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Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson is set to visit Moscow in the upcoming weeks to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner. The 74-year-old diplomat served as the Governor of New Mexico between 2003 and 2011. Richardson specializes in these kinds of negotiations with foreign governments and will look to reduce the prison sentence of Brittney Griner in Russia. Griner was apprehended by Russian authorities with restricted substances in possession in February. The Phoenix Mercury star’s arrest took place during Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. As a result, her imprisonment became a major diplomatic issue for both Russia and America. BRITTNEY GRINER PLEADS GUILTY TO ALL CHARGES Notably, Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to all the charges against her earlier this month. Her next court appearance is on July 14th. Griner had recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for help. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200726191705/WNBA2.jpg] In response, Biden met with the 31-year-old hooper’s wife and assured to mitigate the situation. In the meantime, former Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson will lead the negotiations for the United States. Offer That Left Shaquille O?Neal Wheezing [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-charles-barkley-once-mocked-black-women-on-live-tv-with-1-million-offer-that-left-shaquille-oneal-wheezing/] The drug charges against Brittney Griner could [https://t.co/GgOjEtmeGI] lead to up to 10 years in prison. The 2014 WNBA champion’s guilty plea is a wise decision, according to experts. FORMER NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR TO NEGOTIATE GRINER’S RELEASE Bill Richardson will be visiting Moscow soon to negotiate Brittney Griner’s release. Incidentally, Richardson successfully negotiated the release of American journalist Danny Fenster in Myanmar last year. In other words, Richardson is a weathered diplomat who has held many offices as a public servant. In fact, Richardson has served in the US House of Representatives and as the Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration. Richardson, a life-long Democrat, also served as the chairman of the 2004 Democratic Convention. The former governor ran to be the Democratic nominee in the 2008 presidential elections. However, he had to drop out eventually due to poor showing. Watch this Story: Stephen Currys Brother Seth Curry: What is his net worth? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/nba-basketball-news-stephen-currys-brother-seth-curry-what-is-his-net-worth/] Do you think Brittney Griner can evade prison in Russia? Comment your thoughts below. 

A former member of the US Congress is set to visit Moscow in the upcoming weeks to negotiate the release of Brittney Griner.

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Democratic Party Veteran Travelling to Russia in Biggest Move Yet to Free Brittney Griner

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<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Brittney Griner 2023: Net Worth, Salary, Endorsements, and More</strong></h2>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner Net Worth 2023</b></h2>
Brittney Griner is a WNBA center who has played for the Phoenix Mercury for 10 seasons. Griner was the Number 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft after playing four years of college basketball with the Baylor Lady Bears.

<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner holds an estimated net worth of $5 million. She has accumulated this net worth through basketball, deals and endorsements. With the Phoenix Mercury, she has earned approximately $227,000 annually in salary. Since 2013, Griner has amassed a total of over $1.5 million in WNBA earnings during her illustrious ten-year tenure in the league.</span>

[caption id="attachment_1757708" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1757708 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-05-20T022710Z_472112911_MT1USATODAY20705955_RTRMADP_3_WNBA-PHOENIX-MERCURY-AT-LOS-ANGELES-SPARKS.jpg" alt="Brittney Griner" width="1920" height="1411" /> May 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

<span style="font-weight: 400">The 2014 WNBA champion inked a one-year deal worth $165,100 with the Mercury during the 2022-23 offseason. As Griner faced detainment in Russia, the WNBA made a noteworthy decision where she received her complete 2022 salary, which amounted to almost $228,000.</span>

