Brittney Griner’s Welcome Home Celebration Exclusive – Hollywood Life

Image Credit: EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/REUTERS POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

GRINER Brittney (USA), United States vs Japan - Gold Medal Game Basketball: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, Tokyo, Japan - 08 Aug 2021 — Image Credit: EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/REUTERS POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

After Brittney Griner touched down in San Antonio on Dec. 9, 2022, following her launch from a Russian jail, questions stay about how she’s going to have fun her newfound freedom. With 294 days spent in a Moscow detention middle for being discovered responsible on drug smuggling costs, there’s little question the athlete will wish to mark the event with household and mates, together with her WNBA workforce, the Phoenix Mercury. Bryce Marsee, the Manager of Basketball Communications for Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury, EXCLUSIVELY instructed HollywoodLife that the group is able to make it occur.

Brittney Griner will obtain a welcome dwelling ‘she deserves,’ per a Phoenix Mercury spokesperson. (EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/REUTERS POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

“We will follow Brittney’s lead on when and how she is officially welcomed back by fans, media, and our organization,” Marsee defined. “Rest assured, when the time is right, she’ll receive the celebration she deserves.”

As for Brittney’s return to the basketball courtroom, Marsee stated there could also be extra necessary issues to concentrate on now after the 32-year-old’s grueling ordeal. “Our focus is on Brittney’s mental and physical health after what she has been through the last nine months,” he stated. “We know she loves basketball and it’s one of the things that has been taken away from her, but at this time that is not the main priority.”

On Thursday, President Joe Biden introduced the discharge of Brittney, who was reportedly freed in alternate for Russian arms seller Viktor Bout. Bout, who had been arrested in 2008 for conspiring to kill Americans, had served 10 years of a 25-year sentence. Biden additionally confirmed Brittney’s protected launch on Twitter. “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner,” he wrote. “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.” Brittney’s spouse, Cherelle Griner, was with the President, because the prisoner launch was confirmed.

Brittney was initially arrested in March when she arrived at a Moscow airport with marijuana vape cartridges in her baggage. After pleading responsible in July 2022, she was sentenced to 9 years in jail. Her arrest got here as Russia started its battle in opposition to Ukraine, and plenty of imagine the athlete’s detention was being utilized by the Kremlin for political positive factors.