American basketball player Brittney Griner stood for the US national anthem before her first regular-season WNBA game since being jailed in Russia.
Key points:
- Griner has been free since last December when she was part of a prisoner swap between the US and Russia
- She was arrested at Moscow airport in February 2022 after a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil
- US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the game in Los Angeles and spoke to Griner in the dressing room
Griner was outspoken for social justice in 2020 and did not take the court during the pre-game anthem. But nearly a year behind bars in Russia changed her.
“I was literally in a cage and could not stand the way I wanted to,” she said.
“Just being able to hear my national anthem and see my flag, I definitely want to stand.”
Griner had 18 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots for the Phoenix Mercury in a 94-71 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.
“I appreciate everything a little bit more, all of the small moments, like, ‘Oh, I’m so tired I don’t want to go to practice today,’ that has changed, honestly,” she said.
“Tomorrow is not guaranteed, you don’t know what it’s going to look like. I feel a lot older somehow, too.”
The 32-year-old centre’s immediate goal is to be able to play an entire game by the All-Star break in mid-July. She played 25 minutes against the Sparks.
“I hope to be exactly where I want to be,” Griner said.
“Just getting back to how I was before all this happened.”
Griner has been free since December when she was part of a high-profile prisoner swap.
She was arrested at a Moscow airport in February 2022 after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.
“Today is a day of joy,” Phoenix coach Vanessa Nygaard said.
“An amazing, amazing thing has happened.”
Griner and the Mercury were greeted with a standing ovation when they came on court for pre-game warm-ups, although the biggest cheers were reserved for the Sparks.
“Just taking it in but staying focused because at the end of the day I’m at work,” Griner said.
“Can’t get caught up in the moment. Kind of feel it, but put it to the side and feel it a little bit later.”
Griner hugged US Vice President Kamala Harris and first gentleman Doug Emhoff as they left the court after Ms Harris was presented with a No 49 Sparks jersey.
Earlier, Ms Harris posed for photos in the Mercury’s locker room.
“It was nice to be able to see her face-to-face and thank her for everything,” Griner said.
She patted her heart and applauded in return during a brief video welcoming her back to the WNBA.
“It was nice to be back on the court for a real game,” she said.
“The love from the fans when we came out was amazing. I definitely feel it.”
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AP/ABC