In 2012, Griner received the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. She is the only NCAA basketball player to both score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. In 2012, the three-time All-American was named the AP Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Griner is one of 11 women to receive an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, a FIBA World Cup gold medal, and a WNBA championship.
<h2><b>Brittney Griner's</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> </span><b>Early Life </b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner exhibited her basketball prowess from an early age. She commenced her basketball journey when she was only nine years old, showcasing a natural talent for the sport that would become her passion. Although her family moved around, living in various states, including Oklahoma and Arizona, they ultimately returned to their Texas roots, where she attended Houston's Nimitz High School.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">In her sophomore year, Griner defied expectations by practicing with the boys' basketball team and simultaneously collaborating with a Nimitz football coach to develop her leg strength for dunking. Her remarkable dunks, highlighted in a viral YouTube video during her junior season, captured the attention of basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal, who expressed interest in meeting her.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Following a successful tenure on her high school's varsity basketball team, Brittney Griner garnered widespread recognition from college scouts nationwide. As a result, she received a coveted scholarship offer to join Baylor University's basketball program.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner's family and personal life</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Raised alongside three older siblings (Decarlo Griner, Shkera Griner, and Pier Griner) by parents Sandra and Raymond Griner, her father's role as a two-tour Vietnam War veteran and Harris County deputy sheriff instilled principles of discipline and dedication in her.</span>

Griner <a href="https://www.espn.in/wnba/story/_/id/9185633/brittney-griner-comes-says-just-are" target="_blank" rel="noopener">came out</a> as a lesbian in an interview in February 2013. She has been a trailblazer for the LGBTQ community and her coming out paved the way for many future athletes to do the same. She signed an endorsement deal with Nike in 2013 becoming the first openly gay athlete to be endorsed by the apparel giant. During her first marriage with former Tulsa Shock player Glory Johnson, the couple had two twins, Ava and Solei. Griner and Johnson got divorced in June 2016.

<span style="font-weight: 400">Brittney is currently married to Cherelle Griner. Reportedly, the couple got married in 2019. Cherelle is a former teacher who graduated from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. She passed the bar in April 2023.</span>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Brittney Griner's WNBA career</h2>
In the 2013 WNBA draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Griner as the first overall pick. Griner would flourish in her rookie season, being named a WNBA all-star. In her debut, Griner equaled the WNBA dunk record with two dunks in the same game. The following season, she became the first WNBA player to dunk in a Playoff game. The Phoenix Mercury set the record for most wins in a season as they finished with a record of 29-5. Behind the big 3 of Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, the Mercury won their third championship in franchise history.

[caption id="attachment_1151204" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-1151204 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/rawImage-12-15.jpg" alt="Brittney Griner and Brianna Turner" width="1920" height="1440" /> LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 30: Brittney Griner #42 and Brianna Turner #21 of the Phoenix Mercury talk on the bench in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)[/caption]

Griner would go on to set various records over the next few years, especially on the defensive end. However, the Mercury always came up short in the Playoffs. She is an eight-time Blocks leader and two-time scoring champion. On top of that, she has made the All-Star team nine times in her glittering career.

During the WNBA offseason, Griner played overseas. After playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China for 1 year, Griner signed with <span class="rt-commentedText tooltip tooltip-dotted" title="Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company">UMMC</span> Ekaterinburg in Russia. She won back-to-back championships there along with teammate Diana Taurasi. Following her detention in Russia, she announced she would never play overseas again unless for Team USA.
<h2><b>Brittney Griner's career timeline</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">The 19-year-old Griner led Nimitz High School to the Texas 5A girls' basketball state championship game in 2009, though they fell short. Griner, standing at 6-foot-7, made an astonishing 52 dunks during her senior year, including seven in a single game against Aldine High School.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">During her freshman year at Baylor, Griner set an NCAA single-season record with 223 blocks and became just the seventh women's basketball player to dunk in college.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">In the NCAA title game, Griner contributed 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks as Baylor triumphed over Notre Dame 80-61. Her stellar performance earned her Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">On April 15, 2003, Griner became the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, chosen by the Phoenix Mercury. During the 2016 Olympics, </span><span style="font-weight: 400">Griner played a vital role in securing the U.S.'s sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Rio Games.</span><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1426443 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/220307080329-01-brittney-griner-file.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" />

