Brittney Griner: Photos of the WNBA Star Who Was Freed From Prison

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September 7, 2023 12:45PM EDT

Brittney Griner was freed from prison after being sentenced to nine years in 2022. See photos of the WNBA superstar here.

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Brittney Griner: Photos Of The Olympic Basketball Player

Brittney Griner: Photos Of The Olympic Basketball Player — W.N.B.A. superstar Brittney Griner is back in the US after being sentenced to 9 years prison in Russia. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, 31, was arrested at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow in Feb 2022 after Russian customs officials found marijuana vape cartridges in her luggage, according to the New York Times. Britney’s detention was not made public until months later.

On July 4, 2022, the basketball star made a plea directly to President Biden via a handwritten letter. In it, she wrote that she was ‘terrified’ she would never leave Russian custody. On Jul. 7, 2022, Britney plead guilty to drug charges. She said she had ‘no intent’ to break the law during the hearing.

She was subsequently sentenced to 9 years of hard labor. In Dec. 2022, Brittney was released in a prisoner swap. President Biden confirmed her release, tweeting, “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.” She touched down in Texas on Dec. 9, 2022.

Brittney is seen here at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. Click through to see photos of the basketball legend here.

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Brittney Griner at the 2023 Met Gala

Brittney Griner at the 2023 Met Gala — Brittney Griner rocked this Calvin Klein suit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of the Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty exhibition in New York City on May 1, 2023.

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Brittney Griner & Gayle King

Brittney Griner & Gayle King — Gayle King (left) and Brittney Griner (right) posed together on the red carpet at the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington DC on April 29, 2023.

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Brittney Griner Comes Home

Brittney Griner Comes Home — Brittney Griner beamed while being sent home from Russia on Dec. 8, 2022, after months of detention. She was exchanged with arms dealer Viktor Bout in a prisoner swap.

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Brittney Griner Touches Down In Texas

Brittney Griner Touches Down In Texas — Brittney Griner deplanes at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas on Dec. 9, 2022, following her release by Russia. The White House National Security Council Communications Coordinator said Brittney was in “very good spirits” as she arrived home.

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Brittney Griner Virtually Watches Her Appeal Hearing

Brittney Griner Virtually Watches Her Appeal Hearing — Brittney Griner was shown in her cell on a screen in court during the appeal hearing on Tuesday, October 25. Brittney’s appeal was rejected by the court.

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Brittney Griner In A Holding Cell

Brittney Griner In A Holding Cell — U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner stands inside the defendant’s cage during a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on Aug. 4, 2022. President Joe Biden has vowed to return her home.

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Brittney Griner Is Setenced

Brittney Griner Is Setenced — Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing in Khimki City Court outside Moscow, Russia on Aug. 4, 2022. She was sentenced to 9 years in prison.

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Brittney Griner Shows Photo From Her Cell

Brittney Griner Shows Photo From Her Cell — Brittney Griner showed photos of herself with her wife from her cell in Russia. She wished her wife luck on the bar exam while in the midst of her trial.

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Brittney Griner Looks Terrified In Court

Brittney Griner Looks Terrified In Court — Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia on Jun. 27, 2022. Little happened during the preliminary trial, but Brittney was clearly in a state of shock.

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Brittney Griner In Handcuffs

Brittney Griner In Handcuffs — Brittney Griner is escorted by Russian authorities in handcuffs. This was before her Jul. 7 guilty plea.

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Brittney Griner Detained In Russia

Brittney Griner Detained In Russia — Brittney Griner leaves a courtroom after a hearing just outside Moscow, Russia on May 13, 2022. She learned that her detention over drug charges would be extended for another month. She faces up to ten years in prison for the charges.

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Brittney Griner At The Olympic Games 2020

Brittney Griner At The Olympic Games 2020 — Brittney Griner is seen at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. The team would go on to win the gold.

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Brittney Griner Plays In The Tokyo Olympics

Brittney Griner Plays In The Tokyo Olympics — Brittney Griner joins teammates at the Tokyo Olympic games. She played as a center for the superstar team.

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Brittney Griner Receives A Gold Medal At The Toyko Olympics

Brittney Griner Receives A Gold Medal At The Toyko Olympics — Brittney Griner of the United States women’s basketball team has her gold medal put on by A’Ja Wilson during the awards ceremony. The team beat Japan at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, August 8, 2021.

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Brittney Griner Posts Up At The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Brittney Griner Posts Up At The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games — Brittney Griner of the USA posts up at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The team would be top champions at the Summer Games.

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