Sports world reacts to Brittney Griner’s Russian prison release originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Brittney Griner's 294-day detainment in Russia has finally come to an end.
The 32-year-old WNBA star was released to the United States in a prisoner swap on Thursday, U.S. officials confirmed. This comes four months after Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling charges.
Griner – who, for years, had played in the off-season for a Russian women’s basketball team, the UMMC Ekaterinburg - was first detained in February and remained in custody for seven months before finally being sentenced. But now, Griner is back in U.S. custody and on her way home to her hometown of Texas.
The sports world was filled with joy when the news of Griner's release broke and many took to social media to share their relief and excitement:
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