<span style="font-weight: 400">Furthermore, she also played a significant part in the U.S. winning its seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, leading the U.S. with an average of 16.5 points. On September 12, 2023, she was honored with the AP Co Comeback Player of the Year Award.</span>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Major achievements</h2>
<p style="text-align: left">WNBA champion (2014)
9× WNBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022)
2× WNBA scoring champion (2017, 2019)
8× WNBA blocks leader (2013–2019, 2021)
2× WNBA Peak Performer (2017, 2019)
3× All-WNBA First Team (2014, 2019, 2021)
3× All-WNBA Second Team (2015, 2017, 2018)
2x WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (2014, 2015)
3× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2014, 2015, 2018)
4× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2013)
WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021)
3× Russian National League champion (2015–2017)
4× EuroLeague champion (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021)
Russian Cup winner (2017)
NCAA champion (2012)
NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2012)
AP Player of the Year (2012)</p>
<p style="text-align: left">AP Co Comeback Player of the Year (2023)</p>

<h2 style="text-align: left">Brittney Griner's stats</h2>
Griner <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/g/grinebr01w.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">averaged</a> 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 31 regular season games during the 2023 season. She won the 2014 WNBA Championship by putting up 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks.

Moreover, the 9x WNBA All-Star has so far played 285 WNBA games in her 10-year-long career, averaging <span style="font-weight: 400">17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.5 steals in 254 WNBA games.</span>
<h2>Brittney Griner's Russia arrest</h2>
On February 17, 2022, Griner was arrested on drug charges in Russia. In early May 2022, the U.S. State Department stated that they had determined Griner was being "wrongfully detained", indicating a more aggressive approach toward securing her release.

On May 15, it was reported that the United States and Russia would consider a prisoner swap, with Russia exchanging Griner for international illegal arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had served 10 years of a 25-year federal prison sentence in the United States.

[caption id="attachment_1128491" align="aligncenter" width="612"]<img class="wp-image-1128491 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/gettyimages-1241566619-612x612-1.jpg" alt="Brittney Griner" width="612" height="408" /> US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. - Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)[/caption]

On the second day of her trial, July 7, Griner pled guilty and then said, "<em>But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law.</em>" Griner requested that she be allowed to give testimony to the court as soon as she has had sufficient time to prepare.

On August 4, the court found Griner guilty and sentenced her to nine years in prison. They additionally fined her 1 million rubles (US$16,301).

