Phoenix Mercury

A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona in the United States Senate on Thursday calls for the immediate release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Kelly said in a statement:

"I've worked with the State Department to make sure that Brittney Griner's safe return is a top priority, and this bipartisan resolution shows the Senate's support for her as well. Brittney Griner is an inspiration to Arizonans and Americans across the country. I've had the pleasure of meeting her and seeing her talent on the court up close. The Russian government unjustly detained Brittney and we will keep working with the administration to ensure her safe and swift return."

The resolution calls for the United States to push for Griner's release in all interactions with Russia. It also calls for Russia to provide the WNBA star with consular access as she continues to remain in custody. She has been detained for 154 days as of Thursday.

In addition, it voices support for Paul Whelan, another American who is detained in Russia, and other "prisoners unjustly imprisoned in the Russian Federation."

The resolution was co-written by Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and co-sponsored by 27 senators, including Sens. Raphael Warnock, Amy Klobuchar, Dianne Feinstein, Elizabeth Warren, Ted Cruz, Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders, per ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

Griner has been detained in Russia since February 17 after being arrested at a Moscow airport for allegedly carrying vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil in her luggage. She pleaded guilty in Russian court earlier this month and faces up to 10 years in Russian prison if convicted. The guilty plea could be a tactic to speed up the trial or be required in order to facilitate a possible prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia, per the AP's Jim Heintz.

The 31-year-old wrote a letter directly to President Joe Biden earlier this month asking for help in obtaining her freedom.

"I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American Detainees," an excerpt of the letter read, per ESPN's TJ Quinn. "Please do all that you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home."

The Biden administration reclassified Griner as wrongfully detained in May. By doing so, the U.S. signaled that it would not wait for her case to play out in a Russian court and instead begin negotiations for her release.

Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday "aimed at increasing the flow of information to families of Americans detained abroad and at imposing sanctions on the criminals, terrorists or government officials who hold them captive," per Eric Tucker of the Associated Press.

The U.S. State Department is continuing to work diligently for Griner's release and still views the case as a "top priority."

Griner has been in the WNBA since being selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA draft. Since then she has earned seven All-Star selections in nine seasons and has also represented the United States at the Olympics.

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is among the people depicted on a mural in Washington, D.C., to honor Americans who are detained abroad.

A new mural in Washington DC featuring @TheWNBPA member, @brittneygriner, has been unveiled by the @BOFHcampaign ❤️ #WeAreBG pic.twitter.com/G9ZP327un7

— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) July 20, 2022

The piece was installed with the help of the Bring Our Families Home Campaign.

Ahead of their game in D.C. against the Washington Mystics on Thursday, members of the New York Liberty, including head coach Sandy Brondello, Jocelyn Willougby, Rebecca Allen, Sami Whitcomb, Marine Johanne and Stefanie Dolson, visited the mural to show their support for Griner:

DAY 153.

Members of the @nyliberty and Coach @SBrondello visited the @BOFHcampaign’s mural at 3125 M Street NW today. This mural features 18 wrongfully detained US Nationals including our member, @brittneygriner.#WeAreBG #BringThemHome#WeAreNotThe144WithoutBG pic.twitter.com/2JAa7x5dX8

— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) July 20, 2022

The seven-time All-Star has been detained for 153 days after being arrested in February at a Moscow airport. She pleaded guilty on July 7 to drug charges, though her trial remains ongoing. The U.S. State Department classified Griner as "wrongfully detained" in May.

ESPN's T.J. Quinn reported pleading guilty to drug possession and smuggling was "a strategy to help facilitate a prisoner swap that could bring Griner home, and it also was a recognition that there was no way she was going to be acquitted."

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order that's meant to expedite the return of Americans taken hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. The order also increases the punishments levied against those who engage in taking Americans hostage or detaining them under wrongful means.

The 2022 WNBA trade deadline has come and gone, and there wasn't much action on Friday despite several players being included in rumors leading up to the 8 p.m. ET deadline.

Skylar Diggins-Smith, Bria Hartley and Allisha Gray were among the players that could have been moved, but their respective teams opted to keep them for the remainder of the season despite executing any blockbuster deals.

