Basketball star Brittney Griner has re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury, marking her return to the WNBA after being detained in Russia.
According to NBC News, Griner penned a one-year deal with the Mercury, the WNBA team she's been with since the start of her career in 2013. A statement officially announcing her return is expected to drop on Tuesday (February 21), a source close to Griner said, per NBC News.
Griner previously expressed her intentions to play in the 2023 season but hadn't specified for what team.
The WNBA star missed the full 2022 season amid her nearly 10-month detainment in Russia. She was initially detained in February 2022 after Russian authorities found her carrying vape canisters with cannabis oil at a Moscow airport.
Griner plead guilty to drug charges in July but said she inadvertently packed the cannabis, which she cited was prescribed by a doctor.
She was released from Russian prison in December via a 1-for-1 prisoner exchange involving international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
“I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going,” Griner said after her release. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”
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