<span style="font-weight: 400">However, Griner regained her freedom in a high-level prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States, secured in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout on December 8, 2022.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s endorsements</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">The 6’9” Center’s earnings have seen substantial boosts thanks to endorsement deals with renowned brands like Nike, Beats by Dre, and Boost Mobile.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s contracts and bonuses</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Prior to her 10th WNBA season, Griner was a free agent and ultimately signed a 1-year $165,100 contract with the Mercury. Following the failure to qualify for the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, Griner once again became a free agent. Her intentions are to re-sign and stay in Phoenix for the foreseeable future. </span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s car collection</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Griner is very fond of luxury cars. As of 2023, she has a $35,000 Jeep Wrangler, a $140,000 Range Rover Autobiography, and an Audi E-Tron which starts at $74,800.</span>
<h2><b>Brittney Griner’s s</b><b>ocial media accounts</b></h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Active on social media</span></li>
</ul>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Instagram</span></td>
<td><a href="https://www.instagram.com/brittneyyevettegriner/?hl=en"><b>@brittneyyevettegriner</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Twitter</span></td>
<td><a href="https://twitter.com/brittneygriner?lang=en"><b>@brittneygriner</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Facebook</span></td>
<td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrittneyGriner/">Brittney Griner</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Full Name</span></td>
<td>Brittney Yyvette Griner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Popular Name</span></td>
<td>Brittney</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Birth Date</span></td>
<td>October 18, 1990</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Birth Place</span></td>
<td>Houston, Texas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Age</span></td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Height</span></td>
<td>6'9" (2.06 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Weight</span></td>
<td>205 lbs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Parents</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Sandra and Raymond Griner</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Siblings</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Decarlo, Shkera, and Pier</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Nationality</span></td>
<td>American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Ethnicity</span></td>
<td>African American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Net Worth</span></td>
<td>$5 Million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Salary</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">$227,000</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Spouse</span></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400"> Cherelle Griner</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Relationship/Marital Status</span></td>
<td>Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Gender</span></td>
<td>Female</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Children</span></td>
<td>Ava and Solei</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Profession</span></td>
<td>Basketball Player</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner 2023: Net Worth, Salary, Endorsements, and More Brittney Griner Net Worth 2023 Brittney Griner is a WNBA center who has played for the Phoenix Mercury for 10 seasons. Griner was the Number 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft after playing four years of college basketball with the Baylor Lady Bears. Griner holds an estimated net worth of $5 million. She has accumulated this net worth through basketball, deals and endorsements. With the Phoenix Mercury, she has earned approximately $227,000 annually in salary. Since 2013, Griner has amassed a total of over $1.5 million in WNBA earnings during her illustrious ten-year tenure in the league. May 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports The 2014 WNBA champion inked a one-year deal worth $165,100 with the Mercury during the 2022-23 offseason. As Griner faced detainment in Russia, the WNBA made a noteworthy decision where she received her complete 2022 salary, which amounted to almost $228,000. In 2012, Griner received the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. She is the only NCAA basketball player to both score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. In 2012, the three-time All-American was named the AP Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Griner is one of 11 women to receive an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, a FIBA World Cup gold medal, and a WNBA championship. Brittney Griner&#8217;s Early Life  Griner exhibited her basketball prowess from an early age. She commenced her basketball journey when she was only nine years old, showcasing a natural talent for the sport that would become her passion. Although her family moved around, living in various states, including Oklahoma and Arizona, they ultimately returned to their Texas roots, where she attended Houston&#8217;s Nimitz High School. In her sophomore year, Griner defied expectations by practicing with the boys&#8217; basketball team and simultaneously collaborating with a Nimitz football coach to develop her leg strength for dunking. Her remarkable dunks, highlighted in a viral YouTube video during her junior season, captured the attention of basketball icon Shaquille O&#8217;Neal, who expressed interest in meeting her. Following a successful tenure on her high school&#8217;s varsity basketball team, Brittney Griner garnered widespread recognition from college scouts nationwide. As a result, she received a coveted scholarship offer to join Baylor University&#8217;s basketball program. Brittney Griner&#8217;s family and personal life Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Raised alongside three older siblings (Decarlo Griner, Shkera Griner, and Pier Griner) by parents Sandra and Raymond Griner, her father&#8217;s role as a two-tour Vietnam War veteran and Harris County deputy sheriff instilled principles of discipline and dedication in her. Griner came out as a lesbian in an interview in February 2013. She has been a trailblazer for the LGBTQ community and her coming out paved the way for many future athletes to do the same. She signed an endorsement deal with Nike in 2013 becoming the first openly gay athlete to be endorsed by the apparel giant. During her first marriage with former Tulsa Shock player Glory Johnson, the couple had two twins, Ava and Solei. Griner and Johnson got divorced in June 2016. Brittney is currently married to Cherelle Griner. Reportedly, the couple got married in 2019. Cherelle is a former teacher who graduated from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. She passed the bar in April 2023. Brittney Griner&#8217;s WNBA career In the 2013 WNBA draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Griner as the first overall pick. Griner would flourish in her rookie season, being named a WNBA all-star. In her debut, Griner equaled the WNBA dunk record with two dunks in the same game. The following season, she became the first WNBA player to dunk in a Playoff game. The Phoenix Mercury set the record for most wins in a season as they finished with a record of 29-5. Behind the big 3 of Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Candice Dupree, the Mercury won their third championship in franchise history. