WNBA Star, Who “Loved Playing” in Russia, Urges Compassion for Brittney Griner Amid Continued Detention

WNBA star DeWanna Bonner urged Russia to show some compassion to her former Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner. Bonner stated on Instagram that she enjoyed her time playing basketball in Russia and still loves her Russian fans. However, she hopes Russia will display some empathy for the detained WNBA icon Brittney Griner.

Bonner played for the Russian basketball clubs Dynamo Kursk and Nadezhda Orenburg for about six-seven years. In fact, she admitted in an Instagram reels video that she enjoyed her time in Russia playing for the two clubs. She also expressed her love and gratitude to her Russian fans for their support.

In the meantime, the two-time WNBA champion urged the Russian authorities to be lenient on Brittney Griner during her ongoing trial. In other words, Bonner requested her Russian fanbase to extend their support for Griner’s safe passage home.

WNBA star urges Russia to send Brittney Griner home

Dewanna Bonner played with Brittney Griner in Phoenix Mercury for about six years. The two All-Star caliber players secured the 2014 WNBA championship for the Arizona franchise.

In 2019, Bonner left the desert to play for the Russian club Dynamo Kursk. After spending a year there, she returned to the WNBA in 2020. Currently, she plays for the Eastern Conference team Connecticut Sun.

“The fans-I still love to this day,” the four-time WNBA All-Star said in the video. “And the support I had was amazing.”

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In the caption of her video, Bonner wrote, “Like so many athletes, I loved my time competing in Russia and I hope they will show compassion to Brittney Griner.”

Russian courts deliver a nine-year sentence to Brittney Griner

Meanwhile, Russian courts have sentenced Brittney Griner to nine years in prison. After the sentencing, President Joe Biden issued a strong statement condemning the verdict.

However, President Biden assured the American people in his statement that his people are working tirelessly to bring Griner home. Meanwhile, the possibility of a potential prisoner swap has been circulating in the media.

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Media reports have floated the name of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who’s currently serving a lengthy sentence on American soil. However, the Kremlin is yet to give a green signal to any such dealings.