US State Department Discourages Dennis Rodman From Going to Russia to Seek Brittney Griner’s Release, Says Former Hooper Could “Complicate” Efforts

The US State Department is not here for former NBA star Dennis Rodman going to Russia to try to free Brittney Griner.

“We put forward a substantial proposal to Russia to seek the freedom of Paul Whelan or Brittney Griner,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters Monday.

“We believe that anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to complicate and hinder those release efforts,” he added.

Price also made it clear that Rodman would not be traveling on the behalf of the US government if he were to go to Russia.

This past weekend, the former Chicago Bull told NBC News that he planned to go to Russia to seek Griner’s freedom.

“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told the outlet. “I’m trying to go this week.”

Griner is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to drug smuggling charges. Earlier this year, the WNBA player was arrested at a Moscow airport after authorities found canisters with cannabis oil in her bag. She has been adamant that the banned substances were not intentionally packed.

The US has since declared Griner as wrongfully detained.