Here's a look at some of trade deadline buzz and a roundup of the news on some notable players.

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Skylar Diggins-Smith Remains with Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury reportedly "explored" a trade for Diggins-Smith following a social media conflict with head coach Vanessa Nygaard, according to Howard Megdal of The IX Newsletter.

Diggins-Smith and Nygaard got into an exchange after the first year head coach said that Diana Taurasi, also a member of the Mercury, should have been named a WNBA All-Star and that the game would not be a true All-Star game because Taurasi was not playing.

Diggins-Smith, who was named to the All-Star Game, took Nygaard's comments the wrong way and quote tweeted the head coach's remarks with a clown emoji, which has since been deleted.

Diggins-Smith and Taurasi also got into an exchange on the bench earlier in this season, making it seems like she was headed for a divorce with the Mercury.

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi had to be separated after a heated exchange on the bench. https://t.co/QGCghYuHAf

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 18, 2022

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported at Friday's deadline that the Mercury would "not be participating in a blockbuster trade" and intended to keep the six-time All-Star.

The Los Angeles Sparks were among a number of teams that inquired about Diggins-Smith, but the Mercury "didn’t feel as if they could get equal value in return, and they believe they have the talent to climb up in the standings for a more comfortable first-round opponent," Haynes wrote.

While there is still a rift between Diggins-Smith and Taurasi, the Mercury believe the two sides can put aside their differences "for the common good of the team."

It's been a tough season for the Mercury, who sit fourth in the Western Conference standings with a 11-15 record. Phoenix currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot, but will need to get it together if it hopes to make a deep run.

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Allisha Gray "Most Likely" to be Moved by Dallas Wings in Offseason

The Dallas Wings opted not to move Gray at Friday's deadline, but she is "most likely" to be traded in the offseason, according to Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports TV.

Dallas is third in the Western Conference with an 11-13 record and in a playoff spot, so moving Gray before a potential playoff run wouldn't make much sense. That said, she is still one of the Wings' best players, and losing her wouldn't help improve the team's chances of winning a title.

Gray signed a three-year extension with the Wings in February 2021 and has spent her entire career in Dallas since being selected fourth overall in 2017. She's in the midst of her best season in the WNBA, averaging 14.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 21 games while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 40.8 percent from deep.

However, the Wings have yet to get out of the first round of the playoffs since Gray arrived and missed the postseason twice in her first five seasons. Moving Gray will potentially allow her to compete for a title, which Dallas currently isn't close to do doing.

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Connecticut Sun Express Interest in Bria Hartley

The Indiana Fever waived Bria Hartley on Friday, and it doesn't look like she'll be a free agent for long as the Connecticut Sun have expressed interest in the former UConn guard, per Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports TV.

Hartley joined the Fever in a three-team trade from the Phoenix Mercury in February that also involved the Chicago Sky. In 10 games with the team, she averaged 2.5 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.0 assist while shooting 34.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from deep.

The 29-year-old began her career with the Washington Mystics after being selected seventh overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2014 WNBA draft. She spent three seasons with the franchise before being traded to the New York Liberty, where she spent three seasons.

Hartley then joined the Mercury from 2020-2021.

The New York native is averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in her nine-year career.

If Hartley signs with the Sun, she will likely play off the bench, as she has over the last several seasons. Connecticut is second in the Eastern Conference with a 15-8 record and appear primed to make a deep playoff run, so adding Hartley could be a good depth move for the franchise.

As her drug-possession trial in Russia resumes on Friday, Brittney Griner's lawyer said the WNBA star had permission from a United States doctor to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Per Jim Heintz of the Associated Press, Maria Blagovolina provided the Russian court with documents from the U.S. doctor that recommends she use cannabis for pain treatment.

"The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis," Blagovolina said. "The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health."

Griner's defense also submitted tests on Friday that she previously underwent as part of an anti-doping check that showed no prohibited substances in her system.

Griner pleaded guilty to charges of drug possession and smuggling on July 7.

