WNBA star Brittney Griner is all over the news currently. However, the reason for her fame is not her actions on the basketball court. After a recent hearing by a Russian court, the Phoenix Mercury star has been detained in Russia.
This started all the way back in February when Griner was detained in a Russian airport. The officials found her carrying illegal substances which led to her arrest. Although she has confessed to carrying the drugs, Griner has clarified that it was unintentional and she never meant it in the first place. (Source: CBS Sports)
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Griner said, “I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law.” Her arrest has led to calls from the basketball world and beyond to try and save her situation.
One of the biggest names that came to Griner’s support is Los Angeles Lakers star and 4 time NBA champion LeBron James. LeBron let his thoughts known on Twitter and he received a lot of backlashes while also receiving praise for speaking out.
Facing hardships is nothing new for Griner. Her sexual identity has brought in a lot of hate towards her for the entirety of her career and also while growing up.
During Griner’s school days, she was bullied mercilessly for her appearance.” I got teased: the big hands, little bit deep voice, the big feet—just, you know, I got teased. Just thinking, like, Why am I even here? Why am I even alive?” said the WNBA star.
How is Brittney Griner as a player?
Although her physical traits might have invited bullying during growing up, Griner used her gifts to establish herself as one of the best prospects in the country. Griner stands at an incredible 6-foot-8 inches tall which helped her massively.
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She was drafted as the number 1 draft during the 2013 NBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. In her 9 seasons in the NBA, Griner averages 17.7 points, 1.8 assists, and 7.6 rebounds. Moreover, she is a 7-time All-Star and also a two-time Olympic Gold Medallist.
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