By: Eric Wang
On August 4th, Brittney Griner was convicted of smuggling drugs and sentenced to 9 years in a Russian penal colony. Halfway around the world, Griner’s team had to play against the Connecticut Sun.
Though the game was almost starting and everyone was supposed to be doing pregame shoot-arounds, the Mercury players were in their locker room, glued to the television watching the trial of their star teammate Griner. Guard Diamond DeShields said, “It was like you’re waiting for a bomb to drop.”
Despite pleading with the court to not “end her life” and that it was an “honest mistake,” Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony and fined 1 million roubles, or $16,482. Though this would open up the possibility of a prisoner swap to bring her home, this news was still heartbreaking to the team.
Even worse, the Phoenix Mercury still had to play amid this devastating news. Mercury guard Skylar Diggins-Smith said after the game, “Nobody even wanted to play today. How are we even supposed to approach the game and approach the court with a clear mind when the whole group is crying before the game?”
Everyone was showing their support. Moments before tipoff, the lights dimmed for 42 seconds, the number on Griner’s jersey and players, coaches, and referees locked arms in a moment of solidarity for the player trapped 10 thousand miles away. Fans wore purple jerseys with the number 42 and chanted “We are B.G.” and “Bring her home!”Arena staff members and Connecticut Sun dancers wore “We are B.G.” T-shirts and Connecticut Sun point guard Jasmine Thomas, who was out due to an injury, wore a hooded sweatshirt with a picture of Griner.
Griner was detained on February 17 after Russian officials found hashish oil in her luggage. She was in Russia to play for UMMC Yekaterinburg, a professional women’s basketball team in Russia. In May, the US State Department determined that Griner had been wrongfully detained and would work to free her. She was convicted on August 4.
However, things are looking up for her. The US has offered to exchange her and Paul Whelan, a former Marine also trapped in Russia, for Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer. While Russia has since suggested that the exchange was possible, they have insisted the legal process be completed first. Plus, Mrs. Griner’s lawyers have said they will appeal the sentence, which would delay Griner’s start in a penal colony.
As all the fans and players hope for her safe return, the US government and her lawyers are battling for some kind of negotiations to bring Griner home. The entire WBNA and its fans are all backing and rooting for Griner.
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