ESPN's T.J. Quinn reported that Griner's guilty plea was likely a strategic move "to help facilitate a prisoner swap that could bring Griner home, and it also was a recognition that there was no way she was going to be acquitted."

According to Quinn, while there is no timetable for the length of the trial, the "real resolution" to the case is expected to be a deal that brings "one or more Russians currently in U.S. custody back to Russia in exchange for the release of Griner and possibly another American, Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since December 2018."

Tatyana Chistikova, Alicia Victoria Lozano and Rhoda Kwan of NBC News noted the trial adjourned for 11 days after Friday's proceedings when Griner's legal team asked the Moscow court for more time to prepare.

UMMC Ekaterinburg player Evgeniya Belyakova and general manager Maxim Ryabkovwo, two members of Griner's team in Russia, appeared in court on Thursday to make statements as character witnesses on her behalf.

Griner was originally detained in Russia on Feb. 17 when airport security found vaporizer cartridges containing hashish oil, an illegal substance in the country, in her luggage. She has now been detained for 148 days.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement on May 3 that it had determined Griner was being wrongfully detained.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, by telephone on July 6 in an effort to reassure her they are working to get Brittney back to the United States.

Griner was in Russia playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg prior to being detained. She has played for the club during the WNBA offseason since 2014.

Two members of the Russian basketball organization Brittney Griner played for appeared as character witnesses at her trial Thursday, according to T.J. Quinn of ESPN.

UMMC Ekaterinburg player Yevgenia Belyakova and general manager Maxim Ryabkov both spoke at the trial and told the judge Griner had been "an exemplary player and citizen" during her time with the club, per Quinn.

Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, has played six seasons with UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseasons. She's helped the team win four EuroLeague titles during that span.

On Feb. 17, the 31-year-old was arrested at the Moscow airport and has been wrongfully detained for 147 days. She was charged with large-scale transportation of drugs and pleaded guilty last week, telling the judge she inadvertently brought vape cartridges with hashish oil.

Griner faces up to 10 years in prison for the charges, but her lawyers expect the guilty plea will lead to leniency.

"We of course hope for the leniency of the court," her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, told reporters. "Considering all the circumstances of the case, taking into account the personality of our client, we believe that the admission of guilt should certainly be taken into account."

The U.S. State Department has also been working on Griner's release, and it's possible her guilty plea is a prerequisite for the U.S. to get Russia to agree to a prisoner exchange.

Trials still continue beyond a guilty plea in Russia and Friday's proceedings are expected to include the judge directly interrogating Griner. The character witnesses could still help reduce her sentence.

At the very least, the day in court provided an opportunity for Griner to see some familiar faces in person for the first time since her arrest.

"It was an extremely emotional day for Brittney, who was touched by the appearance of the club director, head physician and her teammate, who gave an extremely positive description of our client both personally and professionally," Blagovolina told Reuters.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is reportedly planning a trip to Russia as he seeks to negotiate a deal for the release of Brittney Griner.

Patrick Reevell of ABC News reported Richardson plans to be in Moscow within the next couple of weeks. Richardson previously worked on the release of former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, who was held in a Russian prison for more than two years.

Griner has been detained in Russia on drug charges since February after authorities found hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo International Airport. She pleaded guilty to those charges last week and could face up to 10 years in prison.

"We asked the Richardson Center to help, and I'm encouraged that he might be going," Cherelle Griner, Brittney's wife, told ABC in a statement made through Griner's agent Lindsay Colas.

The U.S. State Department has categorized Griner as being "wrongfully detained." Her best hope of a release is likely through a prisoner exchange, similar to the deal made for Reed in April.

Richardson is also representing former Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia for more than three years.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Cherelle Griner on Wednesday after Brittney sent a letter to the White House asking for assistance.

"The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney's release as soon as possible," the White House said in a statement. "The President offered his support to Cherelle and Brittney's family, and he committed to ensuring they are provided with all possible assistance while his administration pursues every avenue to bring Brittney home."

Richardson, who served as an Ambassador to the United Nations during the Bill Clinton administration, does not work for the White House.

