Brittney Griner remains stuck in Russia, and her situation continues to get worse with every passing day. The WNBA star has been detained in Russia for over eight months. Moreover, BG is currently being transferred to a Russian penal colony where she will be serving her nine-year sentence. The US government has been working tirelessly to secure Griner’s release. Recently, renowned CBS journalist Sheryl Underwood revealed Shaquille O’Neal’s unheard role in Brittney Griner’s basketball journey, while urging the people to continue talking about the 2014 WNBA champ.

Griner and O’Neal share some fascinating similarities. Both have been one of the most dominating centers in their respective leagues. Griner is 6’9, while Shaquille O’Neal is 7’1 tall. Both basketball stars have been subjected to overly aggressive tactics by opponents to compensate for their massive physiques. However, BG and Shaq continued to fight through it and became undisputed veterans in the game.

O’Neal heard of Brittney Griner‘s talent when he was with the Phoenix Suns and also met the eight-time All-Star before her WNBA debut. Eventually, Griner was picked up as the first overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury team in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

Shaquille O’Neal notices the work ethic of Brittney Griner

Reporter Sheryl Underwood recently claimed that Griner’s work ethic led to the start of her bond with the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Shaquille O’Neal. BG has always been keen on becoming better. She evolved her game massively in a matter of years before making it to the WNBA.

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Underwood said,?” When Brittney was playing in high school, I think. She took some football training so that she could strengthen her legs, and she was dunking by her sophomore year which caused Shaquille to notice her, and that’s how they established a relationship.”

?Underwood also shed some light on how Shaquille O’Neal noticed Griner after noticing her unshaken dedication to becoming better than the rest.?

Underwood calls on fellow Americans to support Griner

Sheryl Underwood suggested that Griner’s work ethic was unmatched in the game. Subsequently, she went on to urge her fellow Americans to keep talking about BG’s situation with the country’s leaders and demand the return of the citizens stuck in Russia.

The four-time NBA champ Shaq has also advocated for Griner’s freedom since she was first detained in February. Currently, Griner finds herself in a terrible situation after a Russian court denied her recent appeal for leniency. The 32-year-old is being moved to a penal colony where she is likely to face some testing times.

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Thus, Sheryl Underwood was extremely vocal about remembering the WNBA star and reminding the leaders to get Brittney Griner out of Russia soon.