Mercury players wore black t-shirts with “We Are BG” in white letters during warm-ups and introductions. Guard Sophie Cunningham addressed the crowd before the game against Las Vegas.
A 6-foot-9 center, Griner and WNBA career scoring leader Diana Taurasi have been the key cogs for a Mercury franchise that won the 2014 WNBA title and reached the final last season, losing to the Chicago Sky.