Cherelle Griner, the wife of Phoenix Mercury superstar center Brittney Griner, spoke about how she is handling Brittney's detainment in Russia at a rally on Wednesday.

While addressing a crowd of 300 people at the "Bring BG Home Rally" at the Mercury's Footprint Center home, Cherelle said the following about her wife's 140-day detainment, per ESPN's Josh Weinfuss:

"I assure you that what and how I feel is no longer hurt by the impact of this tragedy. What and how I feel today is a deeper emotion than hurt. I'm frustrated. I'm frustrated that 140 days have passed since my wife has been able to speak to our family and friends. I'm frustrated that my wife is not going to get justice."

Griner was taken into custody at the Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow in February and alleged to be in possession of vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia.

She has had her detainment extended multiple times since then, and her trial finally began last week.

ESPN's T.J. Quinn reported that experts and U.S. officials believe it is a "show trial" meant to make an example out of Griner and possibly force the United States' hand in a prisoner swap. If convicted, Griner faces 10 years in prison.

Quinn previously reported in May that the United States government had reclassified Griner as "wrongfully detained," which typically means a shift in focus toward bringing the person home rather than allowing the legal process to play out.

With Griner in the midst of a trial and no movement yet in terms of bringing her back to the U.S., Cherelle appealed to President Joe Biden.

According to Quinn, Cherelle had a phone call with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday before the rally, and she later said Biden and Harris expressed "commitment" toward "getting BG home."

The call came on the heels of Brittney managing to send a letter to the White House, and it was later confirmed that Biden had read the letter. In it, Griner asked Biden not to "forget about me and the other American Detainees."

Former mayor of Phoenix Greg Stanton and former Dallas Wings player Imani McGee-Stafford were among the other people who spoke at Wednesday's rally and made direct appeals toward Biden and Harris to bring Griner home.

The Phoenix Mercury have reportedly "explored" a trade involving Skylar Diggins-Smith after a recent social media exchange with first-year head coach Vanessa Nygaard.

The Phoenix Mercury have "explored" trading Skylar Diggins-Smith, per @TheNextHoops pic.twitter.com/zwqG9lYTBE

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 6, 2022

#ICYMI: 🚨 BREAKING 🚨: The Mercury have explored trading 5X All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith, our @howardmegdal reports.

Want to read more about the drama going down in Phoenix? ⤵️

🔗: https://t.co/Vqm6DeAgQJ pic.twitter.com/zcxn5dh3vF

— The IX: Women's sports in your inbox 6X a week (@TheIXNewsletter) July 6, 2022

The conflict began when Nygaard said teammate Diana Taurasi should have been named an All-Star.

"I reiterate that [Diana Taurasi] should be an All-Star," she said last week, per Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post. "There will be a game in Chicago, but it will not be an All-Star Game because Diana Taurasi’s not playing."

Diggins-Smith was named to Sunday's game and seemingly saw the comments as a slight against her. She quote tweeted a video of Nygaard's comments with a clown emoji, although the post has since been deleted.

It also comes after Taurasi and Diggins-Smith had to be separated this season:

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi had to be separated after a heated exchange on the bench. https://t.co/QGCghYuHAf

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 18, 2022

It has been part of a rough season for the Mercury after reaching the WNBA Finals last season under head coach Sandy Brondello. The squad has struggled to a 9-14 record in 2022, featuring a seven-game losing streak in May and June.

Star center Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia on Feb. 17 and has been detained there since.

Tina Charles was expected to play a key role for the team this season, but she mutually parted ways with the squad in late June. The center later signed with the Seattle Storm.

Diggins-Smith could be the next to leave despite a productive start to the season. The guard is averaging 19.1 points, 5.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game this year in her sixth All-Star campaign.

With the 31-year-old under contract through next season, Diggins-Smith would likely be a highly sought-after player on the trade block.

Cherelle Griner, wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner, has spoken to President Joe Biden about her wife's ongoing detention in Russia.

Per a White House press release, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Cherelle Griner in a phone call on Wednesday to "reassure her" that the President is "working to secure Brittney's release as soon as possible" along with the release of additional U.S. nationals being "wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world."

