Phoenix Mercury

The United States government reportedly now considers WNBA star Brittney Griner to be "wrongfully detained" in Russia.

According to ESPN's T.J. Quinn, sources have indicated that the government's shift in how it views Griner's case will now lead to it attempting to negotiate her return rather than letting the legal process play out.

Griner has been detained in Russia since February after she was reportedly found to be in possession of vape cartridges containing hashish oil at a Moscow airport.

Griner has a hearing scheduled for May 19 in Russia, where she has yet to be formally charged.

Per Quinn, a source close to Griner expressed optimism regarding her returning to the United States in the near future: "We feel really good about it, but we also know it can drag out, so we don't want to get our hopes too high."

Quinn also received a statement from Griner's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, who said: "Brittney has been detained for 75 days and our expectation is that the White House do whatever is necessary to bring her home."

Adding to the optimism is the fact that Russia agreed to a deal last week that sent U.S. Marine Trevor Reed back to the United States in exchange for a Russian citizen who was convicted for drug smuggling in the U.S.

Griner's detainment around the same time Russia invaded Ukraine, which was a decision opposed by the United States and many other countries across the world and could have complicated negotiations over the release of American citizens in Russia.

News of Griner's reclassification in the eyes of the U.S. government comes on the heels of the WNBA announcing Monday that it will honor Griner throughout the upcoming 2022 season.

According to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the league would place a decal featuring Griner's initials and No. 42 on the court of all 12 WNBA teams this season.

Engelbert added that the WNBA is "keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community."

Griner, who has spent her entire nine-year career with the Phoenix Mercury, is a seven-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and one-time WNBA champion. She has also won two Olympic gold medals as part of Team USA.

Griner was in Russia to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, who she has represented during WNBA offseasons since 2014.

The WNBA will honor Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner with a floor decal that will be displayed throughout the 2022 season, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

The design will include Griner's initials and her jersey number (No. 42).

The seven-time All-Star remains detained in Russia, having been taken into custody in February after customs officials said she was carrying vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil through airport security.

TASS, a Russian state-owned news agency, reported in March that Griner was due to remain in custody until at least May 19. ESPN's T.J. Quinn spoke with Tom Firestone, a former legal adviser for the U.S. embassy in Moscow, and he said Griner could remain in Russia for as many as 12 to 18 months before she's put on trial.

Firestone laid out to Quinn and Mechelle Voepel of ESPN how her situation was especially delicate given the politics at play:

Sometimes cases like this are better off handled in a low-key approach through the criminal justice system. I think the concern is, if it becomes too high-profile, if it becomes political, then the Russian government may dig into their position. It may make it difficult for her to get a good resolution of the case, and she could become a pawn in a bigger political battle.

The New York Times' Kurt Streeter reported that players around the WNBA have been purposefully mum on the matter on the advice of those close to Griner, "who have determined it best to let behind-the-scenes diplomacy work."

Mercury guard Kia Nurse offered her perspective to Streeter.

"We are absolutely outspoken about everything that we can possibly be," she said. "But we are also very good at admitting that we don't know everything, and we are not the experts on every topic."

The WNBA's gesture to honor Griner may not receive universal acclaim because her arrest has once again called attention to how many of the league's top stars play elsewhere for financial reasons.

"One of the narratives that the players have to go overseas is a little bit outdated and inaccurate," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters on April 11.

Minnesota Lynx wing Aerial Powers offered a counter when she told Voepel, "We go over there to make a living."

The Arizona Republic's Jeff Metcalfe reported in March 2017 that Griner was earning around $1 million by suiting up for Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg. While the most recent collective bargaining agreement raised player salaries across the board, Griner's supermax contract guarantees her around a quarter ($227,900) of what she makes overseas.

Connecticut Sun star and reigning WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones also made it clear she'll continue to play year-round.

"I'm going to have to deal with it," she said to ESPN's Alexa Philippou. "Because I feel like while the league is making the right and necessary strides to pay us more and ensure that if we don't want to go overseas, we don't have to, I just feel like in my situation, the money is not comparable."

The WNBA's gesture toward Griner—while well-intentioned—will likely again raise questions about what else the league is doing to address the underlying problems that allowed this to happen in the first place.

