LeBron James recently shared his outlook on the Brittney Griner situation and says if he were her, he would question returning to the U.S.
By now, we all know the WNBA star is in a terrible situation that has lasted way too long. Griner was arrested in a Russian airport near Moscow in mid-February on allegations that Russian authorities found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her bag.
She has been held in captivity ever since.
Bron made the comments during a recent taping of “The Shop” and according to the shower trailer that was released the conversation apparently turned to the incarcerated athlete.
“Now, how can she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even want to go back to America?'”
James doesn’t feel as if the U.S. is doing enough to bring Griner home. Despite her case being covered in America, and across the world.
After the clip went viral, James clarified his statement on Twitter.
“My comments on “The Shop” regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country. I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome,” Born tweeted Tuesday.
Brittney’s wife, Cherelle Griner, spoke with both President Joe Bide and Vice President Kamala Harris. Notably, it seems the “The Shop” episode may have been filmed before Cherelle spoke to the duo, TMZ reported.
Biden also wrote a letter to Brittney, which she did receive.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has regularly handled questions from reporters about all topics Griner-related.
The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has also been in communication with her family. U.S. Congressman Colin Allred, who is a former athlete at Baylor (like Brittney) has also worked around the clock to free Griner.
However, there are supporters of other prisoners, who have been locked up abroad, particularly in Russia, that have been upset by how hard the U.S. government has seemingly tried to get Griner back, while other families say the same level of effort isn’t being paid to the cases of their loved ones.
As for Griner’s release, it doesn’t look imminent.
Griner has not yet been sentenced and could face 10 years in prison.
Full “The Shop” ep. will air Friday on HBO.