JUST IN: Pres. Biden, Vice Pres. Harris spoke to Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner's wife, White House says.

"The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible." https://t.co/aEfCwQMp9K pic.twitter.com/MitRRJLU4w

— ABC News (@ABC) July 6, 2022

Cherelle said Wednesday that she's "grateful" for President Biden's commitment to bringing the WNBA star home:

"While I will remain concerned and outspoken until she is back home, I am hopeful in knowing that the President read my wife’s letter and took the time to respond. I know BG will be able to find comfort in knowing she has not been forgotten." /2

— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) July 6, 2022

"Let’s continue to use our voices to speak the names of all the wrongfully detained Americans and support the Administration as they do what it takes to bring them home today." /x

— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) July 6, 2022

Griner has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg of the Russian Premier League during the WNBA offseason since 2014.

Per Michael Crowley and Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times, Russian Federal Customs Service detained Griner on Feb. 17 after claiming it found cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. She has been detained for 139 days as of Wednesday.

According to Crowley and Abrams, Griner is under criminal investigation for "large-scale transportation of drugs, an offense that can carry a sentence of up to 10 years behind bars in Russia."

The WNBA, as well as many of Griner's fellow WNBA and NBA players, have been vocal in their support for her and urging the American government to take action to bring her home.

Statement from the WNBPA regarding Brittney Griner. pic.twitter.com/Bw9sVCJAlX

— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) March 5, 2022

Brittney Griner needs to be home!!

— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) July 5, 2022

@paigebueckers1 closes out her interview with @malika_andrews with a powerful message on Brittney Griner:

"Whatever it takes to get her home ... I think it's definitely time." pic.twitter.com/jf89kBOFi9

— ESPN (@espn) July 5, 2022

Per Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press, Griner sent a handwritten letter to Biden that he received on Monday asking him to not "forget about me and the other American Detainees” in Russia.

Griner's trial in Russian court began on July 1, with a second session scheduled to take place on Thursday. A judge ordered her to remain in custody for an additional six months during a preliminary hearing last month.

Brittney and Cherrelle Griner were scheduled to have a phone call on June 18, but it never took place because the United States Embassy was unstaffed on that date. The White House did reschedule the call after what it called an "unfortunate mistake" prevented it from taking place as planned.

The couple have been married since June 2019.

United States President Joe Biden has read the letter from WNBA star Brittney Griner appealing to him directly for help in obtaining her freedom from detention in Russia.

According to ESPN, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during Tuesday's regular press briefing that the situation surrounding Griner is "very personal to him," though she did not reveal his reaction to reading the letter.

The 31-year-old Phoenix Mercury center has been detained since Feb. 17 when she was arrested at a Russian airport on charges of possessing cannabis oil. After multiple extensions of her detention, her trial began on July 1. Griner faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of large-scale transportation of drugs.

Griner's letter was delivered to the White House on Monday. Her representatives released excerpts, in which she stated that she feels "terrified I might be here forever." In her direct plea to Biden, she wrote, "Please don't forget about me and the other American detainees."

The letter continued, "I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home."

During an appearance on a morning talk show on Tuesday, Griner's wife Cherelle said she had yet to hear from Biden.

"I still have not heard from him and honestly, it's very disheartening," Cherelle Griner said on CBS Mornings.

Jean-Pierre noted that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Griner's wife recently, but she didn't say whether there are plans for Biden to speak to Griner's family. Cherelle Griner went on to illustrate how scared Brittney must be to resort to writing the letter to Biden.

"BG is probably the strongest person that I know. So she doesn't say words like that lightly," Cherelle said. "That means she truly is terrified that she may never see us again. And you know I share those same sentiments."

The U.S. State Department changed Griner's classification to "wrongfully detained" in May, a designation that allows the administration to move forward with negotiations for her release rather than waiting on the outcome of criminal proceedings.

Griner has now been detained for 138 days, and her trial is set to resume on Thursday. According to ESPN, "Fewer than one percent of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in U.S. courts, acquittals can be overturned."