Brittney Griner has been named an honorary WNBA All-Star Game starter.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the decision to choose Griner, 31, as a WNBA All-Star starter, AP News reports.
“During each season of Brittney’s career in which there has been an All-Star Game, she has been selected as an All-Star,” Engelbert said. “It is not difficult to imagine that if BG were here with us this season, she would once again be selected and would, no doubt, show off her incredible talents. So, it is only fitting that she be named as an honorary starter today and we continue to work on her safe return to the U.S.”
The All-Star starters were voted on by fans, media and a body of voting players. Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson were selected as co-captains, the news outlet reports.
Griner has been detained in Russia since the middle of February for allegedly having vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil in her bag outside of a Moscow airport. Since being in Russia’s custody, the State Department has categorized her detainment as wrongful.
Her detention in Russia has been extended until at least July 2, AP News reports.