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi is about to embark on her 18th season in the WNBA, and it might be far from her last.

"I plan on playing for a while," she told reporters during the Mercury's media day on Wednesday. "I'll let you guys know when I'm done because you're not gonna see me anymore. When I'm done playing, I'm just going to stop playing. I'm not going to ease my way out."

Despite her age (39) and the added mileage she has put on her body by playing year-round earlier in her career, Taurasi's comments shouldn't come as a huge surprise.

The Mercury are coming off an appearance in the WNBA Finals in 2021, and they signed Tina Charles and Diamond DeShields while retaining all of their key players from last year.

Brittney Griner is the notable exception as she remains in the custody of Russian authorities. Phoenix opens the regular season May 6, so it looks like the seven-time All-Star will miss most or all of the 2022 season.

"It's tough. We all are concerned about her," head coach Vanessa Nygaard said April 18. "It is something that we think about, and we pray to make sure that she is safe and that she comes home quickly."

Even without Griner, winning a championship is the clear goal for Phoenix, one that's attainable without a clear runaway preseason title favorite in the WNBA. As long as the Mercury can contend, Taurasi might have a hard time walking away.

The decision might be a little easier if her 2021 performance represents a wider trend.

The 2009 MVP was limited to 16 games because of a fractured sternum and then a sprained ankle.

Leaving aside 2019, when she only logged six appearances, she set a career low for field-goal percentage (36.6) and averaged her fewest points per 36 minutes (19.2) since 2014, per Basketball Reference. Her 0.125 win shares per 48 were a career low, too, over a full season.

Between the injuries and having to step away to represent Team USA in the 2021 Summer Olympics, perhaps it was just one of those years for Taurasi. Her game hasn't fallen off a cliff as it often does for legends at such an advanced stage of their careers.

"I want to play, and when I suck, I won't play," she said Wednesday. "Trust me, I'll be in those workouts in the winter and be like, 'Hmm, that's it.'"

Fans certainly shouldn't take this season for granted because it doesn't sound like Taurasi is planning to do a farewell tour when she decides it's time to retire.

The 2022 WNBA draft got underway Monday night, but not before commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed concern and offered her support for Phoenix Mercury veteran Brittney Griner, who remains detained in Russia.

Engelbert said, per ESPN's Mechelle Voepel:

This is an unimaginable situation for BG to be in. She continues to have our full support. Certainly, we're trying everything we can, every angle, working with her legal representation, her agent, elected leaders, the administration. Just everybody in our ecosystem to try and find ways to get her home safely and as quickly as we can.

Engelbert added that the WNBA knows she's safe, but that they "want to get her home," which she noted was the league's "top priority" in her opening comments.

"We're following the advice ... there's not a day that goes by that we're not talking to someone who has views on what we've been doing and how we're moving forward," Engelbert continued.

"I know we're all frustrated, but we do need to be patient. The players have been amazing at following the advice they're getting and we're getting in order not to jeopardize her safety in any way."

Griner was detained by the Russian Federal Customs Service at a Moscow airport in February after they allegedly found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. If convicted, she could spend a maximum of 10 years in prison.

The 31-year-old plays for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Women's Basketball Premier League during the WNBA offseason. The league took a two-week break in February for FIBA World Cup qualifying games and returned to action February 23.

Griner was selected first overall by the Mercury in the 2013 WNBA draft. She has gone on to have a very successful career, earning seven All-Star selections in nine seasons.

It's unclear when Griner might return to the United States. The WNBA season is slated to begin in May, and the Mercury could be without here. However, Phoenix is expected to receive "some roster relief" from the league, according to ESPN's Holly Rowe.

The U.S. State Department increased its efforts to support WNBA veteran Brittney Griner, who remains detained in Russia after authorities alleged she possessed cannabis oil, by demanding the country provide consular access to the 31-year-old, according to the Associated Press. 

The State Department said in a release on Friday:

“We are closely engaged on this case and in frequent contact with Brittney Griner’s legal team. We insist the Russian government provide consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention, as Brittney Griner is. 

“We have repeatedly asked for consular access to these detainees and have consistently been denied access.

This comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that the United States would provide assistance to any citizen being detained in Russia.

