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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has revealed that she recently met with Brittney Griner for the first time since her detainment in Russia.
"I met with her in Phoenix," Engelbert told CNN. "Britney is doing remarkably well, and she's starting to train. We're so excited to have her back in the league after an awful ordeal."
The commissioner said the league waited to meet with Griner to give her space after she returned home from Russia two months ago through a prisoner swap involving international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
"We wanted to give her the holidays to meet with family and friends," Engelbert said. "Just a remarkable experience. She has a remarkable story about what she went through, but we're looking forward to having her back in the W."
According to Engelbert, Griner is looking forward to getting back on the court, specifically to play for the Phoenix Mercury, a WNBA team she's been a part of since 2013.
"She is an unrestricted free agent currently," Engelbert said. "Presumably she's expressed she wants to play for Phoenix, the Mercury, and we'll see what happens in the next couple weeks or so."
Griner is seemingly getting back into her routine since she was first detained in February 2022 on drug charges in Russia.
On Sunday (February 12), Griner was spotted sporting a Philadelphia Eagles jersey at the 2023 Super Bowl. Her appearance at the big game came one day after she surprised fans at the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament.
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