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA &#8211; SEPTEMBER 30: Brittney Griner #42 and Brianna Turner #21 of the Phoenix Mercury talk on the bench in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 30, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Griner would go on to set various records over the next few years, especially on the defensive end. However, the Mercury always came up short in the Playoffs. She is an eight-time Blocks leader and two-time scoring champion. On top of that, she has made the All-Star team nine times in her glittering career. During the WNBA offseason, Griner played overseas. After playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China for 1 year, Griner signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia. She won back-to-back championships there along with teammate Diana Taurasi. Following her detention in Russia, she announced she would never play overseas again unless for Team USA. Brittney Griner&#8217;s career timeline The 19-year-old Griner led Nimitz High School to the Texas 5A girls&#8217; basketball state championship game in 2009, though they fell short. Griner, standing at 6-foot-7, made an astonishing 52 dunks during her senior year, including seven in a single game against Aldine High School. During her freshman year at Baylor, Griner set an NCAA single-season record with 223 blocks and became just the seventh women&#8217;s basketball player to dunk in college. In the NCAA title game, Griner contributed 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks as Baylor triumphed over Notre Dame 80-61. Her stellar performance earned her Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four. On April 15, 2003, Griner became the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, chosen by the Phoenix Mercury. During the 2016 Olympics, Griner played a vital role in securing the U.S.&#8217;s sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Rio Games. Furthermore, she also played a significant part in the U.S. winning its seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, leading the U.S. with an average of 16.5 points. On September 12, 2023, she was honored with the AP Co Comeback Player of the Year Award. Major achievements WNBA champion (2014) 9× WNBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021, 2022) 2× WNBA scoring champion (2017, 2019) 8× WNBA blocks leader (2013–2019, 2021) 2× WNBA Peak Performer (2017, 2019) 3× All-WNBA First Team (2014, 2019, 2021) 3× All-WNBA Second Team (2015, 2017, 2018) 2x WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (2014, 2015) 3× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2014, 2015, 2018) 4× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2013) WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021) 3× Russian National League champion (2015–2017) 4× EuroLeague champion (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021) Russian Cup winner (2017) NCAA champion (2012) NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2012) AP Player of the Year (2012) AP Co Comeback Player of the Year (2023) Brittney Griner&#8217;s stats Griner averaged 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 31 regular season games during the 2023 season. She won the 2014 WNBA Championship by putting up 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks. Moreover, the 9x WNBA All-Star has so far played 285 WNBA games in her 10-year-long career, averaging 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.5 steals in 254 WNBA games. Brittney Griner&#8217;s Russia arrest On February 17, 2022, Griner was arrested on drug charges in Russia. In early May 2022, the U.S. State Department stated that they had determined Griner was being &#8220;wrongfully detained&#8221;, indicating a more aggressive approach toward securing her release. On May 15, it was reported that the United States and Russia would consider a prisoner swap, with Russia exchanging Griner for international illegal arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had served 10 years of a 25-year federal prison sentence in the United States. US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. &#8211; Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) On the second day of her trial, July 7, Griner pled guilty and then said, &#8220;But there was no intent. I didn&#8217;t want to break the law.&#8221; Griner requested that she be allowed to give testimony to the court as soon as she has had sufficient time to prepare. On August 4, the court found Griner guilty and sentenced her to nine years in prison. They additionally fined her 1 million rubles (US$16,301). However, Griner regained her freedom in a high-level prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States, secured in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout on December 8, 2022. Brittney Griner’s endorsements The 6’9” Center’s earnings have seen substantial boosts thanks to endorsement deals with renowned brands like Nike, Beats by Dre, and Boost Mobile. Brittney Griner’s contracts and bonuses Prior to her 10th WNBA season, Griner was a free agent and ultimately signed a 1-year $165,100 contract with the Mercury. Following the failure to qualify for the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, Griner once again became a free agent. Her intentions are to re-sign and stay in Phoenix for the foreseeable future. Brittney Griner’s car collection Griner is very fond of luxury cars. As of 2023, she has a $35,000 Jeep Wrangler, a $140,000 Range Rover Autobiography, and an Audi E-Tron which starts at $74,800. Brittney Griner’s social media accounts Active on social media   Instagram @brittneyyevettegriner  Twitter @brittneygriner  Facebook Brittney Griner    Full Name Brittney Yyvette Griner  Popular Name Brittney  Birth Date October 18, 1990  Birth Place Houston, Texas  Age 33  Height 6&#8217;9&#8243; (2.06 m)  Weight 205 lbs  Parents Sandra and Raymond Griner  Siblings Decarlo, Shkera, and Pier  Nationality American  Ethnicity African American  Net Worth $5 Million  Salary $227,000  Spouse  Cherelle Griner  Relationship/Marital Status Married  Gender Female  Children Ava and Solei  Profession Basketball Player

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