Griner was detained last month by the Russian Federal Customs Service at an airport in Moscow after authorities alleged they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Her detainment comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Russia over the latter's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

Ekaterina Kalugina, a member of the public monitoring commission that visits detainees in Russia, told the Associated Press that Griner is doing well, her physical condition is fine and that she is "fairly calm and isn't anxious." 

Kalugina also said Griner's lawyers had been able to visit her often and bring her care packages, but she has not been allowed to meet with a U.S. consul.

Griner is one of many WNBA players who play overseas during the WNBA offseason. She last played for Russia's UMMC Ekaterinburg in January. 

The Phoenix Mercury selected Griner first overall in the 2013 WNBA draft, and she has starred for the team ever since, earning seven All-Star selections in nine seasons.

The WNBA season will begin in May, and the Mercury are set to open the campaign against the Las Vegas Aces on May 6.

Officials from the U.S. State Department are unable to gain access to Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner as she remains detained in Russia.

"We insist the Russian government provide consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention, as Brittney Griner is," the department said in a statement to ESPN's T.J. Quinn.

Quinn also provided an update as to Griner's status:

The New York Times' Michael Crowley and Jonathan Abrams first reported on March 5 that Griner had been taken into custody in Russia after Russian authorities alleged she was carrying vape cartridges with hash oil in her luggage prior to a flight.

Rep. Colin Allred clarified to ESPN.com's Mechelle Voepel that Griner was arrested on Feb. 17, multiple weeks prior to news of the arrest surfacing.

TASS, a Russian state-owned news agency, reported Thursday that Griner will remain in detention until at least May 19.

In addition to the lack of information regarding the seven-time WNBA All-Star, one concerning aspect for the uncertainty as to whether drawing more attention to her plight will help her cause.

"If Griner's case does become political, she's at the mercy of Russian President Vladimir Putin," Quinn and Voepel wrote.

They also interviewed Tom Firestone, a lawyer who was a legal adviser for the U.S. embassy in Moscow, who explained the delicate nature of the situation:

Sometimes cases like this are better off handled in a low-key approach through the criminal justice system. I think the concern is, if it becomes too high-profile, if it becomes political, then the Russian government may dig into their position. It may make it difficult for her to get a good resolution of the case, and she could become a pawn in a bigger political battle.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to get into specifics as to Griner's arrest when addressing the matter on March 6 but confirmed U.S. officials are attempting to resolve the matter.

"There's only so much I can say given the privacy considerations at this point," he said. "Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia."

WNBA star Brittney Griner will reportedly remain in custody in Russia until at least May 19.

According to Reuters (h/t ESPN), Russian news agency TASS reported Thursday that the Khimkinsky court in Moscow ruled that Griner will continue to be held in a detention center for at least two more months. She was arrested last month when vape cartridges containing hash oil were allegedly found in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo Airport.

If charged with drug possession, the Phoenix Mercury center could face between five and 10 years in prison.

While the Russian Customs Service never identified Griner by name publicly, it announced earlier this month that it had detained a WNBA player in February.

TASS later confirmed that Griner had been detained, leading to the Mercury and USA Basketball releasing statements in which they expressed concern for her safety:

The 31-year-old Griner has spent her entire WNBA career with the Mercury after they drafted her first overall in 2013, earning seven All-Star selections, two scoring titles and one championship. She has also won two Olympic gold medals as part of Team USA.

Like many of the WNBA's top players, Griner has also played professionally in Russia during the winter months since 2014 as part of the UMMC Ekaterinburg club.

News of Griner's detainment became public at around the same time Russia began a widely criticized military invasion of Ukraine, which saw the United States and other countries levy economic sanctions on Russia.

Michael Crowley and Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times reported that U.S. officials have expressed belief in recent years that Russia has levied "trumped-up" charges against Americans in an effort to send a message or use them as bargaining chips.

Crowley and Abrams noted that Griner's detainment could be Russia's way to "gain leverage in the political and economic standoff with Washington over the Ukraine invasion."

Regardless of the motivations for her detainment, Griner now appears set to miss the start of the 2022 WNBA season on May 6.

