Brittney Griner Speaks Out for the First Time Following Release From Russian Prison: "Feels So Good to be Home"

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 31: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of the WNBA game at the Footprint Center on August 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Brittney Griner Back on Basketball Court for the First Time in 10 Months

Iesha December 12, 2022 Sports Leave a comment

On Sunday, Brittney Griner picked up a basketball for the first time in 10 months since being released from a Russian prison.

Her first trick when stepping onto the court was a slam dunk.

Currently, Griner will remain in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, with her wife, Cherelle.

According to Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Griner is not ready to return to her career as a WNBA player for the Phoenix Mercury.

“If she wants to play, it will be for her to share. She has the holidays to rest and decide what’s next without any pressure,” Colas said. “She’s doing really, really well. She seems to have endured this in pretty incredible ways.”

Later this week, Griner is expected to release a statement.

Sources close to Griner have indicated that when she does leave, she will not go to her Phoenix home but rather to a secure, private location.

“There’s no timeline on her return at this point. She’s reintegrating into a world that has changed for her now,” Colas said. “From a pure security standpoint, she’s not going to be able to move in the world the way she did. It’s not a fate that she asked for, but I think she’s going to try to utilize her fame for good.”

Moving forward, Griner will focus on bringing attention to American citizens held in other countries without their consent, particularly Paul Whelan, a former marine in a Russian prison for four years.