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) said Wednesday he has been in contact with the State Department and is working toward a potential solution for the Brittney Griner situation.

Griner, who is a star player for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and plays overseas for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg during offseasons, has been detained in Russia on drug charges. The timing is of particular note, as international relations with Russia have largely deteriorated amid the country's invasion of Ukraine.

"My office has been in touch with the State Department, and we're working with them to see what is the best way forward," Allred, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said, per Mechelle Voepel of ESPN.

Voepel shared more of his comments:

I know the administration is working hard to try and get access to her and try to be helpful here. But obviously, it's also happening in the context of really strained relations. I do think that it's really unusual that we've not been granted access to her from our embassy and our consular services.

The Russian criminal justice system is very different than ours, very opaque. We don't have a lot of insight into where she is in that process right now. But she's been held for three weeks now, and that's extremely concerning.

His comments come after Russian state TV released a photograph of Griner in custody following her arrest:

"Brittney Griner has the WNBA's full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States," the WNBA previously said in a statement.

Holly Yan of CNN noted the Russian Federal Customs Service detained Griner at Moscow's airport and said she was found with hash oil. She could face five to 10 years in prison.

Allred played football at Baylor before he suited up for the Tennessee Titans for four seasons in the NFL. Griner also attended Baylor and helped lead the Bears to a national championship during her collegiate career.

He also mentioned the Baylor connection:

Of course for me, there is a Baylor connection. And also being on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and having recently visited Ukraine and being intimately involved with our response to the Russian aggression there. But also the fact that Brittney is a high-profile LGBTQ advocate and icon in many ways.

I'm sure her lawyer in Russia is working through the process. But every day for anyone being held, particularly being held overseas, is a lifetime. I recognize that for her friends and family, this must be an incredibly difficult time. And for her, I'm sure the uncertainty about what's happening is probably just terrible. And so, hopefully, whatever happens, we can get this moving quickly and get her out.

Griner has been with the Mercury her entire WNBA career since the team selected her with the No. 1 pick of the 2013 draft.

Russian state TV released a photograph Tuesday of Brittney Griner in custody after her February arrest, per Rosa Flores of CNN:

The photo shows Griner holding a piece of paper with her name on it. She was detained at some point last month after Russian officials said they found cannabis oil in her luggage and is yet to be released. 

Griner, 31, has played professional basketball in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason since 2014. Her continued detainment has been a source of particular concern given the ongoing tensions between the United States and Russia over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

According to the State Department, Americans in Russia face "potential for harassment," and have been advised to leave the country immediately. The U.S. Embassy is also limited in its ability to assist Americans who may have legal or other issues in Russia.

The charges filed against Griner come with a maximum of 10 years in a Russian prison. 

“Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States,” the WNBA said in a statement.

Commenting on WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner's detainment in Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the United States will provide assistance to any citizen being held on foreign soil.

Blinken said, according to ESPN:

There's only so much I can say given the privacy considerations at this point. Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia.

We have an embassy team that's working on the cases of other Americans who are detained in Russia. We're doing everything we can to see to it that their rights are upheld and respected.

Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times reported Saturday that Griner had been detained by the Russian Federal Customs Service at an airport near Moscow in February after officials said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.

The Phoenix Mercury center is still being held by the Russian Federal Customs Service. The Mercury released a statement Saturday saying the team is aware of the situation and that their main concern is getting Griner home safely:

We are aware of and are closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia. We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA. We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home.

Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, also posted a message to Instagram, thanking supporters and asking for privacy as they continue to work on bringing the WNBA veteran home:

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me regarding my wife's safe return from Russia. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life. I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.

Griner, like many WNBA players, competes in leagues overseas during the WNBA offseason. She last played for Russia's UMMC Ekaterinburg in January before the Russian Women's Basketball Premier League took a two-week break in February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament.

The league resumed games Feb. 23.

Griner's detainment comes amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions between the Russian government, the United States and several other countries.

The Mercury selected Griner first overall in the 2013 WNBA draft. She has starred for the team ever since, earning seven All-Star selections in nine seasons. The Baylor product is averaging 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 56.0 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from deep in 254 games.

The WNBA season is set to begin in May, and the Mercury will open the season against the Las Vegas Aces on May 6.